"In 'On Top of The Globe', readers are taken on a captivating journey through the life and achievements of the talented actress Jenna Ortega. This nonfiction story delves into the rise of Jenna Ortega in the entertainment industry, showcasing her de...
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2012–2017: Early acting roles and Disney
Ortega made her acting debut in the sitcom (2012). She subsequently made an appearance in the episode "" as an accidental shooting victim. In 2013, she made her film debut with a minor role in the superhero film as the vice president's daughter. That same year, Ortega appeared in the horror film as part of the supporting cast. Both were successful at the box office, with the former ranking among the .
From 2014 to 2019, Ortega recurred on comedy television series as a younger version of , who is portrayed by as an adult. Ortega said her audition was not "anything overwhelmingly special" and attributed her casting to her resemblance to Rodriguez. Declan Gallagher of commended Ortega's performance: "she eschews the trappings of a typical child actor. She's knowing without being cute, her delivery natural and, at times, tossed off in a way that veteran performers struggle to master." She also starred in the comedy film (2014) and the series (2015). Ortega appeared in the film (2015) as Anna Chapa. The praised her as "adorable", whereas found her "horribly cloying".
From 2016 to 2018, Ortega led the sitcom as Harley Diaz, an aspiring inventor who is the middle child of the seven siblings. She said booking the role was "one of the best days of my life". Ortega drew inspiration from her own family and relationships with her siblings; she felt her experience starring on the show was akin to . praised her performance, asserting that she "commands this role, pleading her case as a long-suffering middle kid while finding the humor in the many calamities that befall her efforts to shine". Ortega garnered three nominations for Best Young Actor – Television, including a win in 2018. She also voiced Princess Isabel in (2016) and (2016–2020).
2018–2021: Transition to mature roles
n 2018, Ortega starred in the film Saving Flora as the lead role of Dawn, the daughter of a circus owner. She aimed to act in more mature projects following the conclusion of Stuck in the Middle, but found that "[p]eople automatically make the assumption that [Disney roles are] all you can do, or all you were meant for". She considered quitting acting several times, stating she "was too old for the young roles and too young for the older roles". In 2018, Ortega was cast as on the second season of the Netflix thriller series , which was released on December 26, 2019. The season, alike to the first season, received positive reviews, with 's Robyn Bahr noting Ortega as "a standout performer". Retrospectively, Ortega said that the show was "easily one of my favorite sets that I've ever, ever been on" and appreciated that she was given creative freedom. She was slated to return for and seasons but was unable to due to scheduling conflicts.
Ortega played Phoebe in the Netflix horror film , which was released in September 2020 to negative critical reviews. Ortega also voiced Brooklynn in the Netflix animated series (2020–2022). In 2021, she made her writing debut with the book It's All Love. Ortega subsequently starred in the Netflix comedy movie (2021), portraying a stubborn teenager who wants more independence from her parents. She appreciated that the film's representation of since it was shown in "a casual setting where it's acknowledged" in lieu of "shoving it down your throat"; she stated it "could be a really good thing for young people of color to see".Yes Day was released in March 2021 to mixed reviews. lauded Ortega as "very capable", and the referred to her as "an impressively poised young actor".
