Millie Bobby Brown addresses viral video calling out critics

Millie Bobby Brown has addressed the overwhelming reaction to her recent video hitting out at critics of her appearance, who say she looks "grown up".

On US Today, the 21-year-old was asked about the viral post, saying she was "happy that people were able to resonate with the video."

"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 said.

Watch the video above.

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"I realised 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?"

But the actress revealed the moment didn't come stress-free, admitting she "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."

"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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The Stranger Things star, who found fame on the show after beginning to film it at age 11, said in her viral video, "I started in this industry when I was 10 years old.

"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."

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She then called out specific articles and writers, saying, "This isn't journalism. This is bullying."

"The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it's disturbing," she added.

"The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Makes it even worse."

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Brown held her ground, saying: "Disillusioned people can't handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not their own.

"I refuse to apologise for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can't handle seeing a girl become a woman."

"I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself. We have become a society where it's so much easier to criticise than it is to pay a compliment."

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The star told critics to "do better... for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing."

Two months before posting the video, she hit back at critics after one of her posts attracted negative comments about her appearance.

"Women grow!! not sorry about it :)" she wrote on a plain background.

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