Millie Bobby Brown has said she’s been the victim of ‘gross sexualisation’ since turning 18 in February.
The Stranger Things star spoke candidly about the objectification of her throughout her career, but said her hypersexualisation has increased since legally becoming an adult.
Brown was just 12 when she was cast in Netflix’s sci-fi smash hit and has spoken frankly about the negative impact growing up in the public eye has had on her in the past.
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In a recently-released episode of The Guilty Feminist podcast, Brown told host Deborah Frances-White she has been ‘dealing with sexualisation more’ since turning 18.
The actress explained: “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.”
Speaking about her experience in the industry, Brown added: “[It’s] a 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 forever.”
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Brown also pointed to backlash she once received for wearing a low-cut dress to an awards ceremony when she was a younger teenager, saying she was ‘crucified’ over her outfit.
“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,” she rightly noted.
The Enola Holmes star also discussed the added pressure she faces navigating life as a teenager on a global scale, calling it ‘overwhelming’.
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“I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with,” she explained. “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. It can be really overwhelming.”
Elsewhere, Brown branded social media ‘the worst place of all time’ and explained why she will no longer be posting about her personal life on platforms like Instagram.
“I’m not posting anything personal anymore. You’re not gonna see that part of me. You get to see the things I choose to put out in the world,” she said.
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Brown added: “I hope if there’s a 12-year-old that’s told Instagram they’re 18, and they’ve created an account, they’re going on my account and they’re not being exploited to the horrible world that’s out there.”
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Topics: Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things, Celebrity
Aisha Nozari