BREAKING: Matt Lucas Pens Heartfelt Apology to Millie Bobby Brown After Facing Backlash for Criticizing Her Appearance on Social Media: ‘I Would Not Have Posted It if I Had Thought It Would Upset You’

Matt Lucas Apologizes to Millie Bobby Brown After Social Media Backlash Over Appearance Comments

In a recent turn of events, British comedian and actor Matt Lucas has issued a public apology to Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown following a social media controversy that sparked widespread attention. The incident began when Lucas posted a comment about Brown’s appearance, which the 21-year-old actress later called out as part of a broader pattern of unfair scrutiny she has faced in the public eye. Lucas, known for his work on the sketch comedy series Little Britain, expressed regret, stating, “I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you.”

The controversy originated last week when Lucas shared a photo of Brown on X, taken during a casual outing in Los Angeles. In the image, Brown was seen wearing a pink top and sporting blonde hair styled in an updo. Alongside the photo, Lucas wrote “no but yeah but,” a well-known catchphrase from his Little Britain character Vicky Pollard—a fictional delinquent teenager often depicted in a similar pink tracksuit. While Lucas intended the post as a lighthearted nod to the resemblance, it was quickly picked up by media outlets, with some framing it as a “savage swipe” at Brown’s appearance.

On March 3, 2025, Brown took to Instagram to address the incident as part of a larger statement about the criticism she has endured over her evolving looks. In a candid, makeup-free video shared with her 63 million followers, the actress spoke passionately about the toll of growing up under public scrutiny. “I started in this industry when I was 10 years old,” Brown said. “I grew up in front of the world, and for some reason, people can’t seem to grow with me. 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 1. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.”

Brown specifically referenced a Daily Mail article that amplified Lucas’s comment, accusing it of “amplifying an insult rather than questioning why a grown man is mocking a young woman’s appearance.” She labeled the coverage “bullying” rather than journalism, adding, “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices—it’s disturbing. And the fact that some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse.” The actress concluded her message with a powerful call to action: “Let’s do better. Not just for me, but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without fear of being torn apart for simply existing.”

Hours later, Lucas responded with an apology on Instagram, seeking to clarify his intentions and express remorse. “Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context,” he wrote. “Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. 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 wore a pink top, so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases.” 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 realize it has and for that I apologise. Matt x.”

The exchange has ignited conversations online about the pressures faced by young women in the entertainment industry, particularly those like Brown, who rose to fame as a child star. Since her breakout role as Eleven in Stranger Things at age 10, Brown has been a constant subject of public fascination—and criticism. Her recent transformation, including a new blonde hairstyle debuted ahead of her press tour for the upcoming film The Electric State, has only intensified the commentary. Yet, Brown has consistently pushed back against the narrative, refusing to apologize for growing up. “Disillusioned people can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not theirs,” she said in her video. “I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle that.”

Lucas’s apology has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans praised his accountability, noting that he took swift action to address Brown’s concerns. Others, however, questioned whether the original post warranted such an uproar, with one X user commenting, “For goodness sake! Why is everyone so precious nowadays!” Meanwhile, Brown’s stance has garnered significant support from peers and fans alike. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Stacey Solomon commended her for speaking out, with Solomon writing, “You’re incredible, Millie. And so grounded & intelligent. I love this & everything you’re standing for.”

As of now, Brown has not publicly responded to Lucas’s apology. The incident, however, underscores a broader cultural debate about how society engages with celebrities—particularly young women—as they navigate adulthood in the spotlight. With The Electric State set to premiere later this year and the fifth and final season of Stranger Things slated for 2025, Brown remains a prominent figure in Hollywood, determined to define her narrative on her own terms.