Millie Bobby Brown says she has 'trust issues' from growing up as a child actor in the spotlight
- Millie Bobby Brown told Glamour about how being a famous child actor affected her emotionally.
- The "Stranger Things" star said commenting on kids' appearance and behavior can "stunt someone's growth."
Millie Bobby Brown is speaking out on behalf of other child actors who are following in her footsteps after enduring criticism of her appearance and actions while growing up in the spotlight.
The 19-year-old actor, who was named one of Glamour's global women of the year in 2023, is one of the breakout stars of "Stranger Things," which premiered on Netflix in 2016. She's been candid about the toll of growing up as a celebrity — and particularly as a young woman.
"You cannot speak on children that are underage," Brown told Glamour. "I mean, our brains physically have not grown yet. To diminish and practically stunt someone's growth mentally, strip them down, tell them, 'Hey, listen, you don't look that great. Why are you wearing that? How dare you think you can wear that? How dare you say that?'"
Brown has previously spoken out about being sexualized as a child celebrity, growing "thicker skin" from being cyberbullied, and curtailing her social media access.
Brown told Glamour that these days, "nobody can say shit" about her. Now, she said, she's very selective with who she lets into her life.
"And yes, it's sad," she said. "There are trust issues. And yes, I have issues with having friends. I don't have a lot of friends. Yes, I block out a lot of people."
Even though Brown said her protectiveness has made her socially "reserved," she's resolute in maintaining those boundaries.
"I will never let that gate open again," she said. "Because everyone's crossed it."