Millie Bobby Brown criticizes media for ‘bullying’ headlines about her appearance

Millie Bobby Brown called out the media, saying, “I respect journalism, but don’t attack me.”

Millie Bobby Brown is calling out the media for what she describes as unfair and invasive treatment, saying she’s had enough of being judged for her looks in headlines.

In a new British Vogue interview, the Stranger Things actor said her biggest frustration with the press is how often journalists use demeaning language when covering women in the industry.

Brown revealed that during the promotion of Netflix’s The Electric State, she was left in tears almost daily after seeing headlines that mocked her appearance.

“I have so much respect for journalism,” Brown told Vogue. “But don’t attack me in the first line of your story. It’s cruel, and it’s bullying, especially for young women who are already uncertain about themselves.”

The 21-year-old had earlier posted a viral Instagram video in March, slamming publications such as The Daily Mail for publishing comments about her hair color and face. Some stories questioned whether she had changed her appearance and even compared her to much older women.

Brown said that kind of criticism affected her deeply, admitting she “spent days feeling depressed” and even broke down backstage at the BRIT Awards before presenting an award to singer Sabrina Carpenter.

“When someone like Sabrina says, ‘Forget them,’ it hits you,” Brown recalled. “It reminds you to hold your ground.”

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The actor explained that her decision to respond publicly wasn’t just about defending herself but about standing up for other young women who face the same kind of scrutiny.

“If me being blonde or wearing makeup bothers you that much, that’s your problem,” she said. “I’m going to live my life. I’m 21, I get to experiment and have fun.”

In her earlier Instagram statement, Brown had accused some entertainment writers of crossing the line between commentary and cruelty.

“Adults dissecting my face and body isn’t journalism; it’s bullying,” she said. “We always talk about empowering women, yet we tear them down for clicks. I’m not going to apologize for growing up.”

Now preparing for the release of Stranger Things 5, the final season of the hit Netflix series, Brown said she’s also focused on protecting her private life, especially after recently adopting a baby girl with her husband, Jake Bongiovi.

“Protecting her story matters to me,” Brown told Vogue. “When she’s old enough, she can decide what she wants to share. Until then, it’s my job as a mother to keep her out of the spotlight.”

Brown’s comments have reignited a broader conversation about tabloid ethics, celebrity privacy, and the treatment of young women in entertainment.