Jenna Ortega Shuts Down Rumors That She Is Dating Johnny Depp: “This Is So Ridiculous, Can’t Even Laugh”
In a recent turn of events, rumors started circulating about a possible romantic involvement between 20-year-old actress Jenna Ortega and the seasoned actor Johnny Depp, who is 60 years old. These rumors were initially sparked by a social media gossip site known as Deux Moi. However, Ortega swiftly and vehemently denied these claims, categorizing them as “ridiculous.”
Deux Moi, known for its disclaimer that the information it shares may not be based in fact, functions as a platform for sharing stories and gossip submitted by individuals who claim to be “in the know.” The site’s anonymous operator stated that their publication’s content is essentially about storytelling, and any information that happens to be newsworthy or current is merely by chance.
The rumor about Ortega and Depp emerged through an Instagram story on Deux Moi, although it has since expired. At that time, Jenna Ortega was in the midst of her second collaboration with renowned director Tim Burton, following their successful work on the Netflix series “Wednesday.” This collaboration was set to continue with a sequel to Burton’s iconic 1988 film, “Beetlejuice.”
On the other hand, Johnny Depp, a favorite of Tim Burton, had also recently gained attention on Netflix with his docuseries “Depp v. Heard.” This series delved into the contentious social media discourse surrounding his libel suit and countersuit against Amber Heard, who was briefly his wife. The release of the series reignited online debates about the abuse claims made by both Depp and Heard, with some of Depp’s passionate fans targeting director Emma Cooper.
Recognizing the potential social media backlash associated with any perceived association with Johnny Depp, Jenna Ortega promptly refuted the claims made on Deux Moi through an Instagram story. In her response, she expressed her frustration with the rumor and stated unequivocally that she had never met or worked with Johnny Depp and requested that the spreading of false information cease.
Apart from the considerable age difference between Ortega and Depp, the dating rumor gained an extra layer of awkwardness due to Ortega’s role in “Beetlejuice 2.” Reports indicated that she would be playing the daughter of Lydia Deetz, a character famously portrayed by Winona Ryder in the original film. Ryder and Depp had a high-profile romance during the late 1980s and the mid-1990s, and they even co-starred in another Tim Burton film, “Edward Scissorhands.”
Depp’s representatives, typically reserved in their statements, also denied any association between Depp and Ortega, emphasizing that there was no personal or professional relationship between the two. They stated that Johnny Depp had never met or spoken to Jenna Ortega and had no intention of collaborating with her. Moreover, they expressed Depp’s dismay at the baseless and malicious rumors that were potentially damaging to his reputation and career.
In light of these developments, one might wonder about the motivations behind Deux Moi and its anonymous publisher. In a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair, the operator of the platform appeared to both relish the power they held over celebrities and be somewhat unfazed by criticism. They noted that many people criticized the content they shared, which they found disheartening, as their intention was merely to share what others had sent them.
In essence, the Jenna Ortega and Johnny Depp dating rumor highlights the speed at which information and speculation can spread through social media and gossip sites, often without regard for its accuracy or the consequences for those involved. It also serves as a reminder of the challenges that celebrities face when navigating the digital age, where rumors and misinformation can quickly tarnish their reputation and careers.