The idea that celebrities are exactly like the characters they portray on stage, screen, or in the media in their personal lives is pretty silly, but plenty of people still believe it. Because of this misguided view, fans often end up disappointed or even infuriated when they discover their favorite star has a certain habit or viewpoint they don’t agree with or never imagined. Take, for instance, the reaction to video of “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega smoking. The actress is far from the only person with a cigarette addiction, but fans are having an absolute meltdown over the footage on social media.
A short clip of Ortega posted to Twitter on Wednesday, May 24 went viral with more than 30 million views in just a few days. That’s because the actress is puffing away on a cigarette while chatting with a friend. It’s not all that memorable or special, but the smoking is really getting Jenna Ortega fans’ panties in a twist.
“WTF JENNA SMOKES? NOOO,” the clip was captioned, and while that might seem a bit extreme, that’s a view mirrored by plenty of her other followers.
WTF JENNA SMOKES? NOOO pic.twitter.com/ywhjBonf4j
— ☀️ (@wstgoat7) May 24, 2023
“NOOOOOO. F*CKKKK NOOOOOO. GOD WHY? WHY GOD? HAVNT WE SUFFERED ENOUGH? NOOOOOOOOO,” a second fan wrote. However, a third took a slightly more pragmatic approach, writing, “Legit don’t understand why anybody chooses to actively smoke cigarettes after the general social shift away from them, like 20+ years ago.”
However, the more intense responses continued, with another fan writing, “WHAT IS MY QUEEN DOING!? I THOUGHT SHE WAS PERFECT…”
Well, there’s your first issue! The lionization of celebrity culture is giving people ridiculous and unfair assumptions and expectations for celebrities. Guess what: Entertainers don’t owe you shit, people! Their job is to entertain you. When the camera stops rolling or their concert ends or whatever, their job is done. Their part of the contract is fulfilled. You aren’t entitled to anything else! Thinking you know them or that they should be beholden to your bizarre and unhealthy ideals for people you don’t even know in real life is your problem, not theirs. Seek help!
Thankfully, there were a few more level-headed folks among the melee, with one person simply posing, “Oh. She smokes. Okay.” A second person quipped, “People when adults do normal legal things” with a shocked face emoji. A third person remarked, “Who cares if she smokes? Just ‘cause she’s a celebrity doesn’t mean anything.”
We all need to take a deep breath and get a grip.
