Millie Bobby Brown on ‘gross’ way she has been sexualized as a teen

Millie Bobby Brown has opened up about the “gross” sexualization she faced in Hollywood as a young teenager trying to make it big.

The British actress, who was only 12 when she landed a lead role in Netflix’s smash hit “Stranger Things,” opened up about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight.

Appearing on The Guilty Feminist podcast, Brown dished on how turning 18 really put things into perspective for her.

“I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with, navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships, and it’s all of those things,” she said.

“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,” Brown said of having to deal with being sexualized in Hollywood. “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,” she continued, explaining that her experience in Hollywood is “a good representation of what’s going on in the world and how young girls are sexualized. I have been dealing with that — but I have also been dealing with that for forever.”

When Brown was 16, she shared a powerful message addressing the online criticism and sexualization she’s faced growing up in the spotlight.

She wrote at the time, “16 has felt like a long time coming. I feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next. Our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grow and succeed.”

“There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me,” she wrote on an Instagram post celebrating her 16th birthday in 2020.

“But not ever will I be defeated. I’ll continue doing what I love and spreading the message in order to make change,” she added.