Millie Bobby Brown Speaks Out About the Disturbing Changes in How She's Treated Since Turning 18

Millie Bobby Brown, the breakout star of Stranger Things, has spent much of her life in the public eye. Growing up in Hollywood, especially as a female child star, she has faced an immense amount of attention—both positive and negative.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with young women in the industry, her fame has come with its fair share of scrutiny and, more troublingly, oversexualization. Recently, in a candid interview on The Guilty Feminist podcast, Millie opened up about the stark shift in how people treat her now that she’s reached adulthood.

For Brown, turning 18 has only exacerbated the challenges she’s faced as a young woman in a culture that often reduces female stars to their looks rather than their talents.

In her conversation with the podcast hosts, Millie reflected on the complex experience of navigating adulthood in the public eye. Like most young people, she is learning to balance relationships, friendships, and self-discovery as she transitions from adolescence into adulthood.

However, as Millie points out, the only real difference is that she is doing all of this under intense public scrutiny. The extra pressure she now feels as a result of her fame has become especially pronounced since her 18th birthday.

“Once I turned 18, I definitely started to notice a difference in the way people were acting toward me, especially in the press and on social media,” Millie explained. “It can be overwhelming. I’m dealing with the same things any 18-year-old deals with, but because it’s happening in the public eye, it feels much more intense.”

The public’s reaction to Millie’s maturation has, unfortunately, mirrored the experiences of other young female stars who’ve come of age in front of the camera. Hollywood icons like Natalie Portman and Emma Watson have spoken out about the uncomfortable and hypersexualized attention they faced when they turned 18.

Despite their outspoken critiques, it seems that the oversexualization of young women in the media continues to persist, and Millie is one of the latest stars to find herself caught in this disturbing trend.

Millie didn’t hold back when describing how uncomfortable it feels to be treated as a sexual object rather than a young adult figuring out who she is. “It’s gross,” she said, reflecting on the way society sexualizes young girls. “It’s true, and I think it’s just a very good representation of what’s going on in the world.”

Unfortunately, this objectification is nothing new for Millie. From an early age, she has been the subject of unsolicited commentary about her body and appearance. She shared a vivid memory from when she was just 16 years old, preparing for an awards show.

“I remember thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to wear this outfit, just a little lower.’ I asked my mom and dad, ‘Can I please wear this?’ But when I stepped out, I was crucified for it.”

Millie’s frustration with the criticism is evident. She expressed disbelief that people would focus on her appearance rather than the talent and incredible work being celebrated at the event. “Is this really what we’re talking about?” she asked. “We should be talking about the incredible people that were there at the awards show, the talent, the things that we’re representing, not my body or what I’m wearing.”

Despite the constant criticism, Millie has learned to control what she shares with the public. Acknowledging that social media can be a toxic environment, she has decided to take a more careful approach to what she puts out there.

“Social media is the worst place of all time,” she admitted. “When people come to my page, I want them to be happy. I want them to see real things and have real conversations, not be exposed to a world that’s out to exploit them.”

Millie has made it clear that she will no longer share personal moments on social media. “You’re not going to see the personal part of me anymore,” she said. “I’m only going to show the things I choose to share. If there’s a 12-year-old who’s pretending to be 18 on Instagram, I want them to come to my page and not be exploited by the awful world out there.”

It’s clear that Millie’s wisdom and maturity have allowed her to handle these challenges with grace, but it’s also sad to think that this intense scrutiny may have forced her to grow up faster than she should have. Despite this, Millie remains focused on navigating the entertainment industry on her own terms. With her strong sense of self and unshakable confidence, she seems poised to handle whatever comes next.

Millie Bobby Brown’s journey, and the way she has been treated by the public, is a painful reminder of the challenges young women face in the spotlight. Her story is part of a broader conversation about the oversexualization of women in the media and the importance of respecting their autonomy and personal growth.

 As Millie continues to evolve as an artist and an individual, it’s crucial that the public shifts its focus from sensationalizing her appearance to recognizing her talents and achievements.