Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things

SUMMARY

  • At just 12, Millie Bobby Brown faced harsh online trolling, with critics labeling her "bratty" for simply being enthusiastic.
  • Unfair scrutiny forced her to suppress her personality, showing the troubling double standards young stars, especially women, endure in fame.
  • Despite ongoing criticism, Brown’s resilience has shone through as she carves her own path while bidding Stranger Things a heartfelt goodbye.

At just 12 years old, Millie Bobby Brown became the breakout star of Stranger Things. But while fans fell in love with her on-screen character Eleven, the off-screen reality was far less kind. Critics and internet trolls pounced on the young actress during press tours, nitpicking everything from her enthusiasm to her personality. 

21 Laps Entertainment Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things | Credits: 21 Laps Entertainment

Brown faced an onslaught of unwarranted negativity. Her early days in Hollywood were a whirlwind of fame and unfair scrutiny — a chapter that deserves to be revisited.

From rising star to target: Millie Bobby Brown’s journey through unfair scrutiny

Millie Bobby Brown Stranger thingsMillie Bobby Brown in Stranger things | Credits: 21 Laps Entertainment

Millie Bobby Brown’s rise to fame as Eleven in Stranger Things was impeccable. But while the world praised her talent, the internet wasn’t so kind. 

Back then, the 12-year-old kid was ridiculed for being “too talkative” during press tours, with critics branding her “bratty” and “vain” for simply being an enthusiastic pre-teen. Compilation videos called her “cringey” and implied her castmates secretly hated her — a cruel narrative for someone still in middle school.

This online harassment hit hard. In a 2023 Glamour interview, Brown admitted she felt pressured to change her behavior, saying (via entertainment.ie), 

In interviews, I couldn’t help but think of all the comments, so I just remembered to stay silent and speak when I was spoken to. Even though I was dying to join in, I just felt it wasn’t my turn.

Imagine being forced to suppress your personality at that age. It’s heartbreaking.

the problem with "ungrateful" actresses 🙄

Fast forward, and Brown still can’t seem to escape criticism. When she expressed her readiness to move on from Stranger Things after seven years, detractors labeled her “unappreciative.” Yet, her actual words tell a different story: 

I feel like there’s a lot of the story that’s been told now. It’s been in our lives for a very long time, but I’m very ready to say goodbye to this chapter of my life and open new ones. I’m able to create stories myself that are important to me and focus on the bigger picture, but I am really grateful.

Why the hate, you may wonder? Perhaps it’s jealousy. She’s young, wealthy, and candid — traits often unfairly scrutinized, especially in women. 

Or maybe it’s the misconception that distancing herself from Stranger Things signals disrespect rather than growth. Either way, the harsh treatment Brown endured, then and now, goes to show the society’s troubling double standards.

Millie Bobby Brown deserves recognition for her resilience. At 20, she’s more than earned the right to carve her own path, unapologetically.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Tearful Goodbye to Stranger Things

21 Laps EntertainmentMillie Bobby Brown in Stranger things | Credits: 21 Laps Entertainment

Millie Bobby Brown bid an emotional farewell to Stranger Things. In a tearful clip shared on Instagram, the 20-year-old choked up while reading a goodbye speech on set. She said,

Isn’t graduation supposed to bring relief, like you’re glad to leave behind the teachers and classmates? Not me. I am nowhere near ready to leave you guys. I love each and every one of you, and I’ll forever carry the memories and bonds we’ve created together as a family. I love you. Thank you.

Brown, who was 12 when the sci-fi phenomenon premiered in 2016, reflected on her journey with nostalgic photos. 

Netflix confirmed filming wrapped for the final season, debuting in 2025. Co-stars Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp also shared heartfelt tributes, marking the end of an unforgettable era.

Stranger Things is available to watch on Netflix.

Millie Bobbie Brown

Written by Heena Singh

Articles Published: 726

Heena Singh is a writer at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.