Millie Bobby Brown slams media for "bullying" her over appearance

Actress Millie Bobby Brown has hit back at the media for what she calls the "disturbing" scrutiny of her appearance.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the Stranger Things star called out journalists for obsessing over her face, body, and personal choices, saying such coverage is nothing short of bullying.

“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,” she wrote. “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.”

Brown highlighted specific articles that had criticised her appearance, mentioning headlines such as ‘Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?’ and ‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’

She also pointed out another that read, ‘Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA,’ and a piece that quoted comedian Matt Lucas taking a “savage swipe” at her so-called “mommy makeover” look.

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” she stated. “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 actress, who has transitioned from a child star to an adult in the public eye, said she refuses to apologise for growing up.

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“Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs,” she wrote. “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.”

Brown also questioned why negativity seems to be the default response when people see her change. “We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticise than it is to pay a compliment,” she wrote. “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?”

She ended her post with a call for change, not just for herself but for all young women. “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.”

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