Jenna Ortega reveals Obama inspired her to become president as a child: 'I would write him letters'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Jenna Ortega said that when she was younger, she wanted to be president of the United States. She added that her interest in politics as a child was sparked by former President Barack Obama.

During a conversation with Kid Cudi, Ortega spoke about her early goals and how her admiration for Obama shaped her thinking when she was younger. The conversation offered a glimpse into what she enjoyed doing as a child before becoming an actress.

Jenna Ortega wrote letters to Obama

Ortega said during the conversation that she became very interested in politics at around six years old, which was around the time Obama became president in 2009.

She described herself as a "huge fan" and said she would write him letters to express how much she admired him.

"Well, when I was younger, I wanted to do everything, and I thought I was going to do everything. When I was six, I was really into politics, and Obama got inaugurated that year, so I would write him letters, 'Hey, love your work. Can I come to the White House?' pretty much, and he never responded.”

Ortega said the letters often asked for visits to the White House, where she hoped to learn more about how the presidency worked. She added that she saw the Oval Office as a future workplace and wanted to "familiarize" herself with what the job would be like.

“I used to think it was a crush of some sorts, but I just wanted his job.”

“I wanted to go to the White House to get an understanding of, okay, the Oval Office is going to be my space. I need to familiarize myself with codes and whatnot. Yeah, he never responded to me.”

Jenna Ortega recalls changing career goals

She added that she never received a response, which led her to try another approach. Ortega said she began writing to Oprah Winfrey after seeing a photo of her with Obama, asking for help in getting in touch with the president.

“And then I started writing Oprah because I saw a photo of them together in a magazine. And I was like, hey, Oprah, I know you know Obama. He's not getting back to me. I know you know Obama.”

“And I would give them to my mom, but because no one replied, and fair enough, they're busy.”

Ortega said that at the time, she believed she would eventually become president, calling it one of her many childhood dreams. Later, she began to reconsider that path.

She said she briefly considered becoming an astronaut but found the process difficult and time-consuming. In the end, Ortega said she wanted something more immediate, which led her to pursue acting.  

“But anyway, thought I was going to be the president. That wasn't working out. And then I thought I was going to be an astronaut.” “I needed something that was instant. And then for a long time when I was younger, I thought that all TV was reality TV.”