Millie Bobby Brown Is Ready For Life After Eleven

Summary

The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: Millie Bobby Brown Is Ready For Life After Eleven
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Chioma Nnadi (Vogue)
Guest: Millie Bobby Brown

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Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and intimate conversation between Chioma Nnadi of Vogue and Millie Bobby Brown, British Vogue’s December cover star and the breakout star of "Stranger Things." As Millie enters a new phase of her life—embracing motherhood, marriage, and her final goodbye to the character of Eleven—the discussion delves into her experience as a young star, life on a farm, building a grounded family, enduring fame, and her ambitions beyond the iconic Netflix series.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Life on the Farm: Millie's Sanctuary

• Farm Life & Animals [(04:31-08:38)]
  Millie shares her deep affection for her life on a farm in Georgia, describing it as her “safe place” away from the pressures of the industry.
  • "I always knew I was gonna live a life with lots of animals, but I guess it really takes a role of its own...it's just my safe place. Anytime I hurt myself or need a break from the world, this is just my peace and tranquility." (Millie, 04:45)
  • Her daily routine revolves around family and tending to 25 animals, including ponies, horses, goats (with names like Cardi B, Eminem, and Slick Rick!), donkeys, cows, sheep, chickens, and rescues.
  • Animals have themed names: greatest of all time for goats ("Cardi B," "Slick Ricky"), "B" names for cows and donkeys, and Spice Girls names for chickens.
  • The farm even inspired aspects of her life choices, such as acquiring donkeys to deter local coyotes instead of opting for invasive methods.

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Motherhood and Family

• Routine as a New Mother [(09:10-10:49)]

  • Millie describes her daughter as an “angel” for sleeping 12 hours through the night and shares how her mornings now start at 7:30 am.
  • Time management: juggles childcare and farm duties, using nap times for animal care.
  • “I was very refreshed for a new mum.” (Chioma, 09:31)

• Parenting Style & Household [(46:55-48:13)]

  • Both she and her husband Jake were clear about their parenting roles and have naturally fallen into them—she's the “chaos and love,” he is the “anchor."
  • Millie finds joy in singing to her daughter and appreciates the strong partnership with Jake, who comes from a musical family.
  • “I sing a lot. And she loves it. She really loves it. And Jake's just like... the cuddler...the anchor. It's pretty amazing to see him step into that with such grace.” (Millie, 47:16)

• Godparents [(47:39-48:37)]

  • Noah Schnapp, her "Stranger Things" co-star, is one of her daughter's godparents.
  • Millie got emotional recalling when Noah met her daughter: "It was just a very emotional experience. I met my best friend meet my other best friend..." (Millie, 48:30)

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Friendship, Music, and Community

• Close Friendship with Raye [(12:45-14:09)]

  • Millie describes meeting singer Raye for the first time and the blossoming of their friendship, culminating in Raye performing at Millie’s wedding in Italy.
  • "She was like, absolutely. And she performed, and it was the most amazing experience ever." (Millie, 13:58)
  • Their bond is described as more familial than friendly, and Raye is praised for her groundedness and supportive nature.

• Music Tastes and Influences [(16:50-20:03)]

  • Millie is a self-described "pop girly" who loves Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lorde, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Beyonce, and also 60s/70s artists like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead.
  • Fun moment: Both Millie and Jake’s Spotify Wrapped stats suggest they have the musical tastes of people decades older ("His was like 75 year old…mine, a 65 year old…") (Millie, 19:15)

• Private, Grounded Life [(34:48-38:05)]

  • Despite her fame, Millie strongly values normalcy and home life in Georgia, living close to her parents and siblings, rejecting any interest in moving to L.A.
  • “I will never live in LA. It just isn’t for me.” (Millie, 35:40)
  • Millie’s decision to prioritize stability for her daughter stems from her own itinerant childhood and the desire to ground family in a home.

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Comedy, Improv and Acting Beyond Eleven

• Improvisation and New Creative Muscles [(20:03-23:34)]
  • Improv wasn't a natural part of her craft but something she learned over time, getting to practice with Chris Pratt on "Electric State" and in "Enola Holmes 3."
  • "You really have to leave your humility at the door because there are things that don't land..." (Millie, 21:56)
  • Her comedic side was recognized during a British Vogue intern video shoot, with much of her performance improvised and enjoyed by all.

