Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, 23, is finding herself at the center of a social media firestorm following a viral clip of her with Danish musician Elias Rønnenfelt. While the 34-year-old frontman of the band Iceage appeared to have his arm around Ortega in the footage, fans have quickly pivoted from dating rumors to resurfacing a string of controversial scandals from Rønnenfelt’s past.
The backlash centers on allegations of Neo-Nazi and fascist imagery used in Rønnenfelt’s early career, as well as his association with bands using racial slurs.
The Controversy: Fascist Imagery and Offensive Bookings
The primary source of the “Neo-Nazi” accusations dates back to artwork created by Rønnenfelt when he was 18. The visuals included symbols frequently associated with far-right and fascist movements. In an interview with Pitchfork, the singer addressed the shock he felt when the allegations first surfaced.
“When a lot of these allegations came out, we were dumbfounded,” Rønnenfelt previously stated. “Now I understand that we hold a responsibility on our shoulders to make it clear what we stand for.”
He claimed the images were inspired by an 80s film called Roller Blade and asserted that he did not understand their political weight at the time. “We are most definitely not right-wing and we don’t have any sympathies or leanings to that side,” he added.
The “White N******” Incident
Rønnenfelt has also faced intense scrutiny for Iceage’s decision to invite a band with a highly offensive racial slur in their name—White N****—to perform at a festival they organized.
- The Defense: Rønnenfelt claimed the performers were involved in Antifa activism and he believed the name was intended as an “offensive political point.”
- The Apology: He later expressed deep regret, saying, “I’m embarrassed to have shared a stage with a band with that name.”
Jenna Ortega’s Stance on Relationships
While the internet remains divided over her association with the singer, Ortega has not publicly confirmed the relationship. The actress has been notoriously private, previously telling Elle Magazine that the idea of a relationship “stresses her out.”
“Maybe I am too obsessed with my work… but being that vulnerable with someone and having to get to know someone that well—I’m not ready to be that vulnerable or trusting,” Ortega said in 2023.
Ortega’s meteoric rise—from Disney child star to the lead in Netflix’s Wednesday and horror hits like Scream—has made her one of the most scrutinized young stars in Hollywood. As she transitions into producing and directing, fans are keeping a close watch on whether she will address the controversy surrounding her rumored partner.
Understanding the Risks of “Guilt by Association”
In the era of “cancel culture,” many celebrities face backlash not for their own actions, but for those of the people they date. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) track extremist imagery and emphasize that while symbols can be used out of ignorance, their impact remains harmful to marginalized communities.
