Millie Bobby Brown Speaks Out About the Insecurities She Developed as a Child Star
People can be so cruel.


Millie Bobby Brown has been deeply entrenched in the spotlight since she appeared on season 1 of Stranger Things, when she was 12.
Now 19, the British actress sadly still carries many of the insecurities she developed as a child star, as she vulnerably admitted in a new interview with British Glamour.
"I feel like sh*t today" is one of the first things Brown said to the reporter.
"I have a huge pimple on my face," she elaborated. "And I’m going to go on Instagram, and I’m going to see five different girls that look beautiful! Flawless! Stunning! And, OK, slay." This, she said, would very likely leave her "sobbing, because I know, I know I don’t look like that."
These struggles are relatable for many of us, famous or not, but for Brown, it seems like they were painfully exacerbated by how young she was when she first became well known.
When she was just 13, the actress recalls being accused of "trying to steal the thunder" of her Stranger Things costars, and being called things such as "an idiot," "stupid," and "a brat" by adults, who clearly had nothing better to do than to bully a child.
"It’s hard to hear that at 13," Brown said. "You’re like, 'I don't want to ever talk again. I don’t want to be the loud person.'
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"In interviews I couldn’t help but think of all the comments. So I just remembered to stay silent and speak when I was spoken to, even though I was dying to join in. I just felt it wasn’t my turn."
A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown
A photo posted by milliebobbybrown on
Because of these difficult experiences, Brown wants to help protect future child actors in any way she can.
"You cannot speak on children that are underage," she said. "I mean, our brains physically have not grown yet. To diminish and practically stunt someone’s growth mentally, strip them down, tell them, 'Hey, listen, you don’t look that great. Why are you wearing that? How dare you think you can wear that? How dare you say that?'"
These days, Brown has learned to protect herself and not let anyone's opinion of her cloud her own concept of herself.
"Nobody’s allowed in," she said. "Nobody can say sh*t." GOOD. FOR. HER.

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
James Middleton Shares Why He Was "Breathless and Flustered" During Meeting With Queen Elizabeth
"I heard a snort of laughter and looked past the Queen to see everyone in the room stifling their giggles."
By Kristin Contino
-
This Modern Princess Will Break a 600-Year-Old Tradition When She Takes the Throne
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway will follow in a long-ago ruler's footsteps.
By Kristin Contino
-
Hailey Bieber's "Favorite Jacket" Is Actually One She Designed
It's a piece for husband Justin Bieber's new brand.
By Halie LeSavage
-
Millie Bobby Brown Calls Out "Disturbing" Criticism of Her Appearance
"I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me."
By Lia Beck
-
Millie Bobby Brown Shared Video of the Emotional Goodbye Speech She Gave When ‘Stranger Things’ Wrapped Filming
"Isn't graduation supposed to bring relief?" the actress said in a goodbye speech to cast and crew, while holding back tears.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
Millie Bobby Brown Wears "Wifey" Shorts After Wedding to Jake Bongiovi
Also, a "wife of the party" hat.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Jon Bon Jovi Shares Adorable Details About Millie Bobby Brown's Wedding to His Son Jake Bongiovi
He's a proud and supportive dad.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Jon Bon Jovi Compares Millie Bobby Brown's Romance with His Son to His Own Marriage
Their whirlwind engagement apparently reminds Bon Jovi of his relationship with his wife.
By Meghan De Maria
-
Millie Bobby Brown Sweetly Chooses One of Her 'Stranger Things' Castmates to Officiate Her Upcoming Wedding
A fellow "Stranger Things" cast member will oversee her upcoming nuptials.
By Meghan De Maria
-
Millie Bobby Brown Admits to Being a "Karen" Who Leaves Negative Reviews Under a Fake Name
Didn't see that one coming!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Millie Bobby Brown on Getting Engaged at 19: "It's Like, Why Wait?"
She knows herself enough to make her own decisions.
By Iris Goldsztajn