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Reflecting on Stranger Things and Saying Goodbye

• Relationship with the Duffer Brothers [(24:43-27:32)]

  • Millie sees the directors as older brothers, sharing a loving, teasing relationship—complete with jokes about blackmailing them with embarrassing photos to be told the "Stranger Things" ending early.
  • "Matt and Ross are like my older brothers...I remember just being like, I'm gonna have to blackmail them because they need to tell me how this ends..." (Millie, 24:43)

• Fan Theories & Ending the Show [(27:32-28:42)]

  • Millie is rarely online and is mostly unspoiled by fan theories, but finds them interesting when she hears of them.

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Beauty, Hair, and Self-Image

• Attitude Toward Hair and Style Evolution [(28:42-32:15)]
  • Millie takes a no-fuss approach to beauty, seeing her hair as an “accessory” or “prop” and not integral to her identity.
  • "I've never been a huge...Like, I don't care. Like, I've never cared. ...If the blonde ruins my hair, I'll just shave my head." (Millie, 29:09)
  • For her wedding hair, she went back to her childhood look to honor her roots and personal history.

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Dealing with Criticism and Staying Grounded

• Navigating Fame & Criticism [(38:05-42:35)]
  • Millie opens up about the “minefield” of criticism, particularly for young women in acting.
  • "You can't tell me something that you don't know the full story of or my life or the why I did something. So I've learned to shut it out..." (Millie, 40:35)
  • She emphasizes the importance of filtering criticism: accepting input from trusted collaborators, ignoring outsiders and social media trolls, and protecting her mental health, aided by therapy.

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Looking Forward: New Projects & Passions

• Ambitions Beyond Stranger Things [(32:53-34:48)]
  • Millie’s future includes more character and story-driven roles—both in projects she’s developed and new opportunities.
  • She’s adapting her book "19" into a film, seeking to tell stories authentic to her passions and generation.
  • "Doing things that feel like passion projects, things that feel authentic to me and what I believe in..." (Millie, 34:18)

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Holiday Traditions & Motherhood Reflections

• First Christmas as a Mom [(43:36-48:13)]
  • Millie embraces the role of holiday hostess, decorates extravagantly (four trees: pink, personal, red, and farm-themed), and gifts presents to her animals.
  • She revels in family sleepovers and cherishes her new role, reflecting: "I love motherhood. I think I knew I would, but I didn't know this much. Nothing prepares you…" (Millie, 45:36)
  • Motherhood has given her broader perspective, softening conflicts and encouraging her to maintain positive relationships.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“This is just my peace and tranquility. Anytime I hurt myself or need a break from the world, this is just my place.”
— Millie Bobby Brown, on her farm sanctuary (05:18)

“She performed, and it was the most amazing experience ever...I actually got up with her and we sung ‘Valerie’ together.”
— Millie Bobby Brown, about Raye at her wedding (14:10)

"I will never live in LA. It just isn’t for me."
— Millie Bobby Brown, on staying grounded and close to family (35:40)

“If the blonde ruins my hair, I’ll just shave my head. … My hair just feels like a part of my job.”
— Millie Bobby Brown on her hair philosophy (29:41, 31:52)

“Criticism comes into my life a lot...My job is about opinion. … I value it in my work, ...to the people I trust most. I don’t value it when it comes to the outside noise.”
— Millie Bobby Brown, on handling criticism (39:10, 40:35)

“I love motherhood. I think I knew I would, but I didn’t know this much. Nothing prepares you.”
— Millie Bobby Brown, on new motherhood (45:36)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:31] — Millie on why the farm is her sanctuary
• [05:42] — The creativity behind naming her animals
• [09:10] — Balancing motherhood and farm life
• [12:45] — Her friendship with Raye and the story of her wedding performance
• [16:50] — Musical obsessions and taste
• [20:03] — Acting, comedy, and improvisation breakthrough
• [24:43] — Relationship with “Stranger Things” creators and blackmail jokes
• [28:42] — Evolving relationship with her hair and appearance
• [32:53] — Projects after Stranger Things, adapting her own book
• [35:40] — Commitment to home, family, and not living in LA
• [39:10] — Handling criticism and online opinions
• [43:36] — Christmas traditions and first holiday season as a mom
• [45:36] — What motherhood has taught her

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Takeaway

This heartfelt episode offers a snapshot of Millie Bobby Brown not just as a cultural icon, but as a young woman intent on living authentically, staying grounded, and embracing the next phase of life with joy, humor, ambition, and an unshakable sense of self.

