Jenna Ortega made it in Netflix’s new hit show Wednesday, but there’s one detail that got fans upset. In the series, directed by Tim Burton, Ortega, who plays the eponymous character, performs her craziest moves at a Rave ‘N Dance to the beat of The Cramps’ 1981 song “Goo Goo Muck.”
However, the actor revealed in a recent interview with NME that she had COVID while performing the dance number.
“I’m not a dancer and I’m sure that’s obvious. I got the song about a week before and just got out everything I could… it’s crazy because it was my first day with COVID so it was horrible to film,” she told the outlet.
In response to a follow-up question, Ortega replied, “Yes, I woke up and — it’s weird, I never get sick and when I do, it’s not very bad — I had body aches,” then describing other common COVID symptoms like a sore throat.
She added, “They gave me medication between shots because we were waiting for the positive result.”
Ortega also told NME that she asked to reshoot the scene but was turned down due to time constraints.
While Ortega’s flippancy in discussing the matter implied it was a light-hearted story that (hopefully) claimed no victims, people online were shocked by the production team’s decision to shoot their film in inclement weather.
“Jenna Ortega filming an entire scene while awaiting her Covid test results and doing so with obvious symptoms is not ‘professional’, it’s just completely irresponsible.” tweeted a user.
Other said, “That Jenna Ortega has COVID on set and is working unmasked with other unmasked cast members is not an inflection. She shouldn’t be credited for “working sick.” The crew above the line might have disabled or killed someone for their irresponsibility.
One third wrote, “I see so many people responding to the discovery that Jenna Ortega had COVID while filming the dance scene, they’re like, ‘omg how devoted is she?!’ react. when my first reaction upon hearing it was absolute horror for her and those around her.”
A representative from MGM, the production studio behind it Wednesdaysaid decision maker An email said, “Strict COVID protocols were followed and as soon as the positive test was confirmed, Jenna was removed from production.”
Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix.