Millie Bobby Brown Refuses 'Smile' Demand
Millie Bobby Brown's Bold Stand at Stranger Things London Premiere
Millie Bobby Brown made headlines at the Stranger Things London premiere this week, not for her stunning red carpet look but for her sharp response to a photographer’s demand that she smile. The 21-year-old star, known for her role as Eleven in the hit Netflix series, was seen reacting angrily when someone told her to “smile” on the red carpet.
“Smile? You Smile,” she shouted back at the group of photographers, pointing them in their direction before quickly walking away. Her reaction sparked a wave of support from fans who believed that the photographer had no right to dictate how she should behave.
A Statement Against Unwanted Attention
The incident has been widely discussed online, with many fans expressing their approval of Millie’s response. Social media users praised her for standing up against what they saw as an unreasonable request. One user, @cascories, wrote: “I mean the way they were telling her to smile. Definitely warranted.” Another, @xJacqueline Rose, added: “Wish more of them would do this.”
Some fans also shared their own experiences of being told to smile by photographers or others. @Bain_cristall commented: “So valid. Nothing puts you in a more rotten mood when someone tells you to smile.” Meanwhile, @kenziesmithh1 questioned the obsession with telling female celebrities to smile, saying: “What the hell is this obsession with telling female celebs to smile?”
However, not all opinions aligned with Millie’s stance. An Instagram user, @feridehikmetatak, argued: “Why can’t just smile? They’re only asking Millie to smile so she’ll look good on camera.” Despite this, the majority of the public supported Millie, seeing her reaction as a justified response to inappropriate behavior.
Other Celebrities Who Have Spoken Out
Millie isn’t the only celebrity to have taken a stand against rude photographers. Chappell Roan famously clashed with an unnamed man at the 2024 VMAs after he yelled at her to “Shut the fk up.” The incident went viral when Roan turned on him and said, “No, you shut the fk up!”
Later that year, Roan confronted the same photographer at Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour premiere in LA, demanding an apology for his disrespectful behavior. “You were so disrespectful to me at the VMAs,” she said, pointing at the photographer and adding, “You yelled at me at the VMAs. Yes, you did. I remember. You were so rude to me and I deserve an apology for that.”
Rachel Zegler also stood up to paparazzi earlier in 2024. During a New York Fashion Week event, she responded to a photographer who told her to stop being silly. She retorted, “Sorry? I’m a human. Talk to me as such!”
At the 2024 Olivier Awards, Hannah Waddingham shut down a photographer who asked her to “show leg.” She responded, “Oh my God, you’d never say that to a man, my friend. Don’t be a d**k, otherwise I’ll move off. Don’t say, ‘show me your leg’. No.” Waddingham later confirmed she received a written apology for the incident.
A Strong Bond with Co-Star David Harbour
Millie also recently joined co-stars including David Harbour at Netflix’s Los Angeles launch event for Stranger Things. This came after reports that she had accused Harbour of “bullying and harassment” on set. However, Variety later reported that the complaint had been “resolved.”
Despite the previous rumors, the two co-stars appeared to put the past behind them at the LA premiere. They were seen sharing a hug and some laughs, with the official Stranger Things Instagram account posting a clip of the moment.
When asked about her relationship with David, Millie spoke highly of her co-star. “I’ve obviously had a really special bond with David because we have a father and daughter relationship, and we do every scene together,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “You really get to see that in season 5.”
She also expressed gratitude for the cast and crew, saying: “It’s been amazing. We’re so lucky to have each other. The show means so much to the both of us and to everyone here.”
Final Season of Stranger Things Premieres Soon
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will premiere on Netflix on November 26 in the UK. Fans are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the beloved series, which has captivated audiences since its debut in 2016.
