British actor Matt Lucas has apologized to Millie Bobby Brown after she called out public scrutiny over her appearance, describing it as “disturbing” and “bullying.”
Lucas addressed the situation on Instagram, explaining his initial comment and expressing regret. “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context,” he wrote. “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.”
He denied any intent to insult Brown. “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,” he added.
His response followed Brown’s earlier Instagram post, where she addressed commentary about her appearance. She spoke about the scrutiny she has faced since entering the industry as a child.
“I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” she said. “Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things Season One. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
Brown criticized media coverage of her red carpet appearance for The Electric State, pointing to headlines focused on her looks. “This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” she said. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing. The fact that some of these articles are written by women? Even worse.”
She called out the way young women in the industry are treated. “We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks,” she said. “Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs.”
Brown made it clear she would not change to meet outside expectations. “I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman,” she said. “I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”
She ended her statement by urging a change in how young women are treated. “We need to do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”
