25 Former Female Child Stars Who Exposed The Dark Reality Of Hollywood

Some things really do have to be seen to be understood.

1. Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown has been in the public eye since she was 12, but the inappropriate attention she has faced intensified as she grew older. When she turned 16, the Stranger Things star opened up about the ongoing harassment she experienced on social media and in the press. “There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, s*xualization, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me…” she said. Brown has frequently criticized the “gross” s*xualization she has endured, describing it as a lifelong struggle. She noted on The Guilty Feminist podcast that the behavior of the media and social platforms shifted significantly once she turned 18, calling it a “good representation of how young girls are s*xualized.” Prior to her 18th birthday, explicit Reddit forums had already begun countdown timers anticipating her coming of age. Reflecting on her early experiences, Brown reportedly recalled a disturbing incident at age 13 when a “rogue paparazzo” sneaked onto a closed set to take voyeuristic photos of her while she was not properly clothed for a fashion shoot. She also shared being “crucified” by the press repeatedly for wearing low-cut or sheer dresses at events, with critics focusing on her appearance rather than her talent or the projects she was promoting. In March 2025, Brown hit back at adult writers for “dissecting” her face and body, saying that people “can't seem to grow up with me” and targeting her because she no longer looks like her 11-year-old self from Stranger Things season one. The transition to legal adulthood exposed a darker side of child stardom. On Instagram, Brown marked her 18th birthday with photos of herself posing in a blonde wig, only to see her posts flooded with explicit messages and disturbing emojis. Fans were horrified by the influx of inappropriate comments, highlighting the continued vulnerability of young stars, even as they legally become adults. One netizen wrote at the time, “Poor girl’s been s*xualized ever since Stranger Things took off.” Another added, “I cannot believe I have to say this once again but stop being f*cking creepy and weird about Millie Bobby Brown.” “People who do this kind of thing are nothing short of disgusting.”