60-Year-Old Johnny Depp Responds After 20-Year-Old Jenna Ortega Pleads ‘Leave Us Alone’ Among Dating Rumors

Sep 07, 2023

In 2023, rumor mills in Hollywood were busy churning the tall tale of Johnny Depp, 60, dating 20-year-old actress Jenna Ortega. The two have found themselves at the center of a swirling tempest of new romantic speculations.

Depp, a seasoned actor with a decades-long career, and Ortega, a rising star whose most recent work was for Tim Burton's "Wednesday" series on Netflix, were hit with rumors suggesting an involvement. However, both celebrities have vehemently denied any such relationship, labeling the claims as lies.

The 60-year-old superstar recently enjoyed a seven-minute standing ovation when his film "Jeanne Du Barry" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. Depp acknowledged that he felt canceled in Hollywood following his highly publicized legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard in the previous year. This tumultuous event in his life, which has impacted his career, forced him to reflect on his choices, hinting at a shift away from the Hollywood spotlight as he forges a new path.

Ortega, who started acting as a child in 2012, has worked on horror franchises like "Scream" and "Insidious." Born in California, the young star has a Mexican and Puerto Rican family background. Because she started acting so young, Ortega admitted in a Cosmopolitan interview in 2021 that she didn't have a normal life and never experienced high school, prom or graduation. 

Her portrayal of the macabre teen, Wednesday Addams, has given her fair share of public scrutiny. However, this recent dating rumor with Depp has pushed the boundaries of believability for fans and industry insiders alike.

The dating rumor ignited when the celebrity gossip account Deux Moi alleged, via an expired Instagram Story, that the two actors had been seen together. Notably, no concrete evidence or photographs were provided to support this claim.

Soon after the rumor dropped, Depp’s team quickly issued a statement. 

“Mr. Depp has no personal or professional relationship with Ms. Ortega whatsoever,” the statement read. “He has never met her or spoken to her. He is not involved in any project with her, nor does he intend to be. He is appalled by these baseless and malicious rumors that are intended to harm his reputation and career."

On the other hand, Ortega took to her Instagram Story to set the record straight, confirming that she and the Captain Jack Sparrow actor have never even crossed paths. 

"This is so ridiculous I can't even laugh,” the young star commented. She went on to plead with fans and the public to stop spreading falsehoods. She added, “Leave us alone.”

Some fans had speculated that the two actors might be working together on the upcoming film "Beetlejuice 2," as Ortega is attached to the project. However, reports clarified that Depp is not part of the sequel directed by Burton, who has also worked with the actor many times before. 

Vanity Fair dubbed Deux Moi as an "accidental gossip queen" whose Instagram ignited during the pandemic. The person behind the account, however, has remained anonymous. Known for reposting anonymous tips and gossip, Deux Moi carries a disclaimer stating that "some statements made on this account have not been independently confirmed" and that it "does not claim information published is based in fact."

In June 2023, Ortega opened up about her experiences dealing with the toxic environment on social media. She explained that she is cautious about the content she posts to avoid misinterpretation. She also noted that as her fame has grown, particularly after the release of "Wednesday," she has encountered an increasing amount of online trolling.

The 40-year-old age gap made some fans uncomfortable. Controversies about celebrities dating each other are nothing new in Hollywood, but were you surprised by this rumor? Do you know a fan of Johnny Depp? Then tell them about this interesting story!