Millie Bobby Brown’s scathing criticism of media coverage aimed at her appearance has struck a nerve – not just with fans, but with some in the industry itself.
The Stranger Things star recently posted a video on Instagram condemning the way journalists dissect her appearance, calling out multiple journalists by name for what she described as “disturbing” and “bullying” behaviour.
“Let’s talk about the articles, the headlines, the people who are so desperate to tear young women down,” the 21-year-old said, before reading out a series of damaging headlines speculating about plastic surgery, mocking her supposed “mommy makeover,” and amplifying insults from comedian Matt Lucas.
“This isn’t journalism,” Brown told her followers. “This is bullying. The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices – it’s disturbing.”
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Brown’s comments have sparked debate over the ethics of tabloid journalism, where engagement-driven content is sometimes accused of prioritising controversy over responsible reporting. Her criticism has also resonated with some journalists.
One North West-based reporter, who asked not to be named due to their role at a major publisher, told Prolific North: “I hate most of what I’m asked to write. The minute a story is trending, we have to find angles and reactions to it regardless of whether there is anything to say.
“Most of it is based on pretty flimsy stuff, stuff taken off social, and we all swarm on it, and whoever comes at it in the most left-field way seems to win. And usually, that ends up being a pretty negative stance and then everyone jumps on that. It’s a big circle.
“Page views are king, sadly, regardless of what the views are for. It’s soul-destroying.”
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The journalists called out by Bobby Brown work at Daily Mail or DMG Media titles. Prolific North has approached the publisher for comment.
Prolific North also contacted regional publishers Newsquest and Reach to see if they had thoughts about the wider culture in celebrity journalism but they declined to comment.
Speaking to Stephen Chapman recently over on MediaCity’s new podcast, former ITV Granada legend and presenter Lucy Meacock spoke about the “importance” of quality in online news publishing. There will be “all types of journalism” that comes to the fore over the next 40 years but she hopes it will be “good quality” and that it’s “not just about clickbait” – leaving the most importance line to the last sentence of the story.
“I do think unless we drive that quality of material up, people are just going to stop going to certain news outlets and I think that will be a terrible mistake.”
As soon as the “trust is lost”, it’s “very difficult to get it back again”.
The Millie Bobby Brown controversy was sparked after social media users made backhanded comments suggesting the Enola Holmes star looked like a “40-year-old woman in her 20s” and many tabloids, not just the Daily Mail, quickly seized on the ‘story’ amplifying what some see as trolling rather than calling it out.
Comedian Matt Lucas even responded to apologise for causing offence. On Instagram, he wrote: “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context. Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain.
“There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases. I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I ‘slammed’ you, firstly because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant. I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that I apologise. Matt.”