Transcript

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[Cho Minardi]

This is the run through. I'm Cho Minardi and we're back from our holiday break with a very special episode with Millie Bobby Brown. Millie is in a moment of transition after playing 11 in the Netflix hit show Stranger Things for a decade of her life. That chapter is closing and she's finding herself in a new era. Millie was our December cover star for British Vogue and we took pictures of her on a farm outside London with tons of animals and we talked to her about exactly that parallel life that she lives in Georgia with an amazing farm and about becoming a new mom and her gorgeous little girl. The run through will be back in a moment.

[Rebecca Ford]

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[Cho Minardi]

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[Rebecca Ford]

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[Cho Minardi]

Millie, it is so lovely to have you on the pod. Last time I saw you, we were on a farm outside London.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I know, and I'm on my farm now, so.

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Oh, are you?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Very fitting.

[Cho Minardi]

It looks like it's a really beautiful day because the sun is streaming through your windows. Do you love being on the farm? Is it like your favorite place?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

It actually is, yeah. I mean, I always knew I was gonna live a life with lots of animals, but I guess it really takes a role of its own. I've just been, yeah, very, very, very lucky. Actually. Yesterday I was out on the farm for a few hours and mucking out the stables and cleaning the hooves and braiding all the hair. I have three ponies and a horse. All have very, very fun hairstyles. But yeah, it's just like it's my safe place. Actually. It's funny, my husband came out and saw me out there and he's like, you actually look like a boy. Like, I literally, like, I put my hair up, I put a hat over myself. I just like five layers of coke. I'm just like gloves on and in it and I'm just, it's just my safe place. And anytime I hurt myself or need a break from the world, this is just my Peace and tranquility.

[Cho Minardi]

So I heard that you have 25 farm animals and that they have very coordinated names and some have celebrity names. Is that true? I love that. There's one called Cardi B.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yes. So the. I wanted to do like the greatest of all time. So, like, that was kind of my. I guess my theme for the goats were Cardi B. Slick Ricky. Slick.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, my God. Good choice. Slick Rick is a British. British rapper, guys.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

You know, he's originally from the UK and then. And then Eminem. So those are like the four kind of main. I have boy goats most of the time, but. So those are. Those are them. But Cardi B is like the most. The friendliest goat you'll ever meet. I think she's a dog. And then with the donkeys, I did donkeys and cows. I did be names, so it would be Bernard, Bessie, Barbie and Betty. And then the two donkeys had a baby and I named her Florence because a fan I spoke to on the phone on actually a radio show, a little girl asked me to name my next animal after her name. So I said of course it was by them. And then I have the Spice Girls, which I named off my chickens that I named after the Spice Girls. And then my sheep. My sheep are just random name names. I mean, I met. I had. I basically raised all my sheep in my bed. So I have Norman and then Lammy, which. Her name is Nancy, but Jake and I like. You know when just a nickname takes over on it and it's just her name is Lammy now. And then we have Jesus, which. Which my Norman needed to go and have surgery. And in the. So he made friends with another sheep called Jesus, and they fell in love. And so then they were like, basically, you have to either take Jesus or Jesus's owners has to take Norman. So I took Jesus. So now Jesus is best friends with Norman. And then my ponies are all rescues. They were left on the side of the street. I have two goats called Thelma and Louise, but they were the street. And so I called them Thelma and Louise because they basically ran away together and they're besties. And then my horses named Frank. So it's a real array of. Of names there. But I'm so close with all of them.

[Cho Minardi]

I mean, on the shoot, we had. We had quite a few farm animals who you didn't know and you. And I was really impressed how quickly you got to know them and how easy you were with the animals. But I just can't imagine that it can be that Easy to look after so many animals and it sounds like you do really enjoy it. So when you do have a day to devote to being on your farm, what does a typical day, being on the farm look like?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

It used to be like a pretty, like, like a later start. Like I would usually go on the farm around noon because the animals tend to themselves. They have everything they need. They have endless amounts of hay. They have fresh water supply constantly running. They have sheds with heaters if they were to get cold. So they really do take care of themselves. But I usually go out now, having a daughter who wakes up at 7:30 in the morning, that's not too bad.

[Cho Minardi]

She's a good sleeper.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

No, no, it's. And by the way, I'm waking her up at 7:30 in the morning. She's an angel. I know, I'm very lucky.

[Cho Minardi]

Does she sleep through the night now?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Sleeping through the night, 12 hours.

[Cho Minardi]

Stop it.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I know. I can't believe it.

[Cho Minardi]

Angel.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I know she is. She values her sleep just like I do. So I was very, I was gonna.

