Millie Bobby Brown recently addressed ongoing criticism about her appearance in a candid conversation on the Call Her Daddy podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper. The 21-year-old Stranger Things star responded to tabloid headlines and online comments claiming she looks older than her age, with some even suggesting that she appears 40. Brown dismissed the comments with a pragmatic take: having entered the spotlight at just 10 years old, it’s only natural that she’s grown and matured over the past decade.

Reflecting on the scrutiny, Brown admitted the criticism no longer fazed her as much as it once did. She revealed that earlier in her career, the pressure to meet public expectations led her to try altering herself to please others, but she has since embraced her evolving identity. Whether it be changes in her accent, her choice to wear makeup, or simply growing up, Brown now views these as integral parts of who she is. Millie went on to call out the unfair judgment women endure about their appearances, arguing it’s a standard that should no longer be accepted.

Earlier this month, Brown took to Instagram to confront media outlets like the Daily Mail, accusing them of overstepping boundaries by dissecting her face, body, and personal choices. In a pointed video, she expressed frustration, especially at female journalists participating in what she called "bullying," making it clear she won’t apologize for maturing into adulthood on her own terms and rejecting societal pressures to remain frozen in time. "Disillusioned people can't handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs. 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 said. 

During the podcast, Brown voiced her disdain for this persistent critique, describing it as something that warps how people perceive the world and erodes their ability to focus on the positive. “If I had a genie wish, I really would wish that no one ever had to go through that kind of scrutiny because it changes the kind of person you are," she admitted. She also took a swipe at the press, suggesting they could use a refresher in basic decency and empathy, given that everyone is a work in progress.

Brown’s comments come amid her promotional tour for The Electric State, a new Netflix film co-starring Chris Pratt. She also touched on her journey to this moment of defiance in a recent "Tonight Show" appearance, acknowledging she had hesitated due to fear of backlash but ultimately realized she couldn’t wait any longer to stand up for herself. 

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is set to premiere on Netflix later this year.