Jenna Ortega broke down in tears while discussing the toxicity of social media in a new interview with Elle Fanning.
The 20-year-old actress - who skyrocketed to stardom late last year for her breakout role in Tim Burton's Wednesday Netflix series - took part in a discussion with Fanning, 25, for Variety, where they spoke about their careers as child stars and the darker side of social media.
Ortega opened up about how she got her start as a Disney Channel actress, and how even as a young teen she often didn't get considered for roles because she didn't have enough social media followers - something Fanning also related to.
"When I was younger, they would take us to media training - Disney 101 or something like that - where they would say, 'You're going to post three times a day. This is how you build followers, engage, promote our show,'" Ortega stated. "You could go into an audition or meeting, and it was 'How many followers do you have?'"
The conversation then moved on to social media, and how both actresses have felt they can't be their true selves online for fear their words or actions will be misinterpreted. "It's such a comparing game. It influences bandwagon mentality. It's very manipulative. After the show, I'm really nervous to post or even say anything on there or even be myself," Ortega admitted.
"Because I naturally tend to be sarcastic or dry, it's very easy for me to find myself in trouble. I want people to be able to get to know the people behind the camera and realize that people should never be put on a pedestal. And the more I've been exposed to the world, people prey on that and take advantage of that," the Pearl actress added.
"They see your vulnerability and twist it in a way that you don't always expect. It's so strange. Sorry, I didn't mean to do this," she continued, beginning to get emotional and tear up.
"I still have this really intense urge to be human and honest and authentic. Another thing about this industry is you get in front of a camera and people want you to be something else - where it's 'Have more energy' or 'Could you smile?' and it just feels gross. And I don't want to feel gross.
"I would rather people see me cry and do whatever than be something I'm not," the Scream actress said.
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