Jenna Ortega, star of Wednesday and one of Hollywood’s most beloved rising stars, recently joined the Heart Evening Show to promote her new film Death of a Unicorn. The conversation started off light. She was asked about her evening routine and how she unwinds after a long day.
Instead of a typical response, Jenna’s answer opened the door to something deeper: her experience living with OCD.
“I have pretty intense OCD,” she shared. “Repetitive thoughts and counting everything multiple times and having to do the same action over and over.”
She went on to describe how, after a long day of work, the nights don’t always bring rest.
“Sometimes my nights consist of just being really exhausted and going up and down the stairs six times because that’s what I think I need to do to make sure no one breaks into my home.”
For people with OCD, these kinds of repetitive behaviors and fears can take over your life. That’s the grip of magical thinking, a type of OCD where the brain insists that certain rituals (like flipping a light switch or walking a specific number of times) will prevent something bad from happening. Even when it doesn’t make sense—even when you know it isn’t rational—the fear still feels real.
For people with demanding schedules like Jenna—constantly traveling, forming short-term routines, and trying to stay productive—OCD can feel even harder to manage. When you’re exhausted, the compulsions hit harder.
The good news? All subtypes of OCD, including magical thinking, are highly treatable no matter how busy you are.
That’s why it’s so meaningful when public figures like Jenna Ortega speak openly about what OCD really is. When celebrities share their experiences on big platforms, it chips away at shame and misunderstanding—and it opens the door for others to recognize their own symptoms, feel less alone, and reach out for help. It’s a reminder that even the people we admire most can face the same mental health struggles, and that treatment is not only possible, but life-changing.
At NOCD, we specialize in treating magical thinking and other subtypes of OCD with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy—the most effective, evidence-based treatment available. If Jenna’s story resonates with you or someone you love, know this: there is hope. And you are not alone.
Read more about magical thinking OCD and how to find proper care and support.