Hollywood, CA – Actress Jenna Ortega has officially addressed and dismissed the viral rumors that linked her romantically to actor Johnny Depp. The 21-year-old Wednesday star called the claims “ridiculous” and confirmed that she has never even met the 60-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean icon.
The dating speculation began circulating in 2023 after gossip site Deuxmoi posted an anonymous submission alleging that Ortega and Depp were spotted together and even working on the same project — namely Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 (officially titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice). The post quickly went viral, leading to a wave of fan theories, memes, and online commentary about the significant age gap between the two.
But Ortega has now broken her silence.
In a recent interview with BuzzFeed, she described the moment co-star Richard E. Grant jokingly asked her about the rumor on set:
“He looked at me and went, ‘So you and Johnny?’ And I said, ‘What are you talking about?’”
Ortega recalls being stunned, adding: “That is so ridiculous. I don’t know that person.”
The actress was visibly frustrated by how quickly the public and even some in the industry believed and spread false information without verification. “This industry can be so weird sometimes,” she added.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Johnny Depp also released an official statement shortly after the rumors surfaced, making it clear that there is absolutely no truth to the claims.
“Mr. Depp has never met or spoken to Ms. Ortega. There is no professional or personal relationship between them whatsoever,” the rep said, calling the rumors “completely untrue, malicious, and made up for attention.”
Context and Public Reaction
The absurdity of the rumor caused a wave of reactions on social media — from outrage to humor — with many fans defending Ortega, highlighting the importance of respecting young actresses’ boundaries in an era of viral misinformation.
Ortega’s name has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to her breakout role in Netflix’s Wednesday, a revival of The Addams Family franchise directed by Tim Burton. Her gothic, witty portrayal of Wednesday Addams turned her into a global Gen Z icon.
She is also part of the cast for Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to the cult classic Beetlejuice (1988), fueling additional speculation after the Depp rumor emerged. However, Warner Bros. has not announced any involvement from Johnny Depp in the project.
A Call for Responsible Reporting
This incident reignites the conversation around the dangers of anonymous gossip accounts, especially when they involve young women in Hollywood. False narratives can spread fast, impacting both personal reputations and public perception.
Jenna Ortega’s response serves as a reminder that not everything online deserves to be treated as fact. As she continues to grow into one of the industry’s most promising talents, the media — and the public — owe her the same level of respect and scrutiny they would offer any seasoned actor.
