- Matt Lucas has apologies for a post about Millie Bobby Brown
- The star took to Instagram to call out article about her appearance
- Lucas made a reference to one of his Little Britain characters
British actor Matt Lucas has apologized for commenting on the appearance of Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.
In a short statement, the Wonka actor unpacked his actions. He said he thought the actress “looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you.”
Read more: Millie Bobby Brown addresses comments on appearance
Earlier this week, Brown highlighted the influx of articles she had encountered commenting on her looks. She’d recently appeared at a red carpet event for her new Netflix movie The Electric State alongside her new husband Jake Bongiovi.
Audiences got a glimpse of her new platinum hair color. However, some were less than kind about her appearance, with articles suggesting she was aging poorly despite having only recently turned 21.
As a result, Brown took to social media to try and put a stop to this type of derogatory journalism. “I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” said the actress.
Read more: Everything we know about The Electric State as new trailer drops
“Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
Among those who commented on her looks was Little Britain and Wonka star Lucas. However, he’s since walked back his comments and apologized for posting them in the first place.
What did Matt Lucas say about Millie Bobby Brown?
Responding to a recent paparazzi picture of Brown alongside her sister Eva, Lucas posted the catchphrase of his infamous Little Britain character Vicky Pollard, “no but yeah but”.
Pollard is typically depicted as a spotty teenager, dressed in a pink tracksuit. Brown was wearing a similarly pink outfit in her recently papped pictures, which is presumably why Lucas made the connection.
In a newly released statement posted to Instagram, the comic explained his actions.
“Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context,” Lucas began.
“Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called ‘Little Britain.’ There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.”
He added “I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt x.”
What did Brown say about criticism of her appearance?
Brown didn’t hold back when it came to calling out journalists who took aim at her appearance.
During her Instagram post, the star made reference to articles with titles like ‘Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?’ and ‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’
In turn, she told her fans that this “isn’t journalism.”
“This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse,” Brown added.
“Let’s do better”
“We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs.
“I refuse to apologize for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.
Read more: Netflix reportedly suffers major Stranger Things season 5 leak
She continued, saying “We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticize than it is to pay a compliment. Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice? If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder—what is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable?
“Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”
