At 21 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has had an atypical coming-of-age experience, as hers has unfolded in the public eye. As she grows older, the actress finds herself increasingly compelled to push back against the scrutiny and criticism she has faced regarding her appearance.
“If me being blonde or wearing more make-up really bothers you, I’m going to address it – not just for myself, but for every other girl who wants to try a new hairstyle or wear a red lip,” Brown told British Vogue. “It’s, like, get off my fucking case, you know? I am 21. I am going to have fun and play and be myself.”
Earlier this year, Brown shared a video calling out the Daily Mail for publishing articles stating that she looks old. “‘Oh my God, what has she done with her face? Why has she gone blonde? She looks 60 years old,’” she summarized to British Vogue. After her video was published, she said, “They were like, ‘Millie stuns in this dress.’ How do you change your mind that quickly?”
Brown acknowledged that she holds little control over how individual people discuss her looks on social media, but has seen success in calling out larger institutions that she believes have engaged in bullying her.
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“I respect journalism. I love reading articles on my favourite people and hearing what they’re up to. I understand that there’s paparazzi, even though it’s invasive, even though it feels like shit to me – I know that’s your job,” she continued. “But don’t, in your headline, slam me at the get-go. It is so wrong and it is bullying, especially to young girls who are new to this industry and are already questioning everything about it.”
Brown wants to extend this sense of protection to the daughter she adopted with husband Jake Bongiovi. “If she chooses to share her personality one day with the world, like I did when I was young, that’s something we’d support,” she said. “But right now, as she’s so little… As her parents, it’s our job to protect her from that.”
