Jenna Ortega's sister, Aliyah Ortega, has responded to viral fan concerns about the actress's weight loss, urging social media users to respect her privacy. The response came via an Instagram post that Aliyah appeared to co-sign with multiple exclamation points.
The post addressed assumptions being made about Jenna Ortega's health following a recent interview with Esquire. The statement emphasized that Ortega has the right to make personal decisions without judgment or speculation and that privacy is paramount.
Fans' concerns were amplified by Ortega's own comments in the Esquire interview, where she recalled sometimes going without eating or drinking for an entire day on set as a child actor to avoid being perceived as a hindrance. The social media post referenced these comments, noting that the public does not know what Ortega may be going through and should not assume anything based on her appearance or select interview remarks.
"Stop concerning yourselves with her personal life and asking intrusive, unnecessary, and random questions," the post read. "Just leave Jenna alone and allow her to live her life on her own terms."
Ortega, 23, has not directly addressed the online discourse. The public conversation around her appearance occurs shortly after Ariana Grande also faced scrutiny regarding her health.
In the Esquire interview, Ortega also shared details about her early career, including how her parents reacted to her acting aspirations at age 7. She mentioned that initial resistance from her parents, who laughed at her dreams, ironically became a significant motivator. Ortega, known for her role in "Wednesday," also spoke about a period when she considered quitting acting after transitioning from child roles in shows like "Stuck in the Middle" and "Jane the Virgin" to more mature parts. She indicated that booking the role in the Netflix series "You" solidified her decision to continue her acting career.