Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman discuss being infantilised in Hollywood

Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman share their experiences of being treated like children despite years in Hollywood

Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman have discussed being infantilised in Hollywood, explaining how their experiences as child actors and petite stature can affect the way people treat them as adults.

The actresses star together in The Gallerist, a dark comedy thriller directed and co-written by Cathy Yan. In Portman’s Vogue cover story, the pair reflected on the challenges of being taken seriously after beginning their careers at a young age.

Portman, who began her film career as a teenager in Léon: The Professional, said people continue to treat her differently because of her height and early experience in the industry.

“I mean, I'm 45. I'm fully nowhere near being a child anymore,” Portman said. “Just being small, I think a lot of people relate to you differently. I think that that compounds the issue too when you have been a kid actor.”

Ortega, who began acting at nine, said she understood Portman’s experience. The Wednesday star explained that people who first encountered her as a young performer can struggle to recognise her as an adult.

“It can be a little bit jarring because people speak at you differently,” Ortega said. She added that it could be difficult for people to stop treating former child actors as though they do not understand what they are talking about.

Working with Portman helped Ortega realise she was not alone in facing the issue. However, she also recognised that it might continue throughout her career.

In a May 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Ortega described feeling underestimated because of her age, appearance and previous roles.

“It's always been really annoying, because you just don't feel like you're being taken seriously,” she said.

Portman has also suggested that some former child actors develop a serious public persona to encourage others to see them as adults.

Their upcoming film, The Gallerist, explores the art world, with Portman playing a gallery owner and Ortega portraying her assistant. The film is scheduled for release on December 4 2026.