Millie Bobby Brown, 21, Calls Out Writers Who Said She Looked Old: "I Refuse To Apologize For Growing Up"

The 21-year-old actress has grown up in the public eye after landing her breakout role in Stranger Things – but that has led to the media’s obsession with her evolving appearance. In a video posted to social media, Brown directly called out journalists who have scrutinized her looks as she’s matured.

"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," she said. "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."

The Articles She Called Out

Brown called out articles and their authors to give examples of the many headlines circulating during her latest press tour. Here are the terrible articles that were written about her.

"Why Are Gen Z’s Like Millie Bobby Brown Aging So Badly?" – Lydia Hawkins

"What Has Millie Bobby Brown Done to Her Face?" – John Ely

"Millie Bobby Brown Mistaken for Someone’s Mama: She Guides Younger Sister Ava Through LA" – Cassie Carpenter

"Little Britain’s Matt Lucas Takes Savage Swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s New Mommy Makeover Look" – Bethan Edwards

Millie Bobby Brown called out these pieces for insulting her instead of questioning why people feel the need to mock a young woman’s looks. "This isn't journalism. This is bullying," she said. "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," she added. "Disillusioned people can't handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not their own."

Brown is not here to apologize for getting older.

"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."

"Why is it the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than just say something nice?" she asked. "If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder – what is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable?"

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because Brown has had to deal with this kind of scrutiny before. Just two months ago, she clapped back at social media comments criticizing her "aged" appearance. After a photo of her with a Louis Vuitton purse went viral, users made awful remarks about how she looked "42 years old" or had "skipped her 20s altogether."

Her response was, "Women grow!! Not sorry about it."

Brown’s clap back resonates with millions of American women. We age, and that's perfectly fine. That's a privilege.

"Let's do better," she said. "Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without the fear of being torn apart for simply existing."

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