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During a Tuesday, March 11,Todayshow appearance to promote her new movieThe Electric State, the actress, 21, opened up about her decision to call out recent media stories that criticized her appearance.
“I’m happy that people were able to resonate with the video,” Brown toldTodayhost Savannah Guthrie. “It’s not just for people in the industry, it’s for young girls all over the world who feel like they are targeted or harassed at times for the way they look or the way they present themselves.”
She continued, “I realized that if I’m not going to say it … and I’m never going to find a good time to say it, then why wait and just do it now?”
When Guthrie asked about the aftermath of the clip, Brown shared, “I kind of shut my phone off after because I was a little overwhelmed. But again, I’m so happy people were able to feel like they connected with the video.”
TheStranger Thingsactress added, “Yeah, it was a scary thing to do. I didn’t know how people were going to react so it’s nice to see that reaction.”
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“I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” she said. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow up with me.”
“Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did onStranger Thingsseason 1, and because I don’t, I’m now a target,” she continued.

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Brown also called out specific headlines and journalists, including a Daily Mail article that claimed comedian and actor Matt Lucas “took a savage swipe” at the actress. The article included anXpost from Feb. 26 in which Lucas shared a photo of Brown after theElectric Statepremiere and wrote, “no but yeah but,” which is the catchphrase of theLittle Britaincharacter Vicky Pollard. The actor later added, “I love her, btw.”
He continued, “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. Matt x”
source: people.com