What the Hell Happened: Who Cares if Millie Bobby Brown ‘Looks Old’

In the 2024 film, “The Substance,” Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a once-celebrated aerobics show host, succumbs to Hollywood’s beauty standards and turns to a new radical drug to save her career. She transforms into a hotter, younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley) by splitting herself in two. The Oscar-nominated film was a massive success. It was lauded by critics for being radical, sharp, and most importantly, timely.

Simply put, we are living in an age where youth and beauty is not just desired, but rather expected. Beauty treatments of all kinds (for those who can afford them) offer a way to augment one’s looks to the max, so much so that they are considered brave or bold. Youth is increasingly commoditized, and “aging gracefully” seems to be fading from the cultural vocabulary as quickly as wrinkles from that first shot of botox.

From Demi Moore to Brooke Shields to Madonna, critiquing and criticizing older female celebrities on their matured appearances is unfortunately old news. But what does it mean when a 21-year-old star is targeted by that same societal toxin?

On March 3, award-winning actress Millie Bobby Brown posted a lengthy video on her Instagram account. In the video, she called out by name the journalists and tabloids who said she looks old for her age — specifically that she “looks like a 40-year-old” in her new movie, “The Electric State.” In the caption of the video, she wrote, “Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs. I refuse to apologize for growing up.”

She’s right. This statement is made even more powerful by the fact that Brown is the one saying it. Brown has been in the public spotlight since she was a preteen, when she was cast as Eleven in the hit show “Stranger Things.” Brown previously called out “forums” that counted down to her 18th birthday, suggesting she’s experienced sexualization from a young age. At every stage of her life, it seems like people have found something to critique — from being too young to now looking “too old.”

Not only is this a conversation about beauty standards and the societal challenges facing people of all ages, but it is also a pivotal discussion about the role of journalism today. Instead of challenging beauty norms or initiating important cultural dialogue, some believe the journalism industry often turns to base bullying, capitalizes on insecurity, and gives a platform to cruelty. In other words, they trade ethics for clicks, as Brown highlighted. Responsible journalism isn't just an important practice, it's a critical one. The way women view themselves and the world around them is dramatically influenced by the media, and messages of empowerment should be louder than those of criticism. Brown’s post is a rallying wake-up call.

Scroll a few posts higher on Millie Bobby Brown’s Instagram feed and one will see a speech from her as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, where she says, “I will not live in a world where girls aren’t treated equally or encouraged to live their lives to the fullest potential as teachers, doctors, lawyers, and scientists.”

The greatest tragedy in all this uproar regarding Brown’s appearance is that it distracts from the conversation that actually matters. Looks are, at the end of the day, just not that interesting. Society should, and must, look beyond them.

—Staff writer Caroline J. Rubin can be reached at caroline.rubin@thecrimson.com.