Time moves fast in Hollywood, but for some reason, people are always scratching their heads trying to figure out how old is Jenna Ortega now. Maybe it’s because she’s been on our screens since she was a literal child. Or maybe it’s the fact that she can play a high schooler one day and a gritty, mature lead the next without breaking a sweat.
Honestly, it feels like just yesterday she was the middle child in a Disney sitcom, but the calendar doesn’t lie. As of right now, in January 2026, Jenna Ortega is 23 years old.
She’ll be hitting that 24-year milestone later this year on September 27. She’s officially deep into her twenties, even if the "Gen Z Scream Queen" title makes her feel like she’s still the teenager we met in Scream or The Fallout.
Breaking Down the Timeline: From Coachella Valley to Global Fame
Jenna Marie Ortega was born on September 27, 2002. She grew up in the Coachella Valley—Palm Desert, specifically—and basically decided she wanted to act when she was only six. Her mom, Natalie, actually tried to steer her toward other things like soccer (classic parent move), but Jenna wasn’t having it.
Eventually, her mom posted a video of her doing a monologue on Facebook, a casting director saw it, and the rest is history. By the time she was nine, she was already booking commercials.
If you look back at her early career, the "how old is Jenna Ortega now" question gets even more confusing because she was everywhere. She played young Jane in Jane the Virgin when she was just a kid. Then she spent her early teens, from ages 13 to 15, starring as Harley Diaz in Disney’s Stuck in the Middle.
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The Transition Years
Transitioning from "Disney kid" to "serious actor" is a minefield, but she handled it better than most. Most people forget she was only 17 when she showed up in season two of You as Ellie Alves. By the time she was 20, she had already starred in X, Scream, and became a household name with Wednesday.
Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her Age
There’s a weird phenomenon with actors who start young. We tend to freeze them in time. People still associate Jenna with the pigtails and the deadpan stare of Wednesday Addams, a character who is technically a teenager.
In reality, Jenna has been a producer on her projects and is taking on roles that are much more adult. Just look at the stuff she’s been doing lately. She’s currently 23, but her resume looks like someone who’s been in the industry for forty years.
Recent Milestones and 2026 Projects
It’s been a massive year for her already. Just a few days ago, on January 11, 2026, we finally got confirmation on her massive new project with J.J. Abrams. It’s titled The Great Beyond (formerly known as Ghostwriter), and she’s starring alongside Glen Powell. That movie is slated for a big IMAX release on November 13, 2026.
She's also juggling:
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- The Gallerist: A dark comedy with Natalie Portman.
- Klara and the Sun: Playing the titular robot character directed by Taika Waititi.
- Wednesday Season 2: Which, let’s be real, is what everyone is actually waiting for.
Basically, she’s 23 and already one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. She was even on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list back in 2024 when she was only 21.
Common Misconceptions About Jenna’s Age
You'll often see people claim she's older because of her "goth glam" style or the way she carries herself in interviews. Fashion critics often describe her as "wise beyond her years." Even her co-stars constantly mention how mature she is on set.
But no, she isn't 25 or 26 yet. She’s a 2002 baby.
Another thing that trips people up is her height. She’s about 5 feet 1 inch. In Hollywood, being petite often helps actors play younger roles for much longer than they actually are. She could probably play a 16-year-old for another five years if she wanted to, but she seems much more interested in "mature" scripts these days.
What's Next for the 23-Year-Old Star?
Looking at the 2026 schedule, Jenna isn't slowing down. She’s already wrapped filming on The Great Beyond, which shot in Edinburgh and Rhode Island last year. Between the J.J. Abrams sci-fi flick and her work with A24, she’s successfully moved out of the "teen star" bracket.
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If you’re keeping track of her age for future releases:
- Late 2026: She will be 24 when The Great Beyond hits theaters.
- 2027: She'll likely be 25 by the time we see the full rollout of her next wave of indie projects.
Honestly, the best way to keep up with her is to look at her production credits. She isn't just showing up for hair and makeup anymore; she's actively shaping the stories she tells.
If you want to stay updated on her latest projects or fashion looks, keeping an eye on the trades like Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter is your best bet. Or just wait for the next viral dance—though she’s joked in interviews that she’s probably retired from those for a while.
Check out the official trailers for her upcoming 2026 films as they drop, and maybe re-watch The Fallout if you want to see the performance that really proved she was more than just a Disney star.