[Cho Minardi]

Say you look very refreshed for a new mum.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I know I wasn't the first month, I definitely wasn't. But slowly but surely, you just listen to your baby and you listen to what. And she needs sleep, so I respect that. So I wake up at 7:30, tend to her usually, you know, give her food, get her dressed and ready. And then once I put her down for her first nap, around 9:30, she goes to bed for about two hours. So Jake's in the house and I go out on the farm. I have basically like four different pastures. So I start off with the ponies, horses, and really tend to more of like their maintenance, which is cleaning their hooves, brushing them out. And then I go onto the farm, to the left side of the farm, which is where the chickens and sheep and goats are. And I usually just check they're okay. Like, you know, you always want to notice if they're limping or if they're acting weird or if they're losing weight or gaining weight. You know, I, I see them all the time. So for me, like it didn't take me long to realize my donkey was pregnant. Like I immediately went and got the ultrasound machine and check her and I saw, I saw ribs and I said, jake, those are not her ribs. Those are, those are her baby's ribs. So I do, you know, I'm suspecting my cow's pregnant right now, actually gaining a lot of weight.

[Cho Minardi]

I mean, did acquiring these animals, 25 animals, was this a planned or something that just happened gradually or something you've always wanted to do to have.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Definitely moving into my house. I was like, this has got the potential of being a farm. But I originally started because we had a really bad coyote problem, and I have a lot of dogs. So I googled online and it's like, well, natural deterrence is donkeys. And I'm like, I'm not going to kill these coyotes. I know what they're doing. You know, I mean, I know what they need from me, but I can't give them my dog. So. And I was. So I. Naturally, I was like, I'm not going to do like an electric fence or anything like that. So I just. I got this donkey in hopes that they would go away, and they did, and I've never seen them since. So after you get a donkey, they go, you can't have a donkey, one donkey without really getting another one because they get depressed. I'm like, okay, I'll get another donkey. So I got another donkey. And then I was like, you know what? Jake got me three goats for my birthday. And then I. After the goats, I fell in love with them. And I was. I really want Scottish Highlands. So I got Scottish Highlands, then I got the sheep, and I was like, wait, Scottish Highlands?

[Cho Minardi]

Are they a. A breed?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah, they're fluffy cows. I've never. Okay, I don't even see, like a really fluffy.

[Cho Minardi]

Please hold. Googling. Googling.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah, I know. I'm like, if you haven't seen them.

[Cho Minardi]

Fluffy cows.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah.

[Cho Minardi]

Okay. Wow.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

You see them?

[Cho Minardi]

Yes, I see them now.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Oh, my God.

[Cho Minardi]

They're so cute.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

They are really cute. Here, let me show you my baby. Beautiful picture. I don't know if you can see that.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, my goodness, guys, this. This is the most beautiful, fluffy cow that you've ever seen.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

So. Yeah. And I think once you really just start to slowly get started, you're like, okay, I love this.

[Cho Minardi]

I wanted to ask you because on set you were texting with Ray and I was. It was really sweet because you were both. You both had Vogue covers within a really short time. And I didn't know that you were friends. How did you two meet? How did you get close?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I met Rhe at the Jonathan Ross show for the first time. I was a huge fan of her music, but obviously we'd never connected before then, so we met. I just loved her energy. I really liked how sweet she was, how funny, how real she was. And I was like, I really think I would get along with her. So we did we exchanged numbers then? We might have exchanged numbers then. And then we always stayed in touch since then. And then I was getting married and I reached out to her and said, okay, listen, I know this is crazy, and you can absolutely say no. Would you ever consider performing at my wedding?

[Cho Minardi]

Wow.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Because your voice is beautiful. Our wedding is in Italy. We are playing a lot of Frank Sinatra, and it's just going to be kind of that old Italian wedding soundtrack. I mean, that's kind of like what we wanted. So she was like, absolutely. And she performed, and it was the most amazing experience ever.

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She.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

She performed and the way you look tonight with my dad for our dance. And then she performed some stunning songs. And then it was probably a set of. Gosh, I don't even know how many. I was honestly just so in awe. I was just stood there watching. Everybody was dancing. I just couldn't take my eyes off of her. I was feeling so grateful. And then I actually got up with her and we sun Valerie together.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, my God.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. And then. And then she just got to enjoy the wedding. And we were really just so grateful that she was able to be there and do it. And ever since, we have stayed in touch and, you know, she comes to dinner and she's just. She's just a real one. Like, I just can't. Everything that she is receiving is so deserving because she's a good person. She takes care of the people around her, and people like that just deserve the utmost love and praise and success. So I'm very lucky to be her friend. Yeah.

