Millie Bobby Brown is getting candid about the unexpected downside of growing up in Hollywood. The Stranger Things star revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that working with primarily men on crews throughout her childhood left her struggling to connect with people her own age.
“I just don’t know how to react sometimes to people my own age. I have a harder time,” the 22-year-old actress admitted. “Because I grew up with primarily men on crews, let’s change that, men over 40 years old”.
Brown, who rose to fame as Eleven in Stranger Things at just 11 years old, explained that she missed out on traditional childhood experiences like public school and peer socialization. Instead, her formative years were spent surrounded by adult crew members.
“So I heard a lot of adult talk growing up, and I didn’t really talk about the things you’re meant to talk about as a kid,” she said. “You hear, ‘Where’s the grip? Let’s grab a ladder,’ you know? And so that’s your whole conversation”.
The actress noted she can talk “extensively” about camera lenses and shot composition but draws a blank when asked about everyday topics like favorite bars or restaurants.
Brown shared that her husband, Jake Bongiovi, has helped her embrace a more social life. She called him “the most social butterfly” and “the complete opposite” of herself, noting that he attended boarding school and college.
“When I met him, I really tried to lean in more to that. So I’m in my social era,” she said.
The revelation comes as Brown continues to reflect on her unique upbringing in the spotlight. She made her professional acting debut in 2013 and starred in all five seasons of Stranger Things from 2016 to 2025. Now, with the show behind her, Brown appears to be navigating a new chapter, learning to connect with the world beyond the set.
