“I refuse to apologise for growing up”: Millie Bobby Brown responds to tabloids harsh criticism
Millie Bobby Brown, the star of Netflix‘s Stranger Things, has recently been criticised by a number of different outlet because of how she looks. She has since released a response on social media.
Now 21, Millie Bobby Brown initially joined the entertainment industry 11 years ago when she was cast as the lead character, Eleven, in Stranger Things. Since then, Brown has grown up in the public eye. She got married in May 2024 to Jake Bongiovi, the son of rock star Jon Bon Jovi.
Recently, Brown has come under fire about her appearance. The Daily Mail ran a controversial article entitled “Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?” This sentiment mirrors that of a number of other tabloids that have called into question the actress’s appearance. Brown uploaded a video to social media where she addressed the journalists who questioned her appearance.
“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. I think it’s necessary to speak up about this,” she said, “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 like I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
Brown said that the comments about her were not journalism but instead a form of bullying. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing,” she said, “The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse.”
Brown also highlighted the hypocrisy in that people always talk about uplifting women but then abandon these views for clicks. “Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs.”
Brown concluded, “I refuse to apologise 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.”