[Cho Minardi]

She seems like she's. She's an amazing person to have as a friend. What. What would you say she's like, as a friend?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

She is. Oh, gosh. She's a. She's a listening ear. Like, she will just sit there and listen, and she doesn't really let anything affect her. So, like, you're telling her something and she's just like, oh, well, that's on them. Like, she's just always kind of like that. She's just like, you can't control what other people do or think or say, and da, da. And she's just very. She kind of helps ground me, I think, like, it's very inspiring to see someone like that just not be affected. And that's not to say that she might. She doesn't get affected because I'm sure she. She does it sometimes, but. But, boy, does she try to keep all of that away from her. And I think that's why she's so successful, because she just surrounds herself with the people that she loves and her family and. Yeah, she's a big family girl. And I think it's just. It does feel that the friendship is more familial.

[Cho Minardi]

Having heard her perform a couple of times, I can't imagine what it must have like to have her perform at your wedding, because her voice literally makes me cry.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah, I know.

[Cho Minardi]

I think I would have been sobbing. Like, she's so. She's. She's. You have amazing taste in music.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

She's in control. I've never seen anyone know their voice more. She's just. She just sounds like she's in control at all times. And I just. I think that's such a. Such a technique to master.

[Cho Minardi]

I mean, it sounds like you. You enjoy going to concerts. Cause I heard that you also went to the Sabrina Carpenter concert and was arrested by her on stage. I love that she does that. Are there any musicians you'd love to see on stage? And what have you been listening to lately that you've enjoyed? What's on your playlist right now?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I mean, Taylor, Sabrina. I'm just a huge pop girly. I love Lorde. I've actually never seen Lorde in concert, and I really want to go. So probably her. And I've also never seen Adele. Yeah. But I love seeing, like, I've seen Ed Sheeran a bunch and, like, I'm a huge fan of his. So for me, like, that was really cool. I've seen Beyonce a lot. I love Beyonce. Like, it's not even a concert. It's. It's a. It's an experience.

[Cho Minardi]

It's a communion, isn't it? It's like.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

It is just like, take me to church. But, yeah, I mean, I. I do like going to concerts, but I'm never like, it really. Like, I really have to love the person to go because for me, it's just a commitment. You know, it's a lot. It's a lot of people in one place for me. And that sometimes it's a bit like.

[Cho Minardi]

It's very different from being on the farm with the animals.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I've gotten a lot better. I was a lot worse when I was younger. I would just simply just not go to things. But I think since meeting Jake, really, I mean, I've just kind of made more of an effort because he is.

[Cho Minardi]

He more social person.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

And I'm somebody who's very pleased with just being at home and cooking and hanging out. So I. Yeah, I definitely think cooking and knitting and like, you Know, just hang. Yeah, literally. And I'm like. To my friends, I'm always like, just come to me. Like, come to me and we'll hang. But I can't leave. So it's very funny. But now I do a lot more to try to maintain that as much as possible.

[Cho Minardi]

Does he introduce you to music? Is he into music? I mean, I guess comes from a music family.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

He. The Spotify thing that came back of like.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, yeah, the rapped.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. His was like 75 year old his age and I was like, what do you mean? I mean, mine was actually quite old too, but I'm not old. But mine, I mean, a 65 year old. I clearly listened to a lot of the 60s, a lot of 60s music.

[Cho Minardi]

I love that. What was in your act?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Well, here's the thing. My albums were pop music, but I listened to the Rolling Stones, the Beatles.

[Cho Minardi]

I love that.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead. Like, this is a lot of what Jake and I listened to together. So I think that's probably why it came back. Oh, I also listen to a lot of ABBA. I listen to a lot of 80s music a lot. But primarily 60s and 70s is more. Jake and I like, we love to listen to that together.

