Millie Bobby Brown calls out media for sexualizing her more, now that she’s 18

Stranger Things and Enola Holmes actor Millie Bobby Brown appeared on the Guilty Feminist podcast this week – via the Los Angeles Times – and opened up about how the press and social media sexualized her throughout her career.

After turning 18 in February, Brown, who was only 12 when Stranger Things debuted, has pointed out that she’s already observed a difference in how much more she’s now being sexualized as opposed to before.

“Any 18-year-old is dealing with navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships and being liked and trying to fit in,” she said. “It’s all a lot, and you’re trying to find yourself while doing that. The only difference is that, obviously, I’m doing that in the public eye, so it can be really overwhelming.”

Brown asserted that just “within two weeks of turning 18,” she is “dealing with [being sexualized] more and definitely seeing a difference between the way people act and the way that the press and social media react to her coming of age.”

The starlet held, “I believe that shouldn’t change anything, but it’s gross and it’s true. It’s a very good representation of what’s going on in the world and how young girls are sexualized. I have been dealing with that — but I have also been dealing with that forever.”

Brown also remembered being “crucified” by the same media at the mere age of 16 for wearing a slightly lower-cut gown to an awards show. The actor said, “I thought ‘My, is this really what we’re talking about? We should be talking about the incredible people that were there at the award show.’”

Brown is set to reprise her role of Eleven in Stranger Things 4, the first part of which launches May 27 on Netflix. The actor also has the Enola Holmes sequel expected to arrive on Netflix later this year, as per Variety. Brown and the streaming giant will reunite for its original Damsel, which the actor is also executive producing.