Young & Famous… What’s The Harm?A Closer Look at Millie Bobby Brown
By Jaclyn Lupo
Almost instantly Millie Bobby Brown found success as an actress. Her role as Eleven on Netflix’s Stranger Things is widely appreciated in Hollywood. Even though she wasn’t even a teenager yet when season one was released, she quickly proved herself to be a respectable star. Not only was Stranger Things well received, but Eleven became one of the most influential characters in the show. She was deemed successful by society before graduating from middle school and was idolized by young girls since she achieved what seemed impossible. Millie Bobby Brown is incredibly talented. She truly deserves all the hype that surrounds her career.
Most importantly, Millie is dedicated to initiating positive change and seeks to be a prominent voice in the fight for a better future. She’s an inspiring role-model since she stands up for what she believes in. As UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador, she works to raise awareness and help as many children as possible. UNICEF, the United Nation’s International Children’s Fund, supports children all over the globe. This is a wonderful organization, and, incredibly, Millie is choosing to use her fame for a good cause. Additionally, she speaks out against bullying by motivating people to embrace their authentic selves. She claims that is one of the main messages in Stranger Things as well, which is why she is so committed to sharing it. It’s no surprise why Millie made the TIME 100 list in 2018 as one of the most influential people in the world. However, it breaks my heart that Millie was forced to grow up overnight.
Today, Millie is only 16 years old, yet she is a leader, activist, and fashion influencer when she is not on set. Millie’s hairstyles have been closely watched along with the latest trends she rocks. From powerful suits to new hair extensions, the world can’t help but be obsessed with this incredible teenager. This comes at a high price though, her life is constantly under surveillance. Millie is extremely mature for her age and is even noted to be wise beyond her years. Some people are naturally like this, but we can’t deny Hollywood’s influence on her behaviors. The responsibilities she holds are more aligned with those of an adult, which forced Millie to grow up at an expedited rate.
Recently, Millie revealed that she almost quit acting for good when she did not get the role of Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. As shocking as the news sounds, considering how celebrated she is now, it makes sense. When you are young the feelings associated with rejection are magnified. The acting industry is filled with judgments that can be traumatizing to some degree, especially for young women. When you are told you are not good enough it hurts, and instinctually you begin to reconsider the path you are going down. Millie courageously faced what seemed like an endless amount of “no’s” until she made her breakthrough as Eleven where she proved herself to the industry. She teaches us to follow our hearts, no matter what anyone says. It’s important to realize that success does not happen overnight, even for teen stars.
Even though she has accomplished more in her life so far than most do in their whole lives, Millie never got to have a traditional childhood. I do not think sacrificing your childhood for fame is worth it. Simply put, you can never get your childhood back. When you’re young, it’s so easy to get swept away daydreaming about life when you’re older. We fantasized about what we would do, where we would live, and even who we would marry. We wanted to fast forward our lives and find ourselves in that future world we craved. What most kids don’t realize is that there are pressures and responsibilities accosted with adulthood. For those few, short years we got to explore and discover ourselves freely. I could escape to my imaginary castle, or get lost in a sea of lava, but at the end of the day, I always found myself eating dinner with my family. At the time, I didn’t appreciate the beauty of being able to do whatever my heart desired all day long. As I approach my 20s, those moments spent playing carelessly are the ones I cherish most. Whether I was out riding my bike with my sister or trying on my mother’s clothes, those are the moments that shaped me into the woman I am today.
My point is that I want to ensure that you do not wish away your youth. You are capable of achieving all your goals. Please, do not rush your life. I promise that you will get exactly where you want to be someday, however, for now, just enjoy your life. Every second you are growing older, so embrace yourself and start living in the present. Stop comparing yourself to others and just let yourself be content with who you are right now. I believe that one day you will live your dream, but for now please focus on living your life!
Jaclyn Lupo is an editorial writer passionate about fashion, sustainability and culture.