Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown comments in a video on the criticism of her appearance. That’s behind the actress’s public statement.
Millie Bobby Brown has grown up after a decade as a child star and that obviously doesn’t suit everyone. For years, her outward development from a young girl to a 21-year-old young woman has been the subject of extensive media coverage – which is often negative.
Now the Stranger Things star has responded to the negative headlines that have surrounded her, especially in recent months, and denounced the behavior of journalists and the media in a video.
Millie Bobby Brown declares war on her critics in video
Brown released the video on March 4, 2025 on Instagram, speaking at length about the criticism she has faced for years regarding her appearance. In it, she explains:
I want to take this moment to address something bigger than me, something that affects every young woman growing up in the public eye. It’s necessary to talk about it. I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the whole world and for some reason people can’t grow with me. Instead, they act as if I have to stop in time, as if I have to keep looking like I did in the first season of Stranger Things. And because I don’t, I become a target.
Watch Millie Bobbie Brown’s video here:
She goes on to give numerous examples of media coverage and headlines that affect her appearance and cast it in a negative light. She also doesn’t shy away from naming the authors of the respective articles:
‘Why do Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown age so badly?’ by Lydia Hawken. ‘What did Millie Bobby Brown do to her face?’ by John Ely. ‘Millie Bobby Brown is mistaken for a mom as she escorts her younger sister Ava through LA’ by Cassie Carpenter. ‘Little Britain’s Matt Lucas viciously takes aim at Millie Bobby Brown’s mommy makeover look’, written by Bethan Edwards, who highlights an insult instead of questioning why a grown man is mocking the appearance of a young woman. This is not journalism. This is bullying. The fact that some of these articles were written by women? Even worse.
Brown continues to call on young women to make their own decisions and to stop criticizing their external changes:
I will not 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. […] We have become a society where it is so much easier to criticize someone than to give someone a compliment. […] Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without the fear of simply being torn apart for existing.
Millie Bobby Brown grew up in front of the public’s eyes thanks to Stranger Things
Millie Bobby Brown made her acting debut in 2013 in the fantasy series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. At the time, the actress, born in 2004, was just nine years old. After several smaller guest roles on TV – including in Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy – Brown landed the leading role of Elfie, aka Jane Hopper, in the Netflix hit Stranger Things. The first season was released on the streaming service in 2016 and made the then 12-year-old Brown a mega star overnight.
In the early seasons of Stranger Things, Brown, as Elfie, wears short-shaven hair and the old clothes of her series friends, as well as the lab coats of the Hawkins laboratory. The childlike and not particularly classically feminine appearance in the series drew a series of homophobic comments against Brown and at the same time stood in stark contrast to how Brown later presented herself in public. Further action-packed and supernatural roles in films such as Enola Holmes or Damsel underpinned this discrepancy, which provided a ready meal for the media and haters throughout her career.
On her 16th birthday, Brown wrote on Instagram (via Today ): “There are moments when I feel frustrated by the dishonesty, the inappropriate comments, the sexualization and the unnecessary insults that have developed into pain and insecurities for me.”
Public opinion reached a new peak when Brown presented herself on social media with new selfies and blonde-dyed hair at the beginning of 2025, making headlines with these changes. Many of the articles Brown denounces in her video are from the past few months. As early as January, Brown responded in a short comment to the criticism of her aging process (via The Independent ): “Women grow! I’m not sorry about that.”
Millie Bobby Brown receives support from other Hollywood stars for her statement
Numerous stars commented on Brown’s video on Instagram and expressed support for her words. For example, her The Electric State co-star Chris Pratt wrote:
I’m glad you’re standing up for yourself. Some of these journalists are sad and lonely people. We’ll pray for them. You look great! And more importantly, you have a beautiful heart.
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker commented:
I’m so proud of you.
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton agreed:
So proud of you Millie.
Browns Stranger Things co-star Matthew Modine wrote:
Yes. Good for you! Brava.
Enola Holmes star Sam Claflin commented:
Wonderful said, sister.
Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone stated:
Great said, thank you. It doesn’t matter what age or stature we are, we have to be willing to be ourselves completely in order not to fall victim to this false ideology of the media. Well done, my friend.
Many other stars such as Lily Allen, Bella Thorne, McKenna Grace, Larsen Thompson and Louis Partridge also expressed their support for Brown.
Brown’s statement comes just days before her next big movie arrives on Netflix. The sci-fi spectacle The Electric State will be released on March 14, 2025 on the streamer. In addition to Brown, the Russo brothers’ film also stars Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Holly Hunter and Colman Domingo.
