Millie Bobby Brown has slammed media outlets for scrutinising her appearance, calling it “bullying” rather than journalism. The Stranger Things star, 21, took to Instagram on Tuesday to address coverage dissecting her "face, body, and choices" during recent promotional events for her upcoming Netflix film, ‘The Electric State’.

"The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices—it’s disturbing," Brown said in a video. “This isn’t journalism. This is bullying. Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

Brown, who started her career at 10, said growing up in the public eye has been challenging. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” she wrote.

Her blonde-haired look at recent events sparked online discussion, with some claiming it made her look older. Brown criticised headlines questioning her appearance, citing articles like ‘What has Millie Bobby Brown done to her face?’ and ‘Millie Bobby Brown mistaken for someone’s mom as she guides younger sister Ava through LA’.

"They act like I should still look the way I did in Stranger Things Season 1," she said. "I refuse to make myself smaller to fit unrealistic expectations. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself."

Celebrities including Buffy the Vampire Slayer alumna Emma Caulfield, Enola Holmes co-star Louis Partridge, and Brazilian actor Kevin Vechiatto voiced their support, praising Brown for handling the criticism with grace.