Millie Bobby Brown is an advocate for the movement to stop bullying because she knows all too well what it’s like.
In a new interview the Stranger Things star is revealing just how bad it was — and the effect it continues to have on her and her work.
Related: Stranger Things Lawsuit Dropped DAYS Before Spoiling Season 3
In November last year, Millie became the youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF, a prestigious position also held by a select group of celebs including Katy Perry, Mia Farrow, Whoopi Goldberg, David Beckham — and Orlando Bloom who interviewed her for the latest issue of Glamour UK.
As Millie told the Pirates of the Caribbean star, she loves what UNICEF does — making sure young women get an education, providing kids with vaccines, protecting them from violence. But she never thought she’d be part of it:
“Being named an ambassador — honestly it was one of the craziest situations. I can’t even put into words how I felt, but it was just so exciting…
Being a young child, especially in this industry, it’s an award I never expected to be given in my whole entire life. So, when I heard the news, I was first of all shocked and second of all overwhelmed. We were in New York at the UN and I had to speak in front of press. I was so nervous as I wanted to say everything right. I was 14 and it was a nerve-racking situation. As soon as I saw other kids in the audience I felt so much more at ease and so much more like, ‘OK, I can do this!'”
When asked what she specifically wants to accomplish in her role as ambassador, she talks about the new kinds of dangers children are facing.
“Young people’s lives are increasingly under pressure. I want to make sure that children are protected from violence and exploitation. I also want to combat the negativity on social media. I have experienced it — it’s like a disease. It’s negative hate that is genuinely so horrifying to me.”
The advent of social media has created a new challenge for UNICEF — so it makes sense they got an actual young person to help them figure out ways to fight it.
Moreover, someone who has experienced the kind of bullying she wants to combat. She explains:
“Social media is one of the best places in the world and one of the worst — it counteracts itself. It sends such amazing messages; it raises awareness of situations that need to be heard. Nobody should say it isn’t a platform for positivity and change. But then there are some really heartbreaking things to happen on social media and I have dealt with a lot of bullying online. I want to make it a happy place.”
So like “Be Best” only actually doing some good.
Probably because unlike Melania Trump, who thinks being criticized for her words or actions is persecution, Millie was actually a victim of bullying.
She recalls:
“I was bullied at school back in England. So it’s extremely important for me to speak out against bullying. I actually switched schools because of it. It created a lot of anxiety and issues that I still deal with today. I have dealt with situations both in real life and online that are soul-breaking and it genuinely hurts reading some of the things people have said.”
Man, it’s hard to imagine people trying to bully Eleven!
Since becoming an international star as the super-powered tween on Stranger Things, Millie has seen both sides of social media — and chosen to accentuate the positive:
“Being in this industry we have become so aware of negativity and it’s made me appreciate the love so much more. People receive so much love on social media and then only focus on the hate.”
Speaking of the industry, Orlando tries to pry info from Millie about the upcoming third season of Stranger Things.
But she obviously is too powerful for any of that nonsense. She says:
“There’s not much I can say. But I can say it’s one of the most important things in my life. I am so excited about it because I worked really hard on it. It’s like my baby. I shaved my hair off for it, so ever since then it’s become one of my favourite projects I have ever done.”
Awww!
About her beloved character she gushes:
“I have learned a lot from Eleven. Yes, she’s powerful, but she is also a loyal friend and protector. Even though she’s still learning how to use her voice, her resilience, loyalty and strength inspires me.”
Finally, if she can use her own powers to make a change in the world, it’s to spread positivity.
She declares:
“My message is always to spread love, light and positivity. The world can be a scary place sometimes, but it’s important to remain hopeful and to be kind to others.”
Seems like UNICEF made a good choice!
[Image via Sheri Determan/WENN.]
Related Posts
