Millie Bobby Brown claps back at critics: Addresses body shaming and online bullying during movie press tour

Millie Bobby Brown, the British actress famous for her role as Eleven in Netflix's Stranger Things, has had enough of the media and online critics commenting on her appearance. On Monday evening, she posted a powerful video on Instagram, publicly addressing the ongoing body shaming and harsh commentary she’s faced throughout her press tour for her new movie The Electric State. In a bold move, Brown even named specific journalists responsible for writing stories about her appearance.

Millie Bobby Brown takes a stand against body shaming and online bullying.

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In the nearly three-minute-long video, Brown reflected on growing up in the public eye. “I’ve been in the spotlight since I was 10, and yet, it seems like some people refuse to grow up alongside me,” she said. “Instead, they expect me to remain the same as I was on Stranger Things season one, and when I don’t, I become a target for criticism.”

Brown went on to read headlines from recent articles that focused entirely on her looks, calling out the journalists behind them. She made it clear that these stories weren’t legitimate journalism but rather instances of bullying. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, and my choices is disturbing,” Brown stated. “What’s even worse is that some of these articles come from women, who should be supporting young women instead of tearing them down for clicks.”

The actress continued to share her struggles with her unusual upbringing in the limelight, revealing to Vanity Fair that she had very few friends and never attended a traditional school. “Because of who I am, I don’t have many friends. I didn’t go to school, so I don’t have the best social skills when it comes to people my age,” she admitted. “I’ve missed out on some things, but I’m working through it.”

Additionally, Brown opened up about the sexualization she’s faced online from a young age, which led her to step away from social media in 2022. She also touched on her ongoing body image struggles, revealing how difficult it has been to navigate the pressures of being constantly scrutinized by the public.

In an industry where young women are often under intense media scrutiny, Brown’s candid message has sparked conversations about the harmful effects of body shaming and the need for more compassion in how public figures are treated.

Read Brown’s full statement below.

Hi everyone, it’s Milly.

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 this is very necessary to talk about.

I started in the 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 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 one, and because I don’t, I’m now a target.

I want to talk about some of the articles that have recently released while I’m on my press tour, and some of the writers who are so desperate to tear young women down.

One article reads, “Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown aging so badly” written by Lydia Hawkin.

“What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face,” written by John Ely.

“Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mum as she guides younger sister Ava through LA” written by Cassie Carpenter.

Another article reads, “Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new mummy makeover look,” written by Bethan Edwards.

Amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance. This isn’t journalism, this is bullying.

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.

Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not their own.

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. We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticize than it is to pay a compliment. Why is it the knee jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than just 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 the fear of being torn apart for simply existing.

Thank you.