- The actress addressed an issue that affects many women growing up in public
- The media wondered if she looked older than she actually was }
- She argued people “act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time” with her appearance
Millie Bobby Brown has shared a video calling out people online and journalists for cruel comments over her appearance.
Read more: The most iconic Millie Bobby Brown moments
After appearing on the red carpet with freshly dyed blonde hair, commentators were quick to suggest she was “ageing badly” – even though she is only 21 years old.
Brown addressed the cruel comments in an extended video posted to her Instagram.
Millie Bobby Brown calls out the media for “dissecting” her looks and for “disturbing coverage” about her appearance:
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 4, 2025
“I started in the 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 up with me. Instead, they act… pic.twitter.com/V7LBRkMAYj
“I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny,” she began. “I think it’s necessary to speak up about this.
“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. 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.”
“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying”
Brown then pointed to some of the headlines about her in the press. These included ‘Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?’ and ‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’
“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying, Brown continued. “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.
“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.
“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.”
What has Millie Bobby Brown been working on lately?
Brown’s latest project is the new sci-fi film The Electric State. It will arrive on Netflix later this month.
Read more: Netflix may have had Stranger Things season 5 leak
Her most anticipated new project is, unsurprisingly, the final season of Stranger Things. The fifth season doesn’t yet have a release date but fans are guessing that it will land roughly around late 2025. It could drop in two separate parts, similar to how Stranger Things 4 was released.