[Cho Minardi]

I love that. Good taste. Good, good, good taste. I mean, I. One of my highlights of the year was definitely filming the British Vogue intern video with you because you. Oh my God, smashed it. You were hilarious. I just, I mean, I really think that you should consider comedy because you are. Because honestly, the improvisation. I don't know. I don't know if the audience really knows this, but guys, Millie basically improvised a lot of that script and we were just kind of like along for the ride. And it was so much fun. And I think it was like the most fun that we've had in the office in a long time. Would you ever consider, like, comedy? Is. Is this something, like, I don't tell us a bit about? Because I. I didn't, you know, I'm not an actor. I have no, no acting skills whatsoever. I just about managed to play myself in that piece. But I'm sort of curious to like, is it something that you thought about? Is. Is improv something that you do? Like, I don't know. I really, I'm very curious.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah, I think. Well, thank you for your kind words. I had the best time doing it. Improv is a skill that either comes naturally or you slowly learn it. And to learn it, it requires a lot of confidence. Like, if it's innate in you, then it's just like Sometimes I just see people and it's just innate and they just have a quick, funny punchline and you're just like, oh, my God. How did you come up with that? For me, I learned it. Like, I think I went into my craft at a young age and I went into a genre that was drama focused and horror and sci fi focused. So it didn't allow me maybe the space as much to improvise because there's a story that you really have to follow and there's a lot of plots that you have to get to the point on. However, I slowly started to bridge out of those genres and go into others, and I was testing out some, improving in each of those, which slowly started to give me the confidence to do it. You really have to leave your humility at the door because there are things that don't land that you're like, that didn't make any sense. But it's fine because you. If you work with collaborators and people that love you and support you and want the best for you, then you're just playing in a space of fun and creativity. So one of those people that really helped me learn that skill was Chris Pratt on our film Electric State. That's where I was really able to kind of practice and harness some things. And then a lot of Enola, Enola Holmes 3, I really exercise the improv. And then I just did a movie called Just Picture it, where a lot of it is improvised. So that's been a really exciting few years of me learning a new skill. And I think when you guys reached out about that, I was like, that's gonna be really fun. And I didn't really. I was planning on just sticking to the script, but in the moment, I was just honestly having a great time and laughing my head off. So I thought, why not just put these in? And when I saw it, I thought, oh, my God, you've kept in a lot of my improv. And I thought you were gonna cut it all out. Cause I didn't know what.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, my God. All obsessed. It was like. It was so magical.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. Well, thank you. I appreciate that.

[Cho Minardi]

The run through will be back in a moment.

[New Yorker Radio Hour Narrator]

You come to the New Yorker Radio Hour for conversations that go deeper with people you really want to hear from, whether it's Bruce Springsteen or Questlove or Olivia Rodrigo, Liz Cheney or the godfather of Artificial intelligence, Geoffrey Hinton, or some of my extraordinarily well informed colleagues at the New Yorker. So join us every week on the New Yorker Radio Hour, wherever you listen to Podcasts.

[Cho Minardi]

I can't believe we're nearing the end of Stranger Things. I mean, this era of your life, it must feel like such a huge. A huge change. And I read that you blackmailed the directors of Stranger Things to find out what's happening in the finale before everyone else.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Matt and Ross are like my older brothers. Like, I already have an older brother, and the relationship with them and the relationship with my actual biological brother is almost paralleled. Like, we are brutally honest with each other. At any moment, we can make fun of each other. We will. It's just that fun kind of relationship where I just feel so loved and supported by them and I trust them with everything, you know, which is hard to find with people. I just feel like I could tell them anything. They've always been there for me and always loved me, and I just think those kinds of people are rare in this industry. So I've been very lucky to have that and nurture that friendship and relationship. However, you tend to have your funny moments within that friendship and with them. We both, let's just say, will bring things up like, oh, you want me. You want people to tell me about. You want me to tell people about this story? You know, one time I actually printed off all that, like, film school pictures. Like, they have film school pictures. And I was like, I'm going to. So I printed them and put them around set. So I'm an insane person. And again, just their annoying little sister. Yeah, I remember just being like, I'm gonna have to blackmail them because they need to tell me how this ends. I have a strategy. I have a plan, you know, I mean, I'm like, okay, if I go over to the writer's room to pretend I want to have lunch with them, then I'll be able to see what happens. Which I know sounds crazy, okay, Because I do love having lunch with them, but I also want to know what happens. So it's just a strategic way of trying to get what I want.

[Cho Minardi]

What did you blackmail them with? With brownies or what?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

What do they like? I know, it's thing. No, it's blackmailing them with things that they don't want out on the Internet. So, like, if I really got it picture of them, I'll just use that against them and be like, really? Because I'll just show everyone this weird picture of you, you know, eating a muffin. Actually, I do have a really funny picture of them eating a muffin. And it's like, the muffin is, like, literally, like, weirdest. They picked around It. And there's just this core of this muffin. And I'm like, why didn't you. Why didn't you just eat them up? They're like, so weird. And I'm like, why are you eating it like that? And I'm like, do you want the world to know that that's the way you eat a muffin? Because you tell me. What. So date.

