Though she had just one line, the part led to a bigger role on Jane the VirginDAYS of our Lives fans have recently discovered a major Hollywood star got her start on the long-running soap.
On Thursday, the soap posted a photo of an adorable young actress on their Instagram page, writing, “Takin’ it back to 2013.”
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Jenna Ortega starred on Days of our Lives in 2013 when she was just 10 years oldCredit: NBC
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The actress put her acting chops on display as a lost little girl named HayleyCredit: NBC
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Now a major star, Jenna walked the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival for her film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in SeptemberCredit: Splash
Even longtime viewers were shocked to learn Beetlejuice and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega once played a little girl named Hayley on the show.
Now a major Hollywood star, Jenna was just 10 years old when she appeared on the Peacock show as a child helped by Father Eric and Kristen DiMera, played by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Eileen Davidson.
In a clip once shared on Jenna’s official Facebook page, the young Jenna, as Hayley, looks solemn.
“She lost her mother six months ago,” a woman says in a private room of a church.
“I’m her second cousin, and she’s been with me ever since. She’s very smart, but her grades have slipped lately.”
Jenna remains silent when Father Eric, played by Greg Vaughan, asks her about her favorite subject in school.
“If this was my interview, I would probably do the same thing you’re doing. So if you just want to sit here, I’m totally cool with that,” asks Eileen, who plays the scheming Kristen.
“Why do you think I don’t want to talk?” Jenna retorts.
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The scene ends with a tearful Jenna hugging Eileen in a heartfelt moment.
Many show fans were shocked to learn Jenna got her start on the show.
“I had no idea,” one commented on Instagram.
“So adorable!” said another of baby-faced Jenna.
A third chimed in: “Omg, I forgot all about this!”
“I can’t believe that’s Wednesday Addams,” said a fourth.
BIG BREAK
After her role on Days of our Lives, Jenna played the titular character on Know It All Nina, Harley in Stuck in the Middle, and a young Jane on Jane the Virgin.
She broke into the A-list in 2022 as Wednesday Addams on the Netflix series Wednesday, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Christina Ricci.
Jenna recently starred in Sabrina Carpenter’s music video for Taste, where she made out with the singer as they fought over the same boyfriend.
She also walked the red carpet in London and Venice for her new movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
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Jenna kissed Sabrina Carpenter in the new music video for the singer’s new single TasteCredit: Island Records
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Jenna stunned in a blue gown with dark red lips on the red carpet for the London premiere of Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceCredit: The Mega Agency
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Jenna, as Astrid in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, stars with Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Justin TherouxCredit: PA
