Millie Bobby Brown has opened up about being sexualized in Hollywood as a young actress.
Millie, now 18, was only 12 years old when she was cast in the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. But there has definitely been a dark side to attaining success at such a young age.
Speaking to comedian Deborah Frances-White and fellow actress Susan Wokoma on The Guilty Feminist podcast, the teenager discussed being thrust into the spotlight as a youngster and the "gross" way the media has responded to her reaching early adulthood.
Millie explained: "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."
On the sexualization she has experienced as a Hollywood starlet, Millie went on to say: "It can be really overwhelming. 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."
Millie also said that her experience in Hollywood is "a 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 for forever."
In February 2020, when she was just 16, she took to social media to share a stark message about the sexualization she has been forced to contend with as a child star.
She wrote: "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.
"The last few years haven't been easy, I'll admit that. 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.
"But not ever will i be defeated. [I'll] continue doing what i love and spreading the message in order to make change. Let's focus on what needs changing and I hope this video informs you on the things that go on behind the scenes of the headlines and flashing lights."
