Actors are no doubt shaped and influenced by the characters they play on screen, but sometimes, the synchronicity between the two is so natural that the lines between life and theatre become blurred. Case in point: Jenna Ortega.
In 2022, the young actress had her breakout role as Wednesday in the series of the same name. Like her character, who has a propensity for lace and blacks and hexes, Ortega has embraced goth glam as her primary sartorial mode. At the world premiere of the series, she veered towards the costume end of the spectrum, in a Versace black lace dress—the vision of a corpse bride. For the SAG Awards, she opted for high-octane vintage, in a thigh-high slit leather dress from the Versace archives (1994, to be exact). Naturally, it, too, was all-black. Most recently, at the 2023 Met Gala, Ortega was dressed by Thom Browne in a look which injected some prep into her Victorian gothic look. The corseted dress layered over a crisp white shirt was classic Browne, with a little Ortega twist.
Ortega has been working with the same stylist, Enrique Melendez, since 2014, who has watched her evolution from Disney princess to glamorous, modern screen star. Melendez’s personal favourite look? “She looked so grown-up but yet so natural and elegant in the black sheer Saint Laurent dress at the Critics’ Choice Awards last year, which was our first step into a new fashion vibe,” he told British Vogue. “I can confidently say that that outfit is both of our favourites to date.”
If Ortega’s her upcoming roles are anything to go by, it seems like Ortega will continue her macabre fashion streak. Wednesday has been confirmed for a second season, while she has also been announced as the star of Beetlejuice 2, which will land in 2024, alongside Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder.
Below, see Jenna Ortega’s best goth glam looks to date.
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s “Wednesday” on November 16, 2022.
Jenna Ortega attends The Critics Choice Awards on November 13, 2022.
Jenna Ortega attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty”.
Jenna Ortega outside Valentino during Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022.
Jenna Ortega attends the Saint Laurent Menswear Fall-Winter 2023-2024 show on January 17, 2023.
Jenna Ortega attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 26, 2023.
Jenna Ortega at “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on November 15, 2022.
Jenna Ortega attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023.
Jenna Ortega attends the premiere of “Scream VI” on March 6, 2023.
Jenna Ortega attends the 2022 MTV Awards June 05, 2022.
Jenna Ortega attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”.