Jenna Ortega – Stuck in the Middle

By starrymag | March 30, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) I have a new movie called Saving Flora coming out this year and I have a new project that I’m working on…

 

Q) Please tell us how your character Harley on “Stuck in the Middle” was originally described to you.

 

A) Harley on “Stuck in the Middle” was originally a 12-year-old girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and glasses named Hillary.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

 

A) I wanted to be a part of the show because even though I didn’t look like the character, I related to the character. The show also seemed really cute and being on Disney Channel was a childhood dream of mine, so it seemed like a great opportunity!

 

Q) With the Diaz family being so large, did the cast get to spend much time together before the show started to bond?

 

A) We did, actually! Before filming we had weeks of school, wardrobe fittings and bonding activities to prep for the show.

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite Harley inventions?

 

A) The snow machine, the Slushinator, and obviously the rotating table from the first episode!

 

Q) What are your most memorable moments from filming “Stuck in the Middle?”

 

A) The first time we walked through the set, filming on April Fool’s Day, that one time we shot a scene for seven hours, all of our night shoots, and (of course) filming the Season Three finale.

 

Q) You have great comedic timing. Has that always been natural for you or have you had to work at it?

 

A) Thank you!! I feel like it’s a little bit of both. Some lines come naturally and other lines I have to practice a bunch of different ways until I find the one I like most.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the fan feedback you receive to episodes?

 

A) Yes, I love it! It’s always interesting to see what the fans enjoy about each episode.

 

Q) What originally made you want to be an actress?

 

A) I saw a commercial starring a girl my age and I told my mom I wanted to be in a commercial, too.  That’s literally how all of this started. After that day I became obsessed with the idea of acting.

 

Q) What advice would you give to others who want to start out in the acting business?

 

A) You’re going to deal with a lot of rejection in the industry, it’s a given. Just keep your head up and continue to work hard! Everything happens for a reason. [smiles]

 

Q) What have you taken away from your time working on the show?

 

A) Family isn’t all about DNA. Family is a bond and I grew that bond with the “Stuck in the Middle” cast that I hope we will share for a lifetime.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you all so much and I am so grateful for the support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you guys! You guys mean the world to me and I’m so glad you guys are a part of my acting journey.

 

 

 

Additional Photo Credits:

 

Hair: Gilbert Muniz

Makeup: Anton Khachaturian

Stylist: Enrique Melendez