Jenna Ortega's younger sister, Aliyah Ortega, has publicly addressed fan concerns regarding the actress's recent weight loss. The comments come after Ortega, 23, appeared gaunt in an Esquire video posted Tuesday, where she disclosed experiencing disordered eating as a child actress.
Aliyah, an influencer, responded to an Instagram post from a fan named Amrita Singh, who pleaded for an end to online criticism and speculation about Ortega's health. Singh wrote that Ortega "doesn't owe anyone an explanation her life is her life, and her body belongs to her." She added that individuals have the right to make personal decisions without judgment or speculation, as "we don't know what she may be going through."
Aliyah Ortega echoed this sentiment in the comments section of Singh's post with a simple "!!!" On the same day, she shared a TikTok video of herself lip-syncing to a song by Ariana Grande, who has also faced scrutiny over her changing physique.
Ortega has previously spoken about her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that medical researchers have linked to eating disorders. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, she described her routines, stating, "I have pretty intense OCD, so I've had the exact same routine for seven years." She explained how deviations from these routines, such as putting on socks in the wrong order, could indicate a bad day, noting that while she acknowledges the apparent silliness, these routines provide her with comfort.
Ortega is preparing for several upcoming projects. She is set to portray a gymnast vying for the Olympics in Mary Bronstein's film "Nasty," scheduled for release next year. Cameras are expected to begin rolling on the project this fall. Before that, audiences will see Ortega as an android in Taika Waititi's dystopian sci-fi film "Klara and the Sun," set to premiere on October 23. The film is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's 2021 novel and also features Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne.
Additionally, Ortega executive produced and reprised her role as a student at Nevermore Academy in the upcoming third season of Netflix's "Wednesday." Her other announced roles include a part in Cathy Yan's "The Gallerist," J. J. Abrams's "The Great Beyond," Leos Carax's "Lily May B," David O. Russell's "Shutout," and a remake of "Single White Female."