‘It’s bullying’: Millie Bobby Brown speaks out on people attacking her recent appearances

Over the past week, Millie Bobby Brown has found herself at the centre of a bizarre scrutinisation of her appearance. As an actor who has grown up in the public eye and who we’ve all watched transition from a child star to a woman, her change into adulthood has been one that the media has written about heavily. Unfavourable conversation about her hairstyle and outfits, “who is her stylist” tweets and nasty comments from other celebs such as Matt Lucas has pushed Millie Bobby Brown to the limit – and she finally speaks out on it all in a big statement.

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A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown)

Millie Bobby Brown has been on the press tour for her new film with Chris Pratt, The Electric State.

In a video posted to her Instagram grid, Millie Bobby Brown says “I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny. I think it’s necessary to speak up about this. I started in this 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 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.

“Let’s talk about the articles, the headlines, the people who are so desperate to tear young women down. ‘Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?’ by Lydia Hawken. ‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’ by John Ely. ‘Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA’ by Cassie Carpenter. ‘Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new “mommy makeover” look’—written by Bethan Edwards, amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance.

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. 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. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs. 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. We have become a society where it’s so much easier to criticize than it is to pay a compliment. Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice? If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder—what is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable? 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.”

It’s an amazing and powerful statement – and one which has prompted Matt Lucas to respond directly. He quoted a picture of Millie Bobby Brown being compared to Little Britain character Vicky Pollard – played by Lucas in it – which prompted the article that Brown calls out.

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A post shared by Matt Lucas (@realmattlucas)

Matt Lucas speaks out in response to apologise to Millie Bobby Brown for the part he played in the ordeal, saying “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context. Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain.

“There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases. I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant.

“I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise.”

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Featured image By: John Salangsang/Shutterstock and Millie Bobby Brown on Instagram.