Millie Bobby Brown has clapped back at media coverage that scrutinised her appearance, calling out headlines and articles that commented on her ‘poor ageing’.

The 21-year-old actress, who rose to fame as a child in the Netflix horror-fantasy hit series Stranger Things, addressed the issue in a statement, highlighting the persistent judgement faced by young women in the public eye.

“I started in this industry when I was 10 years old. I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” Brown wrote. “Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look like I did on Stranger Things Season 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”

Brown referenced several headlines focusing on her appearance, including one questioning why she was “ageing so badly”. She criticised the tendency of media outlets to tear down young women rather than uplift them.

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” she stated. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. The fact that some of these articles are written by women. Even worse.”

The 20-year-old rejected the idea that she should conform to outdated expectations, asserting her right to grow up on her terms.

“I refuse to apologize for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman,” she wrote. “I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”

Brown also questioned why negative commentary on women’s appearances remains a focus in media. “Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice? If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder—what is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable?”

Brown closed her address by asking people and the media to “do better…not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing”.