Jenna Ortega Pulls a Boss Move When Photographers Tell Winona Ryder to Take Her Sunglasses Off in Venice

Mar. 15, 2025

Jenna Ortegawill not tolerate any shade toward her costarWinona Ryder.

During a photocall forBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceat the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 28, Ortega, 21, proved how endearing her and Ryder’s bond is in real life with one small but sweet move.

TheStranger Thingsstar contemplated taking off her eyewear — until Ortega assured her it was completely okay to leave them on if she wanted to. In the clip, theWednesdayactress appeared to say, “No, you don’t have to."

Jenna Ortega defends Winona Ryder from paparazzi during “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” photocall.Gisela Schober/Getty

Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega are seen at the arrivals to the photocall of “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024 at the pier of the Palazzo del Casino in Venice, Italy

Gisela Schober/Getty

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Fans have gotten to see plenty of the duo at the film festival while they’re promoting theBeetlejuicesequel (Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz and Ortega joins as her daughter Astrid Deetz).

Like many stars who’ve gone down the road ofmethod dressing, both of them, particularly Ortega, have really leaned into the goth aesthetic of their characters.

Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega at the “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” photocall.Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega arrive at the Palazzo del Casino at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024 in Venice, Italy.

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty

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When they hit the red carpet for the movie premiere in Venice on Aug. 28, Ortega honored Lydia’s iconic red wedding dress from the 1988 film in a Dior Haute Couture two-piece ensemble. Ryder wore a Chanel tuxedo gown with a floor-skimming skirt.

Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder at the “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” premiere in Venice.Andreas Rentz/Getty

Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder attend a red carpet for the movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” during the 81st Venice International Film Festival at on August 28, 2024 in Venice, Italy.

Andreas Rentz/Getty

In anAug. 21 interviewforThe New York Times’The Interviewpodcast, Ortega considered herself “really, really lucky to work with incredible actresses who definitely had a harder upbringing” and called Ryder a “mentor” figure.

“She was so warm and welcoming and kind and inviting right from the jump, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Ortega said, adding that the veteran actress made her feel “beautiful and special.”

source: people.com