In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, actress Jenna Ortega opens up about her struggles as a Hispanic actor in Hollywood and the pressures to conform to conventional beauty standards.
Ortega, known for her role in Scream VI, reflects on the challenges of auditioning as a child actor, where roles often pigeonhole individuals into playing younger versions or someone's daughter. For Ortega, who hails from Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, the limited opportunities for leading Hispanic actors created barriers in her early career.
She shares the difficulty of hearing that her appearance, something beyond her control, became a hindrance to securing roles. This realization took a toll on her self-esteem, leading her to contemplate conforming to the industry's expectations, such as dying her hair blonde to fit a certain image.
Despite the initial challenges, Ortega has undergone a journey of self-love and acceptance. She recognizes the impact her journey can have on others, stating, "I don’t want other young girls to look up at the screen and feel like they have to change their appearance to be deemed beautiful or worthy."
Ortega emphasizes her commitment to using her platform to advocate for greater representation of Hispanics in the entertainment industry. Her goal is to empower people of Latin descent to see themselves on screen, breaking down stereotypes and opening doors for others.
In candidly sharing her experiences, Jenna Ortega adds her voice to the ongoing conversation about diversity, representation, and the need for change in Hollywood's beauty standards.