[Cho Minardi]

How long did it take to get them to break down?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Oh, it doesn't take them long. It doesn't take too long at all. With me. It takes. Sometimes I get tricked and duped by them. They're like, well, we did this. And I'm like, oh, God, I'm gonna find that out.

[Cho Minardi]

So this episode will be released after the finale airs, but we haven't seen it yet. But I am curious to know if any of the fan theories that you found that are out there that you found intriguing and wish that you could see, like, an alternative ending of. I mean, I think there are quite a few fan theories out there. Are there any that have piqued your. That you've come across? You're like, oh, that would be interesting.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

To be honest, I haven't seen a lot because I'm not really online in that way. But this. The few that I have heard are very interesting. Like, I. They all could be plausible. And to be honest with you, I don't actually sometimes know if they are real or not.

[Cho Minardi]

Huh.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

If that makes any sense. I'm like, oh, that could have been that. And then I call the directors and they're like, no. I'm like, oh, okay. So don't even. Like, when people are like, let me test these fan theories out. I'm like, you're gonna get a real authentic answer for me. Because I don't know if that's true or not. I mean, it sounds good. Like, do you know what I mean? It really sounds real. It could be. And then I check it, and they're like, no, that's not why we did that. Millie.

[Cho Minardi]

I want to talk a little bit about your hair because you had to shave your head for the character. For the character of eleven. And I think at that age it must have been quite. I think it's a really. You know, it's. I remember when I was younger, it was as a kid, it's very. You know, your hair is such a big. A big deal. How has your relationship to your hair changed? Like, tell me a bit about that, because I think you're experimenting and you've gone blonde. You've done different things with your hair. Like, how's your relationship to your hair evolved?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I've never been a huge. Like, I don't care. Like, I've never cared. Almost every childhood picture is of my hair looking actually insane because I didn't even really see it as a part of me. It's so funny. I think some people care and some people don't, and there's no right or wrong. It's just, like, I didn't even acknowledge it as, like, a part of me, and I actually still don't, which is kind of funny. Is this gonna sound so funny? I don't care. Like, if the blonde ruins my hair. Like, I'll just shave in my head.

[Cho Minardi]

You're not precious about it.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I'll just cut it off. Like, it doesn't matter to me. And so when they said that shaved my hair off, I was like, that's fine. I don't care about that. And then I grew up. And obviously, you start dating, and it makes you go, oh, wait, hold on a second. A boy's gonna think I'm cute. Like, is that okay? And. And then, sure enough, it' people like you for you. And at least those are the people that you want to be around. And I was always in relationships where people really just didn't care, you know, they were just like, you know, I was enough, hopefully. And so that was kind of a confidence builder too. It wasn't like anyone was reigniting that you're not pretty. And also, it doesn't matter if you are or you're not perfect doesn't really exist in that way.

[Cho Minardi]

So.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

And I have. But I have great family values as well, so that was always kind of just always reinstated. And then, yeah, growing up, I'm just like, okay, I'll dye my hair blonde, or I'll go red, or I'll cut it all off and do a really short bob. And I'll do. I'll go. I have some. At one point, I had black hair, so I'm relatively not. I feel very nonchalant about my hair right now. I have, like, no nothing in. So this is just my real. My real hair. I had extensions in for a movie for four months, and my hair just is very strong and tolerable. Thank goodness, the extensions. I'm very lucky. And this is no haircut or anything. I've just completely let it grow.

[Cho Minardi]

I'm so. I'm so the opposite of that. I've never done anything to my hair. I feel, like, so boring with my hair. But I really admire people who can experiment with it.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. But you know what? Like, I just think everybody's experience is different. Like, for me, it's like my hair is like a prop, you know, or like, my costume is a prop. It's a part of. It's an accessory of a character. So what's mine is like, my heart, my personality, who I am. So I don't know if that makes any sense and if that's like, a totally, like, insane thing or way to think.

[Cho Minardi]

But, like, no, I don't think so at all.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

My hair just. Yeah, I don't know. My hair just feels like a part of my job.

[Cho Minardi]

Yeah, it makes sense for when you did get married, because I guess people look at those photos and think, oh, you know, that's. They try and think about how timeless that image will be. What did you go? How did you do your hair? Or how did you think about it when you had to be like, oh, now. Now my hair is like, I'm showing up as me. Like, what do I want that to be?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Do you know what? I kind of just thought, what did I. What was my hair like as a kid? So as a kid, my hair was long brown with, like, blonde pieces in the front because I was born in Spain and the sun would always lighten up the front of my hair. So I thought, that's just what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna go back to, like, the core of who I am as a child. So that's what I did for that. And I. And. And I. And I love those pictures. I wouldn't want my hair to look any other way. So, yeah, that's kind of what I did for that is I tried to go back to what I. What my original hair and format kind of is.

