Jenna Ortega's return to the red carpet for Netflix' Wednesday Season 2 premiere was far from ordinary, and the internet took notice. Dressed in a sculptural snakeskin gown, with bleached brows and slicked-back hair, the 22-year-old made a dramatic entrance. But it wasn't the outfit that set social media ablaze. It was her face. Fans and critics were stunned by what many described as a 'completely different' appearance. Tweets flooded in, pointing to noticeably sharper cheekbones, a slimmer jawline and a near-vacant expression. Some attributed the transformation to heavy contouring, while others speculated that the actress may have undergone buccal fat removal.
The most viral reactions did not hold back. Many users accused Ortega of succumbing to Hollywood's pressure to alter her natural looks. The conversation swiftly shifted from fashion to facial structure, with dozens of posts questioning whether the change was due to surgery or simply a makeup misfire. Others rushed to her defence, arguing that harsh lighting and styling choices were to blame for the stark difference in her normally expressive features. Some even likened her appearance to AI filters and deepfakes, noting how drastically her face seemed to differ from past public appearances.
The Online Reaction:
Jenna Ortega looks horrible after her buccal fat removal. 😞 pic.twitter.com/orgc9WEHoR
— AlphaFoX (@Alphafox78) August 1, 2025
Jenna Ortega makeup artist needs to be fired IMMEDIATELY pic.twitter.com/EVt3HXrOEa
— kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) July 31, 2025
Whoever created buccal fat removal should be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity pic.twitter.com/RJNFpiqCsf
— Kangmin Lee | 이강민 (@kangminjlee) July 31, 2025
It is absolutely wild that these two pictures are the same person. https://t.co/vz4NTCkEYa pic.twitter.com/6PxAZzp6yn
— The Critical Drinker (@TheCriticalDri2) July 31, 2025
men will never understand how this is serving actually https://t.co/LbgDorFEnw
— ☆ (@M1SSILIAMORI) July 31, 2025
the difference between women and men’s reaction on this look… this is actually the best she’s ever looked. https://t.co/y4e3e6MdxC
— pop culture gal (@allurequinn) July 31, 2025
or maybe she got older omg😭u can see the angle of her cheekbones naturally there in the first picture, she just lost her babyface https://t.co/SleTSbd3ev
— jill scott heron🪐 (@stillnotziora) July 31, 2025
It's not the first time a female celebrity's appearance has become the internet's punching bag, but the scrutiny surrounding Ortega feels particularly intense given her age, fame, and the eerie persona she's known for portraying. In past interviews, the actress has spoken candidly about the 'patronising' expectations placed on young women in Hollywood and her desire to reject them. But as her new look continues to circulate on X and TikTok, one thing is clear: the discourse has moved beyond fashion critiques. People need to chill — and leave these actors alone.
