Why is Millie Bobby Brown Calling Out Female Writers on IG? 

“Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown aging so badly?” “What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?” “‘Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA.”

These are all actual headlines published about the 21-year-old Stranger Things star, and she’s had enough. Millie took to Instagram today, seemingly makeup-free, and called out specific writers who have been criticizing her appearance. On today’s episode of The Toast, hosts Claudia and Jackie reacted to Millie’s brutally honest video.

Why is Millie Bobby Brown Calling Out Female Writers on IG? 

Where did this even start?

Jackie broke it down for us: “So Millie Bobby Brown has been in the news, and also just online. She’s been bee-bopping around at different premieres, in different gowns and her look has changed.” 

For those not following, MBB was at the SAG awards and the premiere of her new movie, The Electric State. She turned 21 and got married to Jon Bon Jovi’s son, Jake Bongiovi. So she’s been very visible, and as Claudia put it, “She’s got blonde hair. She seems to have done some fillers. She looks very mature.”

Why does anyone care how “old” Millie Bobby Brown looks?

After people on X (fka Twitter) and Instagram started commenting on her looks, media outlets picked up the story. But it’s been nearly 10 years since Stranger Things premiered—didn’t people expect her to get older? Why is this such a big deal? Claudia had a theory.

“She’s been known and got famous as a prepubescent child, she was 10 years old. So people have this fixed image of her in their minds.” Because Millie was famous as a kid, the Toast hosts theorized, “people are more obsessed with it.”

Maybe it’s also because Eleven, MBB’s character in Stranger Things, had an iconic look that inspired countless Halloween costumes. “Anything other than looking like Eleven is hard for them to digest,” said Jackie. 

“Right, bald with a bloody nose,” agreed Claudia. 

“I’m sure she’s grateful for the role, but hates it,” said Jackie.

So does Millie resent being frozen in people’s minds as Eleven? Maybe. She has spoken publicly about the fact that being famous at such a young age made it difficult for her to make friends. “I didn’t go to school, so I don’t have the best social skills when it comes to people my own age and friendships,” she said in a Vanity Fair interview, published on February 12. “I struggle with that quite a bit. And I missed out on a few things. But I’m working through them.”

But she’s also been open about her love for the Stranger Things cast and crew. She posted a video on Instagram of the farewell speech she gave to her on-set family on December 20, 2024. “I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys,” she said through tears.

What did she say in her clapback video?

Clauds and Jacks read Millie’s whole Instagram statement aloud on the pod, but here it is for your reading pleasure. 

Claudia and Jackie’s take

Millie definitely has the support of the ladies on this one. “Millie Bobby Brown seems like she’s in a happy stable phase of her life,” said Jackie. “If she wants to go off and dress and do whatever she wants, this is a happy healthy person! It might not be what I would do, but I have no issue.”

Claudia also pointed out that your early 20s are a time for experimentation. “You play with your look, you try different things. Obviously, she’s like a wealthy famous person,” she noted, so the types of experimentation might be a little different. “We try new lipsticks, and she maybe tries new plastic surgeons.” Still, as far as the ladies could see, “There’s nothing abnormal about this.”

Millie’s changing up her look also doesn’t seem like a “cry for help” or a sign of mental health issues. “It’s really just the hair, and the dress, and the makeup […] It’s like she’s putting on a costume,” said Jackie.

“Nothing about this is giving red flag energy,” agreed Claudia.

“Lighten up on her!” said Jackie.

What’s the takeaway?

Who among us did not say or wear or do something crazy when we were 21? Millie Bobby Brown is getting dragged for doing what humans have done since the beginning of time—growing up. And honestly, she deserves space to evolve. Will all these haters still be giving her a hard time when Stranger Things 5 finally comes out? Or will they, like the rest of us, be glued to their screens to see how things wrap up in Hawkins, Indiana?

For more hot celebrity takes and all the latest tea, make sure to tune in to The Toast. You’ll also love Not Skinny But Not Fat,  and for some Hollywood realness, check out The Squeeze (hosted by Taylor Lautner and his wife… whose name is also Taylor Lautner).