Millie Bobby Brown has addressed the 'bullying' she's faced over her appearance urging people to 'do better'.
The Stranger Things star took to her Instagram earlier today (March 4) to share a video addressing 'something' she feels 'is bigger than just' herself and 'affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny'.
Entering the industry at the age of 10 years old, Brown reflects she 'grew up in front of the world' yet 'for some reason' some 'people can't seem to grow with' her.
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In the video, the 21-year-old says: "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."
Brown goes on to pinpoint four specific headlines she's seen written about her, questioning why there are 'people who are so desperate to tear young women down'.
One headline reads, 'Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly?' and another 'What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?'.
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Another states, 'Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA' and the fourth, 'Little Britain’s Matt Lucas takes savage swipe at Millie Bobby Brown’s new "mommy makeover" look' which Brown notes is 'amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance'.
Brown resolves the articles '[aren't] journalism' but are 'bullying'.
She brands it 'disturbing' to see 'adult writers [...] spending their time dissecting [her] face, [her] body [and her] choices'.
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"The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse," she continues. "We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks."
Brown says: "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?"
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Brown resolves imploring people to '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."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: Millie Bobby Brown, Instagram, Social Media, Mental Health, Celebrity, Stranger Things, Film and TV
Poppy Bilderbeck