Millie Bobby Brown hits back at critics of her 'grown-up' appearance with powerful message: 'I will not be shamed for how I look'

Millie Bobby Brown has hit back at critics of her appearance after fans and various international media outlets remarked on how "grown up" she looked recently and even questioned if she had plastic surgery.

The British actress and Stranger Things star, 21, shared a powerful video message to her more than 63.2 million followers on Instagram, saying she believes many people expect her to always look like she did playing Eleven, her character on the hit show.

Brown, who recently married Jon Bon Jovi's son Jake Bongiovi, called out some of the articles and headlines and said it was "bullying".

Watch the video above.

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"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," she began.

"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."

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.

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"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."

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."

Brown, just two months ago, hit back after one of her posts attracted negative comments about her appearance.

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"Women grow!! not sorry about it :)" she wrote.

"Why does everyone think it's acceptable to comment on someone's looks?" a follower commented at the time, in defence of the star.

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