Sometimes it's inevitable. You have to call out by name the so-called "journalists" who write body-shaming articles about you. That's exactly what Millie Bobby Brown did.
In her latest Instagram post, the Stranger Things star posted a video under which she wrote a note addressing the tendency of some publications to write negatively about her appearance, including women writers.
In her video, Brown wondered why people find it difficult to accept the sight of someone growing up naturally and why they expect her to remain "frozen in time" as she did on Stranger Things Season 1. She mentions how she has been made a "target" because of her changed appearance.
“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying," she added, referring to the list of article headlines in the caption. "The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices is disturbing. And the fact that some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse. We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when it comes down to it, it seems a lot easier to just tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman, on her terms, not their own. 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. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”
Brown also asked why society has come down to such a level that they find it easier to "criticise than it is to pay a compliment" and questioned the "knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than just say something nice. If you have a problem with that, I have to wonder: What is it that actually makes you so uncomfortable?"
The actress, who made her acting debut at age 13, suggested everyone do a bit of self-introspection and think about doing better not just for her, but for "every young girl who deserves to grow up without the fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”
Brown will be next seen in the Russo brothers' new sci-fi film The Electric State, co-starring Chris Pratt, which will hit Netflix on March 14.
