Millie Bobby Brown just turned 21 last month which is so exciting, yet the media continues to make inappropriate comments about her age and looks. Growing up in the spotlight, Brown has seen some unwanted attention over the years and has been a prisoner of the male gaze from a very young age. Years ago, when she was only a teenager, the media would comment that she was far too young to dress and act a certain way, and now that she’s actually grown, they comment that she looks too old for her age. To address the most recent jabs that said she looked old on the red carpet for The Electric State, Brown reposted an article from British Vogue on her Instagram story entitled, ‘No one cares how old you think Millie Bobby Brown is,’ writing “thank you“ underneath.
Though celebrities might expect to have some haters, it’s never ok to render this much ridicule about one’s looks, especially with so many comments being about her body when she was a teenager. It’s pathetic that people write horrible things about her just to draw more clicks in and she’s saying enough is enough. Lately, the media has been body shaming her and some even go so far as making harsh comments suggesting plastic surgery or noting that she wears too much makeup. These are the same writers that would nitpick in the opposite direction if she weren’t wearing “enough makeup,” or was dressed underwhelmingly.
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?
-Millie Bobby Brown via Instagram
These articles are ageist, hurtful, and honestly a sad excuse for storytelling. There is so much more that journalists could illustrate about Brown; her invigorating acting skills, good British wit, animated expressions, great sense of fashion, and endearing nature. Yet, people will always strive to fabricate something hurtful. Many try to fit her into a social construct of a child that she played on one of America’s favorite TV shows over ten years ago.
In a recent Instagram post, Brown responded to these haters and internet trolls writing, “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.” Brown illustrates her astonishment that many of the people commenting on her appearance are women.
It was brave of Brown to point out that many of the people making hurtful remarks are women and it’s imperative to call out women who tear others down. In a world where women are meant to bond and uplift one another, and where there is room for everyone at the table, many people fall short of prioritizing that. Not only can people not see how these derogatory comments affect Brown and so many other celebrities, but they also don’t see the effect it has on all the young girls reading them.
People really need to leave Millie Bobby Brown alone. She has had to put up with this for so long, and it’s cruel. For people to berate a young actress who’s like a modern-day Shirley Temple and has done nothing but entertain them and make them laugh, is ridiculous. Hopefully, Brown’s Instagram posts can help inspire these hasty commenters to reflect and self-correct.
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