Jenna Ortega’s star is rising, with no sign of slowing down. The 15-year-old beauty stars in Disney Channel’s popular series “Stuck in the Middle” which is on its third season. She also plays ‘Young Jane’ in the Golden Globe winning series, “Jane the Virgin,” and has a new film coming out called “Saving Flora,” where she plays a young girl who runs away with her pet circus elephant to save her from being put down.
Jenna is proudly hispanic, and comes from a big family. She is the fourth of six children! She is also active in causes important to her, such as UNAIDS and other AIDS awareness organizations. We got the chance to ask her a few questions, scroll down for our Q&A!
Hi Jenna, nice to e-meet you! Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you like to do when not acting.
Hi! Nice to e-meet you too, haha. I’m 15 years old and I come from a big family. When I’m not acting, I love to spend time with my friends and family back home, tumble, and watch movies.
Cool. Now, “Stuck in the Middle” is on its 3rd season..how has that role changed your life?
This role has been a dream come true! It has come with an amazing platform and other really cool opportunities that I didn’t have before and I couldn’t be more grateful.
You’ve got a new movie coming up called “Saving Flora.” Tell us about it and your role in it.
Saving Flora is about my character Dawn running away from the circus with her elephant Flora. Flora is too old to perform in the circus and Dawn’s father plans on putting her down because she costs too much to keep around. Dawn wants to get Flora to an elephant preserve because she’s her best friend and doesn’t want her to die. But since her father doesn’t support this idea, Dawn has no choice but to get Flora there on her own.
What was the best part about filming it?
Working with an elephant, of course! The elephant’s name was Tai, and she was a sweetheart. She had such a fun personality and was treated like a princess.
When’s it coming out?
I don’t really know yet, but sometime this year for sure. Maybe summer?
What’s been the biggest challenge for you as an actress so far?
For the first few years of my career, I didn’t get many auditions. You can only be as good as your opportunities. It’s taken time for me and my mom to navigate through some of the obstacles of getting a really great team behind me, but I’m glad to say that we’re finally here.
And the most rewarding moment?
Representing Latinas!
Looking back on what you have done in showbiz so far, if you could do one thing over again and change it, what would it be?
I wish I could go back and not take certain rejections so seriously. You hear more no’s then yes’s in the business, and most of them didn’t bother me, but a few of the no’s really messed me up and ruined my self-esteem.
Dream role?
Super Hero! I haven’t seen a Latina super hero yet…
Okay I know you are a mix of two cool latino ancestries, Mexican and Puerto Rican…which part of each culture do you like most?
I love both my Mexican and Puerto Rican roots. Family, food and music are important to both my cultures and therefore important to me. I also love the vibrant colors used in the art.
What’s your beauty routine like? Any tips or secrets?
My beauty routine consists of African Black Soap, Witch Hazel, Rose Water, and essential oils. And as far as the tip goes, use tea tree oil for problem spots.
What do your prefer in a guy: smart or funny? Why? (gotta pick ONLY one)
Oooo… smart. I can be the funny one!
Favorite book?
IT by Stephen King
Biggest pet peeve?
Fake people!
Biggest guilty pleasure? (shhh…no one will find out, except our readers lol)
Dark chocolate
Most awkward experience?
I once threw up in the middle of a conversation with a boy I had a crush on…
In a Buzzfeed Q&A, you said you don’t you like the word “moist?” Why not? You’re the second person I know who doesn’t like this word, what’s up with that? : )
It’s just gross! Even when you say it, it feels gross.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
I always know when it’s 9:27. It doesn’t matter if its AM or PM, and I don’t even have to look at the clock. It creeps my family out because I was born on that day, so they’re always calling me a bruja (that’s the Spanish word for witch, hahaha).
Thanks to Jenna for answering our Qs. Make sure to watch Stuck in the Middle on Disney, and keep an eye out for Saving Flora!
