Millie Bobby Brown has called out certain journalists, and her points are valid.

      In journalism, headlines play a crucial role. They are the first elements readers encounter and often influence whether they click on an article, making it essential for them to be captivating. Whether it's enticing celebrity gossip or a life-altering tip, they should not entail criticisms of women's appearances merely for the sake of views. Millie Bobby Brown has faced such scrutiny for years, and she is now publicly addressing the journalists involved by name. This is a justified action, as we have repeatedly seen that in order for a woman to be heard, particularly in Hollywood, she often must take action herself.

      During her recent press tour, Millie has been subjected to cruel headlines such as “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,” which condemn her for aging at just 21 years old. Despite being a remarkably talented actress and entrepreneur, the focus of these headlines is her appearance, especially claims that she is aging “horribly.”

      Ironically, just days after the horror film The Substance—a story about an aging actress who uses a shot to transform into a younger, more attractive version of herself—was celebrated at the 97th Academy Awards, Millie had to take to Instagram to urge the media to stop criticizing her looks and allow her to mature. "I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman," she stated. Women in Hollywood are not permitted to age, even in their 20s. The same outlets that previously applauded them dispose of them as soon as they no longer conform to the unattainable and ever-evolving image that Hollywood expects them to embody. This behavior is not new, yet it is outrageous that it persists in 2025.

      We can reflect on the treatment of stars like Britney Spears and Anna-Nicole Smith in the early 2000s with shock, but we somehow fail to recognize similar behavior as it occurs today. Despite pretense surrounding “girls supporting girls” and “women uplifting women,” these attacks continue unabated. Recently, Lindsay Lohan attracted attention for her “glow-up,” with the internet applauding how much “better” she looks. While it might seem like a compliment, the casual way we analyze women's appearances, whether positively or negatively, is disturbing. Millie remarked, “This isn’t journalism. This is bullying.” She added, “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices is disturbing.”

      “I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman.”

      —Millie Bobby Brown

      Perhaps because we witnessed Millie grow up, people feel entitled to comment on her appearance. In contrast, her male co-stars from Stranger Things are permitted to age and evolve without their every action becoming a news headline. The parasocial connections that media and fans forge with celebrities are not genuine, yet they obscure the real individuals behind the criticism. We do not know these figures. We have no right to their choices. Although years have gone by since TMZ mocked Britney for shaving her head, the media still treats young women and their bodies as mere clickbait. Women are seen not as individuals but as tools for generating traffic. This issue extends beyond celebrities; it affects all women. Millie expressed her intention behind her video as “not just for me but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

      I recall the gossiping mothers in high school who criticized teenage girls' outfits and bodies—I will never forget an ex-friend’s mother suggesting that a classmate needed a nose job when we were merely 15. The pressure I felt then, hearing adults judge our every move, was overwhelming. Now, imagine that pressure on a global scale, where such comments are not whispered but published in outlets like The Daily Mail. It is unfathomable.

      “The fact that we’ve reverted to an era where it’s perfectly acceptable to tear apart women’s bodies in the media—at the same time those bodies are having their rights stripped away in the government—isn’t a coincidence.”

      Some may argue that these are merely words and that a few snarky headlines do not reflect a broader societal view of women. However, the media actively shapes the dialogues we engage in, often amplifying existing narratives. While entertainment journalism has its place, covering “lighter” topics doesn’t exempt it from causing genuine harm. We must interrogate why certain stories are reported, who benefits from them, and what they reveal about larger societal trends. The regression to a time when it’s deemed acceptable to criticize women’s bodies in the media—especially simultaneously with a government stripping those same bodies of their rights—is no coincidence.

      When the media normalizes commentary on women's bodies, it sends the message that everyone else can do the same