BREAKING THE SILENCE

Millie Bobby Brown calls out media scrutiny over her appearance, labelling it ‘bullying’

British actress Millie Bobby Brown has hit back at the relentless media scrutiny surrounding her appearance, condemning the way her face, body, and personal choices are dissected by journalists.

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” the 21-year-old declared in a powerful statement on Tuesday. She criticised the culture of public commentary that refuses to allow young women in the limelight to grow and evolve on their own terms.

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

“I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman.”

The Damsel star, who has been in the public eye since she was 10, expressed frustration over the way the world seems unwilling to acknowledge her adulthood. “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.”

What makes matters worse, according to Brown, is that some of the most scathing criticisms come from women themselves. “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.”

She also reflected on the broader societal tendency to criticise rather than celebrate. “We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticise than it is to pay a compliment. Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice?”

Urging for change, Brown concluded with a call for greater empathy: “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.”

The actress is currently awaiting the release of Stranger Things Season 5, the final chapter of Netflix’s hit sci-fi series, while also preparing for her role alongside Chris Pratt in the Russo Brothers’ upcoming film The Electric State.