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.”
