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Millie Bobby Brown is calling out hurtful comments on her looks and the plastic surgery accusations that left her "depressed" for days.
In a new interview with British Vogue, the 21-year-old Stranger Things star opened up about the intense criticism and "bullying" she got over her appearance while promoting her film The Electric State earlier this year. When some online critics and media outlets started throwing out aging insults and rumors that she had gone under the knife, Brown admitted the scrutiny took a toll on her mental health, per People.
"I was depressed for three, four days. I was crying every day," she said.
Brown noted that media attention is part of her job as an actor, but there is a line when salacious headlines become outright "bullying."
"I love reading articles on my favorite people and hearing what they're up to," she said. "I understand that there's paparazzi, even though it's invasive, even though it feels like s--- to me — I know that's your job... But don't, in your headline, slam me at the get-go. It is so wrong and it is bullying, especially to young girls who are new to this industry and are already questioning everything about it."
The Enola Holmes actress clapped back at the haters at the time, even sharing a powerful message about refusing to "apologize for growing up" and slamming critics who "can’t seem to grow with me." Speaking to British Vogue, she explained why it was important to call out the behavior as it was happening.
"If me being blonde or wearing more makeup really bothers you, I'm going to address it — not just for myself, but for every other girl who wants to try a new hairstyle or wear a red lip," she said. "It's, like, get off my f---ing case, you know? I am 21. I am going to have fun and play and be myself."
She continued, "I can't silence the 500 million people behind their phones. So what is the realistic route here? I think it's just uplift and empower young people. Can we fight back harder? Can we instill self-love and confidence into girls to be able to believe in themselves no matter what anyone says? That I can do. That I will do."
Elsewhere in the interview, Brown opened up about becoming a mom to a baby girl she adopted this year with her husband Jake Bongiovi and detailed why she has no plans on sharing any personal details about her daughter with the public.