Millie Bobby Brown, 18, is speaking out about being sexualized as a young girl in Hollywood. Brown frankly highlighted the struggles of growing up in the spotlight with guest host Susan Wokoma and presenter Deborah Frances-White on the Guilty Feminist podcast.
She stated, “I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with, navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships, and it’s all of those things,”.
“Being liked and trying to fit in, it’s all a lot, and you’re trying to [know] yourself while doing that. The only difference is obviously I’m doing that in the public eye.”
Brown went on to describe her struggle coping with being sexualized while also dealing with the day-to-day problems of being an adolescent.
“It can be really overwhelming,” Brown spoke about having to cope with being sexualized on top of the normal adolescent issues. “I have definitely been dealing with that more in the last couple weeks of turning 18. [I’m] definitely seeing a difference between the way people act and the way the press and social media react to me coming of age.”
“It’s gross,” Brown mentioned Hollywood, to which he added “is a really good representation of what’s going on in the world and how young girls are sexualised. I have been dealing with that — but I have also been dealing with that for forever.”
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Brown, who was just 12 years old when the blockbuster series Stranger Things premiered in 2016, stated that when she was younger, she was often chastised for being too adult, and for how she looked on the red carpet.
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“Once I was going on the red carpet and I thought, ‘Oh my god. I’m going to do a little low, just a little lower,'” She spoke about her clothing. “I was like 16 and was like, ‘Mum, Dad, please. Can I please wear this to this awards show?”
“I just got crucified,” she remembered “I thought is this really what we should be talking about? We should be talking about the incredible people that were there at the awards show, the talent that was there, the people we are representing.”
In fact, when Brown was 16, she posted a strong letter about the internet shaming and sexualization she’d experienced growing up in the spotlight.
She stated “16 has felt like a long time coming. I feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next. Our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grow and succeed,”
“There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me,” she said in an Instagram post on her 16th birthday in 2020. “But not ever will I be defeated. I’ll continue doing what I love and spreading the message in order to make change.”
@Milliestopshate You are the real #metoo movement. Keep speaking and please stay safe. #hollywoodfullofpedophiles.
— Blow Hard (Lets go Brandon) (@BlowHar62471987) April 12, 2022
Jane Davies
