Jenna Ortega and Elle Fanning chat about social media and bad auditions in new interview

Young actresses Elle Fanning and Jenna Ortega share their experiences as child stars, auditions, and social media’s dark side

In a recent interview with Variety, actresses Elle Fanning and Jenna Ortega talked about their experiences as child stars, their approaches to auditions, their roles in popular TV series, and the pressures that come with social media fame.

Auditions: Nervousness and Awkwardness

Fanning and Ortega shared stories about their audition experiences, which were often marked by nervousness and awkwardness. Fanning confessed to fainting during one audition, while Ortega recounted an experience where she had to scream during an audition and failed terribly. Both actresses agreed that auditions were nerve-wracking experiences that often made them feel unprepared and under pressure.

Producing: A Way to Empower Themselves

Fanning and Ortega also discussed their roles as producers for upcoming TV series. They talked about how producing was a way to empower themselves and assert their opinions and creativity. Ortega admitted that she wanted to produce the show to ensure she got her character “right”, while Fanning noted that producing her own work was advice she had received early on in her career.

Social Media Madness

Fanning and Ortega also opened up about the ugly side of social media and how they were coping with it. Ortega shared that as a child star, she was often pressured to build her follower count for roles and that social media often triggered feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. Fanning, on the other hand, revealed that she had missed out on a part in the past because of her insufficient social media following. Both actresses agreed that social media could be a toxic place that fuelled bandwagon mentality and manipulative behaviour. They expressed their desire to be true to themselves on social media platforms while also being cautious about exposing their vulnerability.

Protecting One’s Health and Safety

Fanning and Ortega also acknowledged that the pressure to be someone else could be overwhelming in the film industry. They both expressed their desire to be human and authentic while resisting the industry’s urge to mould them. Ortega also spoke of the need to be cautious while being honest and authentic on social media as one’s vulnerability could be preyed upon and twisted. Fanning empathized with Ortega’s predicament and offered a piece of advice, saying “you have to protect yourself, and also just know when to put [social media] away and know it doesn’t matter. That’s not the real world.”

Conclusion

The conversation between Fanning and Ortega gave an insightful view of their world as young actresses. They both expressed empathy, support and encouragement to one another regarding their projects and desires to expand their careers. They advised upcoming actresses to value their creativity, empower themselves, and prioritise their mental health as they navigate the unpredictable waters of social media and the film industry.