When “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown was 15, she launched her own skin care line. After posting a clip of herself using her products, Brown became the subject of public scrutiny for “pretending” to use the products in her video.
In response to criticism, Brown apologized, claiming that she was “still learning” and “not an expert,” per The Independent.
This was not the first time the young actor was scrutinized by the public — nor the last.
Since starring in the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” from the time she was 11, Brown has grown up under the critical eye of the public. Brown believes young stars need better protection within the industry, she said in a Vanity Fair cover story.
As a teenager, contracts Brown signed as a child revealing her salary were leaked to the public. Those contracts “should have been protected so that they’re not on the record,” she told the outlet.
Brown was paid roughly $250,000 per episode of “Stranger Things” Season 3 and $10 million for the second “Enola Holmes” movie, according to leaked reports, giving way to “snarky headlines” about Brown’s salary, per Vanity Fair.
“It just puts children in a really dangerous situation,” Brown, who is now 20, told the outlet. “I think everybody’s a little bit too lax about the way that children are brought up in the industry. I grew up with a lot of eyes on my parents, but I feel that those were the people that protected me the most.”
Being taught by her parents how to say no at a young age has been a valuable asset, she said.
“I think it’s a very powerful word. My mom is very knowing and wise, and she advocates for herself. My dad has always been someone who pushes me to stand up for myself and never settle for anything less than what I deserve,” she told Vanity Fair.
Like child stars before her, Brown also wrestled with being sexualized from a young age. When she was 13, paparazzi snuck onto a set and took “invasive, voyeuristic shots of her,” the outlet reported. The photos were published by the media the following day.
“I think, just in general, there should be more laws with the media in terms of paparazzi in terms of exploitation,” Brown said.
Concerns about childhood stardom have escalated during recent years. Last year, the documentary “Quiet on Set” unveiled allegations of abuse directed at child actors who worked at Nickelodeon during the early aughts, as reported by The Deseret News.
It was followed by “Child Star,” a documentary co-directed by Disney Channel actor Demi Lovato, who started her career on “Barney & Friends” and starred in several Disney Channel original movies. “Child Star” explored the challenges of working in the film industry as a kid.
In a documentary about Brooke Shields, “Pretty Baby,” she recalled being “lonely” and sexually harassed.
Last summer, Brown married Jake Bongiovi — Jon Bon Jovi’s son — and now lives on a farm where she tends to animals and dreams of one day starring in a Broadway show or recording an album.
“I never wanted to be famous,” Brown told the outlet. “That was never my thing. I just love acting.”