Millie Bobby Brown showed she’s unafraid to stand her ground. While attending a screening of Stranger Things Season 5 in London on November 13, photographers called out to the 21-year-old actress, demanding she smile. Brown shot back, “Smile? You smile!” before walking away.
The Enola Holmes star turned heads at the event in a strapless corset dress, paired with sheer black tights, black shoes, delicate rings, and dangling earrings. She opted for subtle makeup and styled her long brunette hair in a center part, pinning back the front pieces while letting the rest flow freely.
Brown isn’t alone in challenging intrusive photographers. Singer Chappell Roan called out a photographer at the premiere of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS in October 2024, saying, “You were so disrespectful to me at the Grammys,” and demanding an apology.
Similarly, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham told a photographer at the Olivier Awards in April 2024, “Don’t be a d—. Otherwise, I’ll veer off. Don’t say, ‘Show me the legs.'”
This isn’t the first time Brown has pushed back against media criticism. In March, she addressed negative comments on Instagram regarding her appearance. Recalling some of the backlash, she said, “‘Oh my God, what has she done with her face? Why has she gone blonde? She looks 60 years old!'”
Brown added, “I respect journalism. I love reading articles on my favorite people and hearing what they’re up to. I understand that there’s paparazzi, even though it’s invasive, even though it feels like s— to me.
I know that’s your job. But don’t, in your headline, slam me at the get-go. It is so wrong and it is bullying, especially to young girls who are new to this industry and are already questioning everything about it.”
The criticism stemmed from her stylistic choices during the press tour for her film The Electric State, where she dyed her hair blonde and wore clothes inspired by Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson to honor the 1990s themes of the movie. On Instagram, Brown questioned why people expect her to “stay frozen in time” and always look like she did in Season 1 of Stranger Things.
She explained that she spoke out “not just for myself, but for every other girl who wants to try a new hairstyle or wear a red lip.”