Watch: Millie Bobby Brown Claps Back at Criticism Saying She Looks Older Than She Is

Matt Lucas is setting the record straight. 

After Millie Bobby Brown called him out for commenting that she had a “mommy makeover,” the comedian apologized for causing any hurt and clarified his intention behind the remark. 

“Dear Millie,” Matt wrote in a statement shared to his Instagram March 4, “I just saw your post and wanted to respond and provide some context.”

The 50-year-old went on to say that his “mommy makeover” comment was a reference to a moody teenage girl character he often played in skits while starring on the sketch comedy show Little Britain, which ran from 2003 to 2006. 

“Nearly 25 years ago, I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain,” Matt continued. “There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and were wearing a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.”

Noting that he thought Millie “looked terrific” in the paparazzi snap that he shared, Matt recalled being “mortified” when he discovered the press had written that he “slammed” her with the post, explaining, “Firstly, because that’s not my style, and secondly because I think you’re brilliant.”

“I would not have posted it if I thought it would have upset you,” the Bridesmaids actor added, “but I realise it has and for that I apologise.”

Matt was one of several writers that Millie singled out in a message condemning the media and general public for “bullying” her over claims she’s “aging so badly.”  

Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images / Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

“This isn’t journalism. This is bullying,” she said in a video shared to her Instagram March 3. “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, it’s disturbing.”

The 21-year-old also called out critics for tearing women down just to drum up attention, saying, “We always talk about supporting and uplifting young women, but when the time comes, it seems easier to tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs.”

And Millie—who was 11 years old when she made her breakthrough as Eleven on season one of Netflix’s Stranger Things—cited her early rise to stardom as the reason for her unfair treatment in the public eye.

“I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me,” she continued. “Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season one. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”

But while the Enola Holmes star called attention to the inappropriate criticism of her looks, she also insisted she wouldn’t let it affect how she lived her life. 

“I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman,” Millie said. “I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”

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