“I Refuse to Apologize for Growing Up”
Millie Bobby Brown is calling out the media for harsh scrutiny over her appearance during the press tour for her latest Netflix film, The Electric State. The Stranger Things star took to Instagram on Monday, addressing journalists who criticized her new blonde ’90s-inspired look and accused them of “bullying” young women in the public eye.
Recently, Brown has faced media speculation after debuting a platinum blowout and Y2K-inspired outfits, with some fans even speculating it was a nod to a potential Britney Spears biopic. However, several articles questioned her transformation, with headlines like “What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?” and “Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom.”
The 21-year-old actor, who began her career at just 10 years old, fired back at these remarks, emphasizing how unfair it is to judge women for simply growing up.
“I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” Brown stated in her Instagram video. “They act like I should stay frozen in time, looking the way I did in Stranger Things Season 1. And now that I don’t, I’m a target.”
Brown also pointed out the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on young women and expressed disappointment that some of the articles were written by female journalists.
“The fact that adult writers are dissecting my face, my body, my choices—it’s disturbing,” she said. “And the fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse.”
This isn’t the first time a female celebrity has fought back against appearance-related criticism. In 2023, Madonna responded to online comments about her looks at the Grammys, calling out ageism and misogyny in Hollywood.
Brown’s post quickly gained traction, earning 1.6 million likes in under 12 hours and receiving support from stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Stone, and Winnie Harlow. Ending her statement on a powerful note, Brown urged for change:
“I refuse to apologize for growing up,” she declared. “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.”
