Millie Bobby Brown Refuses to Apologize for Growing Up—And She Shouldn’t Have To

Millie Bobby Brown has had enough. The 21-year-old actor, who grew up in the spotlight as Stranger Things’ Eleven, has spent years navigating fame, success, and relentless public scrutiny. But when recent articles dissected her appearance, speculated about her aging, and even likened her to a “mom,” Brown decided to hit back—publicly, directly, and unapologetically.

In a powerful Instagram video, Millie Bobby Brown called out the media for what she sees as targeted harassment disguised as entertainment journalism. Holding nothing back, she named specific publications, journalists, and headlines, highlighting how they fuel a culture that shames young women for simply growing up.

“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.”

The British actor, who also helms her own beauty brand Florence by Mills, directly confronted articles with titles such as “Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown aging so badly?”, "What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?" and “Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA.”

She criticized the authors for feeding into a toxic cycle of body shaming and unrealistic expectations, arguing that this isn’t just about her—it’s about how society treats women as they transition from girlhood to adulthood.

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying. 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.”

The Policing of Women’s Appearances—A Tale as Old as Time

Brown’s frustration speaks to a much larger issue: the way female celebrities are subjected to relentless scrutiny, no matter their age. Hollywood has a long history of both infantilizing young female stars and tearing them down the moment they step into womanhood. Brown, like many before her—Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Kate Winslet, and even Jennifer Lawrence, among thousands of other celebrities—has been held under a magnifying glass since childhood, with the media and the public constantly weighing in on how she looks, dresses, and carries herself.

The criticism against her also highlights the exhausting double standard at play. If she dressed in a more youthful way, she’d be accused of being immature. If she presents herself with elegance and sophistication, she’s suddenly “trying too hard to look older.” It’s a lose-lose scenario, designed to keep women second-guessing themselves at every turn.

Brown, however, refuses to play along.

“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.”

A Groundswell of Support

Millie Bobby Brown’s bold statement resonated deeply, not just with her devoted fanbase but also with fellow celebrities, who flooded her comments section with messages of encouragement and admiration. Hollywood heavyweights, fellow actors, musicians, and influencers alike rallied behind her, praising her strength and calling out the toxic scrutiny young women in the industry face.

James Charles, one of the first to comment, simply wrote, "Love you Mills," showing his unwavering support. British actress Susan Wokoma cheered her on, applauding, "Calling them out by name! Brave Mills." Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton expressed his admiration with, "So truly proud of you Millie." Actor Chris Pratt offered a heartfelt message, writing, "Glad to see you standing up for yourself. Some of these journalists are sad and lonely folks. We’ll pray for 'em. You look great!! And more importantly, you have a beautiful heart." Meanwhile, Sex and the City icon Sarah Jessica Parker commented, "Enormously proud of you. Xxx, SJ."

Julianne Hough praised Millie’s grace and maturity, saying, "Thank you for your courage to stand in your power—your light—and leading by example of what 'growing up' actually looks like. The maturity and grace are undeniable in how you addressed this. Adore you, Millie." Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer kept it short but powerful, dropping a row of fire emojis, and Millie's longtime friend and Enola Holmes co-star Louis Partridge commended her poise, writing, “Well said Millie. Handled with grace.”

Young actress McKenna Grace echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that no one should be subjected to such scrutiny, while singer Pixie Lott took a moment to reflect on the larger issue at hand, commenting, "You are a true class act, and I hate that you or any young woman in the spotlight has to deal with this. So utterly ridiculous this happens—you are always beyond beautiful inside and out and a million things that should be celebrated and never torn down. What a crazy world, love u Millie."

Even fan accounts joined in, celebrating Millie’s bravery! @softiesmbb on Instagram posted, "I’m so proud of you, Millie. You are a brave and strong woman. I love you with all my heart, keep going and ignore those negative comments about you. Thank you for talking about this. You have a very beautiful and warm heart ? I will always support and defend you." Another fan page, @yourmilliesourcess, echoed the sentiment, simply declaring, "THE REAL ONES LOVE U ALWAYS."

The overwhelming wave of support only reinforced what Millie Bobby Brown emphasized in her video—there is power in standing up against toxic beauty standards and media scrutiny. And for every headline seeking to tear her down, a chorus of voices rose up to lift her higher.

The Bigger Question: Why Is This Still Happening?

Brown’s viral moment forces a crucial conversation: Why, in 2025, is this kind of scrutiny still rampant? Why do grown adults, particularly those in media, continue to obsess over and critique the way young women age and evolve?

The internet, for all its progress in fostering conversations around body positivity and self-acceptance, still thrives on negativity. The headlines Millie Bobby Brown referenced aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of an industry that profits off clickbait outrage, fueling unnecessary debates about women’s looks, weight, and perceived “aging.”

Brown isn’t naive to this reality, but she’s also unwilling to accept it. Her message is clear: this needs to stop, not just for her, but for every young woman coming of age under public scrutiny.

“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.”

Brown’s response isn’t just a personal clapback—it’s a cultural reckoning. If the media is truly committed to evolving, it’s time to rethink the way it treats young women in the public eye. Until then, Millie Bobby Brown is making one thing clear: she’s not here to make herself smaller for anyone.

Millie Bobby Brown took a stand—how do you think we create a healthier, more supportive media environment for young women? Share your voice with us in the comments below!