Millie Bobby Brown dazzled fans and critics alike during her recent promotional press tour for her new film, The Electric State, showcasing bold fashion choices and addressing personal criticisms. The 21-year-old actress rocked various eye-catching outfits, drawing inspiration from '90s nostalgia, but also took a moment to respond to online commentary about her appearance.
At the Madrid photocall on February 27, Brown highlighted her quirky sense of style, appearing confidently in a blue denim co-ord set by Dolce & Gabbana. The outfit, consisting of a mini skirt and matching patchwork jacket, was paired with pointy brown boots featuring fluffy white detailing. This look certainly captured attention, presenting the actress as both fashionable and chic, reminiscing about the iconic styles of teen movies like Clueless.
During the event, she wore her bleached blonde hair styled in playful space buns, with one bun positioned high on her head and another low, completing her look with large gold hoop earrings. Brown's makeup was equally radiant, featuring light blue eyeshadow, perfectly complementing her ensemble.
Joining her at the press event were co-star Chris Pratt, and directors Anthony and Joe Russo. The Russo brothers, acclaimed for their work on blockbuster titles like Avengers: Endgame, directed The Electric State, which will be streaming on Netflix starting March 2025.
The film centers around Brown's character Michelle, who is depicted as orphaned and ventures across the American West with a mysterious robot and eccentric drifter, searching for her younger brother. The star-studded cast also includes notable names like Ke Huy Quan, Giancarlo Esposito, and Stanley Tucci, promising to deliver an engaging sci-fi adventure.
While the promotional events were all about celebrating her upcoming film, Brown also faced scrutiny from social media critics commenting on her looks. Responses intensified after her recent change to blonde hair, leading to criticisms deeming her appearance as far more mature than her age. British Vogue's beauty editor Morgan Fargo called out the negativity in her opinion piece, stating, "This obsession with women and their age is a form of misogyny. Millie Bobby Brown is an award-winning actor with several blockbuster roles. We should be applauding the achievements and precocious talent of this still extremely young star!" The statement reflects the broader controversy surrounding ageism and appearance-related criticisms facing young women in the entertainment industry.
Shortly after the piece was published, Brown expressed her gratitude by reposting it on her Instagram story with the simple caption, "thank you." Her social media engagement also featured stickers demanding, "Please stop talking," highlighting her desire to deter unnecessary chatter surrounding her appearance.
This is not the first time Brown has faced public scrutiny over her looks. Comedian Matt Lucas has recently mocked her for her fashion choices, comparing her to his character Vicky Pollard, known for her distinctly flamboyant style. Lucas shared photos of Brown dressed casually and humorously captioned it with Pollard's catchphrase. The backlash was swift, with fans making memes and jokingly implying Lucas had found someone to cast as Pollard's daughter.
Despite the whirlwind of social media comments, Brown maintained her spirited demeanor during press events. Her stylish choices, particularly at the photocall, are reminiscent of past fashion moments, with some critics noting the nostalgic return of '90s trends, like patchwork denim and accents from popular films of the era. Such throwback styles bring warmth to memories of teen cinema, showcasing Brown as both fashionable and relatable.
Beyond her unique fashion, Brown's artistic pursuits extend to her aspirations of playing pop icon Britney Spears. Recently, she openly expressed her desire to portray Spears in a biopic based on the singer's memoir, The Woman in Me. Brown stated, "Nothing would make me happier than being able to play such an iconic, beautiful person. I leave it to the Gods." With universal interest building around Spears' life story amid various controversies, such casting hopes from Brown mark another potential milestone for her career.
For now, Brown is focused on promoting The Electric State, embodying both the energy of her character and the nostalgia of fashion trends. Her duality as both a young actress finding her footing and someone exploring personal identity through style reflects the complex narratives often cherished by audiences.
Overall, the press events for The Electric State reveal not just Millie Bobby Brown's seamless ability to blend modesty with glamour, but also her responses to criticism as she navigates her role as not only a celebrated young star but also as someone under the public eye. Whether embracing or deflecting criticism, she appears to embody both poise and authenticity.