Netflix's 'Wednesday' Faces Backlash After Jenna Ortega Admits She Had COVID-19 While Filming Viral Dance Scene

Netflix's series "Wednesday" has faced backlash after Jenna Ortega revealed she shot the iconic dance scene in the fourth episode with COVID-19 symptoms.

Following its premiere on Netflix late last month, "Wednesday" become a big hit for the streamer. Ortega plays Wednesday Addams as she uncovers the mysteries of Nevermore Academy in this new "Addams Family" spinoff.

Wednesday's expressive moves at her school dance during the fourth episode of the season have since gone viral, even becoming a TikTok trend.

During the night's event, Wednesday treats her love interest, Xavier, to an eccentric dance routine as The Cramps' 1981 cover "Goo Goo Muck" plays. Her blank and expressionless face adds to the intrigue of the moment as she performs the awkward yet confident moves.

According to Parade, the viral dance routine has received increased attention and even criticism after Ortega revealed she had COVID-19 symptoms and waiting for the test results while filming it.

"It's crazy because it was my first day with COVID so it was awful to film... Yeah, I woke up and - it's weird, I never get sick and when I do it's not very bad - I had the body aches," Ortega recently told NME.

"I felt like I'd been hit by a car and that a little goblin had been let loose in my throat and was scratching the walls of my esophagus," she added.

Ortega noted that she took medicine in between takes while waiting for the COVID-19 results. MGM, "Wednesday's" production company, told NME that "strict COVID protocols were followed and once the positive test was confirmed production removed Jenna from set."

Ortega said she was asked to redo the scene but did not have enough time. She added: "I think I probably could have done it a bit better."

Fans React to Netflix's 'Wednesday' Actress COVID-19 Revelation

According to Stuff, many fans expressed disapproval that Jenna Ortega filmed the scene with COVID-19, with one saying it was "dangerous, unethical, and extremely selfish" on her part and the part of the directors and producers.

Another Twitter user said: "There's absolutely no positive way to spin an actress knowingly exposing hundreds of cast members and crew to COVID."

Another wrote: "This is a bad thing right? We all agree that this is not some "persevering through hardship" moment, it's a why the f**k didn't she get sent home, she could get horrendously sick or infect others kinda moment."

Jenna Ortega Choreographed Viral Dance Scene on 'Wednesday'

The Independent reported that Jenna Ortega also said she had choreographed the dance scene that has since gone viral.

"I'm not a dancer and I'm sure that's obvious... I'd gotten the song about a week before and I just pulled from whatever I could," the 20-year-old actress said.

Since the release of Netflix's "Wednesday," the popularity of the dance scene has skyrocketed, resulting in a 9.5% increase in Spotify listening to "Goo Goo Muck."

Similarly, a TikTok meme featuring Ortega's "Wednesday" dance moves set to Lady GaGa's "Bloody Mary" song has become incredibly popular, leading to a 1,800% spike in the song's listeners on Spotify compared to the previous month.

Jenna Ortega even got a shout-out from Lady Gaga herself on Twitter, saying, "Slay Wednesday! You're welcome at Haus of Gaga anytime (and bring Thing with you, we love paws around here)."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jenna Ortega and the Cast of Wednesday React to the Dance Scene - From Still Watching Netflix