Millie Bobby Brown Says It Was 'Scary' to Speak Out Against Critics of Her Appearance

Millie Bobby Brown says posting her recent Instagram video responding to critics was "scary."

During a Tuesday, March 11, Today show appearance to promote her new movie The Electric State, the actress, 21, opened up about her decision to call out recent media stories that criticized her appearance.

"I’m happy that people were able to resonate with the video," Brown told Today host Savannah Guthrie. "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?"

When Guthrie asked about the aftermath of the clip, Brown shared, "I kind of shut my phone off after because I was a little overwhelmed. But again, I’m so happy people were able to feel like they connected with the video."

The Stranger Things actress added, "Yeah, it was a scary thing to do. I didn’t know how people were going to react so it’s nice to see that reaction."

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Following a rise in articles about her appearance, Brown took to Instagram to share a makeup-free video on Monday, March 3.

“I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” she said. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow up with me.”

“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 continued.

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Brown also called out specific headlines and journalists, including a Daily Mail article that claimed comedian and actor Matt Lucas "took a savage swipe" at the actress. The article included an X post from Feb. 26 in which Lucas shared a photo of Brown after the Electric State premiere and wrote, "no but yeah but," which is the catchphrase of the Little Britain character Vicky Pollard. The actor later added, "I love her, btw."

In a text post shared to Instagram, Lucas apologized to Brown and said he was "mortified" by the article.

"Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context," he wrote. "Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases."

He continued, "I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I 'slammed' you, firstly because that's not my style, and secondly because I think you're brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt x"