Millie Bobby Brown Reflects on Critics Who Would ‘Rip Me Apart’ for ‘Looking Too Old’ as a Teenager

“None of you actually have an opinion,” she said in a new episode of Jay Shetty’s podcast

NEED TO KNOW Millie Bobby Brown appeared on Jay Shetty's 'On Purpose' podcast on July 13 The actress spoke about handling criticism about her appearance, in particular her clothing, since she was a teenager In 2025, Brown shared a lengthy message to the "bullies" who had openly scrutinized her looks Millie Bobby Brown has learned to move through the outside noise. The 22-year-old actress appeared on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast where she opened up about the more "challenging" parts of being a child actor.

"The things that didn't help me, my goodness. I would say public perception doesn't help," she began in the July 13 episode. "Growing up hearing the way people think about you constantly."

"I think I was 15 when people started saying I looked like a 60-year-old woman..." she said before detailing the commentary she would see about her outfits. "I would wear a big heel and people would say, my goodness who does she think she is?

But then I would wear a suit and people would rip me apart for looking too old. I've realized, [the haters are] all just walking contradictions. None of you actually have an opinion.

You're all kind of like robots." Brown has been vocal about defending herself against criticism over the years. In March 2025, the Stranger Things alum shared a lengthy message addressed to her "bullies," which began with the star questioning why it has been hard for the public to "grow up" alongside her.

"Instead, they act like I'm supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season 1, and because I don't, I'm now a target," she wrote. "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 continued.

"I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself." Featured On: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Later, Brown appeared on Today where she said that standing up for herself was "scary" but, "I'm happy that people were able to resonate with the video," she said, adding, "It's not just for people in the industry, it's for young girls all over the world who feel like they are targeted or harassed at times for the way they look or the way they present themselves." She continued: "I realized that if I'm not going to say it ...

and I'm never going to find a good time to say it, then why wait and just do it now?" Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. During her sit-down with Shetty, Brown reiterated that her experience in the spotlight inspired her to make it her "life's mission to protect young people in the industry."

Brown became the youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at age 14 in 2018. Through her partnership with the organization, she has brought awareness to children's rights around the world. Read the original article on People