Photo: Jem Mitchell / ALLURE
In her cover story forAllure’s September 2022 issue, which was published on Wednesday, theStranger Thingsactress, 18, opened up about dealing with hate while growing up in the spotlight.
“It’s really hard to be hated on when you don’t know who you are yet,” she told the outlet on the microscopic lens she’s under. “Then you just start shutting down because you’re like, ‘Who am I meant to be? Who do they need me to be for them?'”
However, she revealed that she’s been able to face these challenges with the help of friends and family who’ve encouraged her to “develop” within herself.
Brown also revealed that she’s “always struggled with self-identity” while working in Hollywood. “Even as a young person, I always felt like I didn’t quite belong in every room I was in. I also struggle with loneliness a bit,” she said.
Jem Mitchell / ALLURE
TheEnola Holmesstar also opened up about the “unhealthy situation” with TikToker Hunter Ecimovic, now 22, who alleged inappropriate romantic relations with Brown, who was 16 years old at the time.
“When you get publicly humiliated this way, I felt so out of control and powerless. Walking away and knowing that I’m worth everything and this person didn’t take anything from me, it felt very empowering,” she said of the incident, which left her “vulnerable.”
“It felt like my life had finally turned a page and that I actually had ended a chapter that felt so f—-ng long,” she said of leaving the drama behind her.
“Young girls deserve an education. Young people everywhere deserve equal rights. [You] deserve to love the people that you want to love,” she toldAllure. Be the people that you want to be and achieve the dreams that you want to achieve.’ That’s my message."
Monica Schipper/Getty/UNICEF
Brown has been vocal about her relationship with the public eye in the past.
While appearing onThe Guilty Feministpodcast with Deborah Frances-White and Susan Wokoma in April,Brown opened up about being a teen in front of millions.
“I deal with the same things any 18-year-old is dealing with: navigating being an adult and having relationships and friendships, and it’s all of those things,” she shared. “Being liked and trying to fit in, it’s all a lot, and you’re trying to find yourself while doing that. The only difference is that obviously I’m doing that in the public eye.”
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“Ya girls 16 :),” she began the caption. “16 has felt like a long time coming. i feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next. our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grow and succeed.”
She ended with a note of positivity writing, “I’ll continue doing what i love and spreading the message in order to make change. Let’s focus on what needs changing and I hope this video informs you on the things that go on behind the scenes of the headlines and flashing lights.”
Allure’s September 2022 issue is available on newsstands nationwide on August 16th
source: people.com
