Millie Bobby Brown, the acclaimed star of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, has made headlines with her recent statements about her dream role — playing pop icon Britney Spears in the upcoming biopic adaptation of Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me.
During several appearances, Brown expressed her admiration for Spears, stating, “I want to play a real person, and I think for me, [it's] Britney Spears,” adding, “her story ... resonates with me.” Fans have started taking notice as the actress showcased blonde locks and Y2K-inspired fashion reminiscent of Spears during the peak of her career, but so far, there has been no confirmation of her casting.
At the premiere of her latest film, The Electric State, Brown elaborated on her desire to bring Spears’ story to the screen. “I mean, she is an absolute icon, I would love nothing more than to be a part of her story. But that's her story, and I am in full support of her bringing her story to life how she wants to,” Brown stated. This ambition aligns with the broader Hollywood interest, as several other actresses, including Emma Roberts, Sydney Sweeney, Sabrina Carpenter, and Renée Rapp, have shown interest in the role.
The cultural impact of Britney Spears cannot be understated. Rising to fame as the biggest teenage pop star of the late '90s and early 2000s with hits like “...Baby One More Time” and “Toxic,” Spears struggled under the pressures of fame, which culminated in her very public breakdown in 2007. Brown, who has herself faced intense media scrutiny, can relate to the narrative of young women being thrust under the spotlight, which adds depth to her desire to portray Spears.
Fans of both Spears and Brown are eagerly watching to see how Brown’s unique artistic identity will emerge should she be cast. The potential collaboration between Brown and the creative team, including director Jon M. Chu, promises to bring added excitement to the project. Chu confirmed his involvement with the biopic, saying, “I’m a big fan of Britney. I’ve been a fan since I was young... I want to do her justice and tell her story right.”
Meanwhile, Millie Bobby Brown continues to make waves outside the world of Spears. Even though she is the face of Stranger Things, with the show's final season looming, she has shared her experience with the series creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, stating, “We haven’t done [viewing episodes before release] for 10 years. I don’t think they’re going to start on the last season.” Brown expressed, like any other fan, she is eager to see the conclusion of the beloved series.
Speaking at the premiere of The Electric State, where she co-stars alongside Chris Pratt, Brown reflected on her dynamic with the actor, noting, “He’s just very silly, and I am too, so both of our inner child are very much thriving with each other.” Her role as an orphan who journeys across America with a robot searching for her younger brother is set to premiere on March 14, 2024.
Despite her busy professional life, Brown has found herself under scrutiny from fans, particularly concerning her changing appearance. Recently, social media commentators have noted how some of her red carpet looks make her appear significantly older than her 21 years. Comments like, "Literally had to double check [she] turned 21 the other day and not 40" highlight concern over societal pressures and the pathways available to young women celebrities.
Experts have weighed in, speculating on the nature of her transformed look, which some suggest is the result of cosmetic enhancements. Dr. Paul Banwell noted, “If she has had work done, I don't believe she is 'weighed down by fillers.'” He reassured viewers, “Fillers are popular and can rejuvenate the skin, but overdoing them could lead to unnatural looks.”
Brown herself has previously spoken candidly about the pressures she faces, stating to Glamour, “I feel like s**t today... I’m going to go on Instagram, and I’m going to see five different girls who look beautiful...” Her remarks underline the complicated emotional terrain artists navigate, balancing personal insecurities with professional demands.
Within this backdrop of ambition and self-reflection, Brown continues to navigate her burgeoning career, seeking roles and narratives she feels passionately about. Whether or not she will get to play Britney Spears remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Millie Bobby Brown is leaving no question about her commitment to tell the stories of women who inspire her.