This post contains discussion of mental health issues.
You might remember earlier this year when there was a lot of strange and cruel discourse around Millie’s looks amidst a press blitz for The Electric State. The conversation was just about as dismal as, well, The Electric State.
Obviously, being in the public eye has its drawbacks alongside its advantages, and one must assume that all the scrutiny around your physical appearance would take its toll — and in a new interview with British Vogue, the Stranger Things star confirmed that it was a struggle to deal with all the unnecessary chatter.
“I was depressed for three, four days. I was crying every day,” she said, before recalling some of the things people were saying about her online and in the media. “‘Oh my God, what has she done with her face? Why has she gone blonde? She looks 60 years old!’”
“I respect journalism,” she continued. “I love reading articles on my favorite people and hearing what they’re up to. I understand that there’s paparazzi, even though it’s invasive, even though it feels like shit to me – I know that’s your job… But don’t, in your headline, slam me at the get-go.”
“It is so wrong and it is bullying, especially to young girls who are new to this industry and are already questioning everything about it. For some reason people can’t seem to grow up with me. Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time…And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”
Just another timely reminder to be more normal about people online…you can read the entire interview with Millie here.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-800-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.
