Millie Bobby Brown is not letting anyone tear her down. On March 3, 2025, the Stranger Things star took to Instagram to address several articles and comments criticizing 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,” Brown starts her video, adding that this is a “very necessary” topic to tackle.
“I started in the [entertainment] industry when I was 10 years old,” Brown continues. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow up 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.”
Brown, who's currently on a press tour promoting her new Netflix film The Electric State, goes on to namecheck a few articles and writers, claiming they perpetuate harmful narratives that only aim “to tear young women down.”
“Amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance. This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” Brown continues. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, is disturbing. And the fact that some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse. We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when it comes down to it, it seems a lot easier to just tear them down for clicks.”
“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,” the star adds. “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?”
Brown finished off the video, saying: “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."
Brown's video quickly gained attention from not only fans but also fellow stars who praised her for speaking up. “Well said Millie. Handled with grace 🫶,” fellow British actor Louis Partridge wrote in Brown's comment section. “You are such a beautiful example of grace and mutuality. Way to stand up for yourself. So proud of you Mills.❤️,” Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul, who's famously big Stranger Things and MBB fan, also wrote. “So truly proud of you Millie🙌🏾,” F1 star Lewis Hamilton added.
“Enormously proud of you,” And Just Like That... star Sarah Jessica Parker wrote. 18-year-old Mckenna Grace, who's had a trajectory similar to Brown's in the industry, also chimed in, saying: “No young woman or person deserves to feel pressure or cruelty for simply existing. You are so well spoken and so beautiful. Very well said, thank you for making this video.”
Yellowjackets and Arcane star Ella Purnell reshared Brown's video to her Instagram stories, writing: “I don't know her but I am so weirdly proud of her for saying this. I've been very loudly team MBB for years. (Most) people have no idea what it's like to grow up in this industry — no one has lived her experience. It's so gd hard on a person. Why so hard to be kind yall. Let's just .....leave women alone.”
Hollywood veteran Sharon Stone also approved of Brown's message. “Beautifully said,” she wrote in the comment section of Brown's original video. “It really doesn’t matter our age or stature, we must be willing to own ourselves fully not fall to the false ideology of tear down media. Good job my friend.”
You can see Millie Bobby Brown's video in full below:
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
