Millie Bobby Brown Is Standing Up For Herself And Young Women Everywhere

The 21-year-old Stranger Things star took to Instagram on Monday to call out the media for scrutinizing her appearance during her press tour for Netflix’s upcoming film The Electric State.

In a powerful video, Brown addressed each journalist by name, accusing them of “bullying” and “tearing young women down.”

Over the past week, the actress has faced online headlines focused on her new platinum blonde ’90s-inspired hairstyle. While fans speculated the look could hint at a future Britney Spears biopic role, some outlets took a harsher stance.

One headline read: “What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?” Another compared her to a mother figure, saying she looked like someone’s mom as she guided her younger sister Ava through Los Angeles.

Brown pushed back strongly. “I grew up in front of the world,” she said in the video. “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 look the way I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And now because I don’t, I’m a target.”

Brown’s entertainment career began when she was only 10. Now, at 21, she says she won’t stand for commentary that shames her for growing up. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices — it’s disturbing,” she continued. “And the fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse.”

Brown is not the only celebrity to confront public scrutiny. In 2023, pop icon Madonna responded to online criticism after her Grammys appearance, where commenters accused her of being “obsessed with plastic surgery.” Madonna never confirmed any cosmetic procedures but did call out ageism and misogyny. “The world refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.

Similarly, in her video, Brown pointed out how these standards hurt not just her but all young women. “Let’s do better,” she said. “Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

Her message struck a chord. In less than 12 hours, the post received 1.6 million likes. Celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Stone, Matthew Modine, and model Winnie Harlow voiced their support in the comments.

Brown’s frustration highlights the broader issue of unrealistic expectations placed on women in the spotlight. While men often age without judgment, women, especially those who rose to fame young, face constant scrutiny over their looks, clothing, and personal choices.

Despite the negativity, Brown continues to stay focused on her career. The Electric State, directed by the Russo Brothers, is set to hit Netflix later this year. The film follows an orphaned teenager (played by Brown) who travels across a post-apocalyptic America with a robot companion in search of her missing brother.

The actress has also been busy off-screen. Last year, she published her first novel, Nineteen Steps, inspired by her grandmother’s experiences during World War II. The book quickly became a bestseller.

Still, Brown’s message was clear: growing up in the public eye should not come with cruel judgment. She closed her video with determination. “I refuse to apologize for growing up,” she said.

Her fans and fellow stars agree. It’s time to let women grow, evolve, and exist without constant critique.

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