Millie Bobby Brown just turned 20 yesterday, and what a journey it’s been! From stealing hearts as Eleven in Stranger Things to building an empire with her own beauty brand, Millie is more than just a Hollywood star—she’s a Gen Z powerhouse. But beyond the supernatural nosebleeds and red carpet glam, there’s a lot more to this birthday girl than meets the eye. To celebrate her big day, here are 10 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Millie Bobby Brown!
1. Almost Quit Acting Before Stranger Things
It’s hard to imagine Stranger Things without Millie as Eleven, but she nearly gave up on acting before landing the role. After facing multiple rejections in Hollywood, she was on the verge of quitting when Stranger Things changed everything. Talk about a last-minute twist of fate!
From child star to business mogul—Millie Bobby Brown’s journey is nothing short of inspiringGetty Images
2. Born with Partial Hearing Loss
Millie was born with partial hearing loss in one ear, which worsened over time. Despite this challenge, she has built a successful career in acting and music, proving that nothing can hold her back.
Millie Bobby Brown, the youngest-ever UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, continues to use her voice for changeGetty Images
3. Engaged at 19, Married at 20
Love came early for Millie! She got engaged to Jake Bongiovi! Yes, the son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi at just 19. The couple tied the knot in 2024 and now enjoy a peaceful life together on their Georgia farm.
Beyond acting, Millie Bobby Brown is an entrepreneur, writer, and passionate animal loverGetty Images
4. Youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
At just 14, Millie made history as the youngest-ever UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She’s since used her platform to champion children's rights, mental health awareness, and anti-bullying initiatives.
Millie Bobby Brown’s engagement to Jake Bongiovi made headlines—now she’s happily marriedGetty Images
5. Passionate Animal Advocate
Millie isn’t just an actress; she’s also an animal rescuer! She runs an initiative called Joey’s Friends from her farm in Georgia, where she fosters and cares for numerous dogs, including her beloved therapy dog, Winnie.
From performing her own stunts to writing a novel, Millie Bobby Brown proves she’s more than just an actressGetty Images
6. Self-Made Business Mogul
At just 15, Millie launched Florence by Mills, a skincare and beauty brand focused on clean, cruelty-free products for Gen Z. The brand quickly became a major success, just proving she’s as savvy in business as she is in acting.
Millie Bobby Brown’s beauty brand, Florence by Mills, is a Gen Z favourite for cruelty-free skincareGetty Images
7. Directed Her Own Commercial
Not content with just starring in ads for Florence by Mills, Millie took things a step further and directed one of the brand’s commercials herself. A future behind the camera, perhaps?
Born in Spain, raised in the UK, and thriving in Hollywood—Millie Bobby Brown’s global journey is fascinatingGetty Images
8. Avid Writer and Storyteller
Millie isn’t just about acting she’s actually a storyteller at heart. She co-wrote Nineteen Steps, a historical novel inspired by her grandmother’s experiences during World War II.
Millie Bobby Brown’s journey from a child star to a powerhouse entrepreneur is nothing short of incredibleGetty Images
9. Multinational Background
Though she’s known for her British roots, Millie was actually born in Marbella, Spain! She moved to England at four before relocating to the U.S. to chase her Hollywood dreams.
Despite being born with partial hearing loss, Millie Bobby Brown has conquered both acting and musicGetty Images
10. Voices Her Own Stunts
Millie loves action-packed roles! For Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2, she performed several of her own stunts, proving repeatedly that she’s just as fearless off-screen as she is on it.
Millie Bobby Brown isn’t just an actress—she’s also a director, writer, and fearless businesswomanGetty Images
Millie Bobby Brown isn’t just riding the wave of fame, she’s making her own. From battling Demogorgons to building a beauty empire, directing commercials, writing books, and even rescuing dogs, she’s proving there’s nothing she can’t do. At just 20, she’s already a powerhouse, balancing Hollywood, business, and activism with effortless charm. Whether she’s breaking records, breaking barriers, or breaking into new ventures, one thing’s clear: Millie Bobby Brown is just getting started. And if the past 20 years were this impressive, we can’t wait to see what she does next!
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.