Jenna Ortega made headlines recently with a bold and unexpected red carpet appearance in London, as she promoted the highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s Wednesday. Known for her edgy fashion and sharp performances, Ortega turned heads once again—this time not just for her outfit, but for her daring beauty choice as well. Clad in a sheer, snake-like dress and sporting bleached eyebrows, Ortega became the center of a fiery online conversation, with fans and fashion critics alike weighing in on her latest look.’
The 22-year-old actress arrived at the premiere alongside fellow cast members, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, and immediately caught the spotlight with her outfit. Designed by Ashi Studio, the serpentine-inspired gown hugged Ortega’s frame in all the right places, giving the illusion of a second skin. The dress, crafted from sheer latex-like fabric in a nude tone, featured an intricate snakeskin pattern etched across its surface. With a high neckline, sculpted waist, and a dramatic train that flowed behind her, the gown was both eerie and elegant—perfectly channeling her character’s dark persona.
However, the dress wasn’t the only thing people were talking about. Ortega’s eyebrows—or more accurately, the lack of them—sparked just as much attention. Bleached to a nearly invisible blonde, her brows presented a sharp contrast to her naturally dark features, giving her a ghostly, almost sculptural appearance. Reactions on social media were mixed. Some praised the avant-garde aesthetic, calling it high fashion. Others weren’t so impressed. “She looked strange,” one user commented. “Not a good look for her,” echoed another. One fan remarked, “Though I understand the high fashion look, I miss her eyebrows.” The general consensus seemed to lean toward preferring Ortega’s natural brown brows.
Interestingly, this isn’t Ortega’s first foray into lighter brow territory. Earlier this year, she lightened her eyebrows to a bronze tone for the premiere of Hurry Up Tomorrow during the 2025 CinemaCon. At that event, she paired her look with a lilac Versace outfit and sleek, center-parted dark hair, embracing a 1970s-inspired glam vibe. Even then, fans commented that the lighter brows aged her, though it still didn’t generate as much buzz as her latest appearance.
Adding to the online debate was a slight wardrobe malfunction. A small hole in the front of Ortega’s dress was noticeable at knee-length. While subtle, it didn’t escape the scrutiny of social media and fashion blogs. Some reports suggested that the delicate fabric might have snagged before the event. According to Harper’s Bazaar, the original runway version of the gown was designed to be worn without undergarments. For the red carpet, however, Ortega’s team opted for modest modifications, including built-in cups for coverage.
Despite the tiny hiccup, Ortega managed to captivate fans and photographers alike. Her look was powerful, eerie, and undeniably eye-catching—much like her character on screen. From her sculpted silhouette to the haunting effect of her bleached eyebrows, Ortega’s style seemed to blur the lines between fiction and fashion. It was clear she wasn’t just promoting Wednesday, she was embodying it.
The bleached eyebrow trend, while polarizing, isn’t new in the world of fashion. Icons like Madonna dabbled in the look back in the 1990s, and stars such as Lady Gaga, Chloë Sevigny, Miley Cyrus, and members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan have all experimented with barely-there brows in recent years. British Vogue even published a piece last year declaring that the trend may be moving into the mainstream. In that article, the magazine cited actress Sienna Miller’s bleached brows as evidence that this edgy aesthetic was no longer limited to Gen-Z’s experimental beauty space. “While barely-there brows have been popular with Gen-Z for a while, Miller is a millennial—and still wields enormous influence over her fellow millennial women—suggesting markedly lighter brows may break free of a more youthful, experimental realm to become altogether more mainstream,” the magazine wrote.
Fashion aside, all eyes are now turning to the release of Wednesday Season 2, which drops—appropriately—on a Wednesday, August 6th. The new season picks up with Wednesday Addams having saved Nevermore Academy from a monstrous threat, earning her the unwanted title of “savior.” True to form, Wednesday brushes off the praise and remains focused on the dark and mysterious forces still at play.
The first season captivated audiences with its blend of gothic flair, witty writing, and Ortega’s breakout performance. The second season promises more intrigue, more twisted mysteries, and more of Ortega’s signature deadpan charm. If her red carpet appearance is any indication, viewers can expect the show to push boundaries—both in storytelling and style.
So while some may still debate the fashion risks she took on the red carpet, there’s no denying that Jenna Ortega knows how to make a statement. Whether it’s through a snakeskin-inspired sheer gown or bleached brows that defy convention, she continues to challenge expectations and redefine what it means to be a modern Hollywood star.