[Cho Minardi]

I'm so curious now this era is wrapping up for you. What roles are you interested in pursuing now? I mean, it's so. I can't believe you've lived such a life and you're only. You're still so young. I mean, the world is out there that the world is your oyster. What's exciting you right now? What are you thinking about as this chapter closes and you've kind of got this, like, road stretched ahead of you?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I think. You know, my next two years are packed, and I'm doing projects that I'm really, really excited about, and I've been working on for a long time. One of them just came out of the blue, and it was just kind of like the most perfect union of what I was looking to do and what the project needed. Um, did you hear that? It's my little baby. She's telling me she's awake. Oh, she's telling me she's awake. So. So, yeah. So I think what is in the pipeline are definitely things that I'm really excited about, things that I've developed or things that have landed on my lap. And then there are things that we're developing now that I'm like, wow, this feels very exciting. Like, very exciting. More story driven and character driven roles. Things that I'm either going to have to morph into or the environment is going to kind of build the character. I'm developing my book that I released called 19 into a film. So that's really exciting. So, yes, just doing things that feel like passion projects, things that feel authentic to me and what I believe in and the kinds of characters I want to bring to screen, how they all inspire my generation.

[Cho Minardi]

That's so cool. I mean, one of the things I loved about reading the COVID story and the COVID story that we did with you that was that you were so committed to having kind of like a sense of normalcy in your life and to having. And you weren't concerned with kind of like the glitz and gloss of fame and that you have a very normal group of friends in Atlanta and you live a simple life and you're very. You know, I think obviously that the farm grounds you in a really, in a really concrete way, in a really lovely way. This was a choice that was obviously informed and shaped by your parents when you were, when you were filming the show, that you, you lived in Atlanta. But I'm, I'm wondering now that, that obviously Atlanta is going to. Has a different place in your life and that you might be gravitating more to la. Would you ever consider that or.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah, I will never live in la. I just, I just, it just isn't for me. You know, I, I grew up on the road a lot before even acting. I was born in Spain, I moved to London and then I moved to Orlando, Florida. So I don't have a child at home. A lot of things got lost, like baby pictures or old toys. And a lot of my childhood was not grounded in a home. And that's, It's. I learned that my family at my home, that wherever we went was home with them and it was a beautiful way of living. I loved it. But there's of course a fraction of you that goes, oh, but you didn't, you don't have a family home like My husband has a family home where all of his belongings are. I mean, his mom even has the crib that he wowed in. And my daughter is able to sleep in the crib that her dad.

[Cho Minardi]

I love that.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

And it's so, you know, and so that is beautiful. I had a different upbringing. It doesn't mean I wasn't absolutely obsessed with my upbringing because I learned also a lot about culture. I learned a lot about different places, different lifestyles, and that I wouldn't take for granted at all because that taught me a lot about how to be a human being. And I think it also gave me skills and tools to navigate this industry. However, if I can do anything for my daughter, it will be to learn about different cultures, to travel a lot, to learn about different people and lives and, and develop a sense of love and understanding for the world. But to have a home base that grounds you and that keeps you feeling like there's home to always resort to. And all of her things are here. And I'm a bit of a hoarder and keep everything in every aspect of her life so far. And so that's this for her and that's this for me. And my parents live next door to me and we moved in to that house when I was 14. So technically that could be my childhood home. So I, I don't see us ever moving.

[Cho Minardi]

No, I love that. I think it's, I imagine that being, you know, you guys being first time parents, you're thinking it has you reflecting on your, on your own childhood and the things that you want to take from that and give to, to your daughter and the things that you want to do differently for your daughter. And I think it's so lovely. And you do come across as someone who's very grounded and also clear about how you want to walk through the world and how you want, you know, you want to move forward in the world. I was really struck by the stories of your early acting career. And you mentioned getting a lot of rejections and that a casting director once told you you won't make it, that you're too mature for the screen. And that was before you landed the role of Stranger Things. And this has popped up in headlines over the years. And how have you navigated that kind of criticism? Is it something that you've leaned into or almost embraced in a way? I think it's like such a minefield for, especially for young women in this industry. And I'm sort of like curious to know how you've navigated these kind of Questions over the years.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I have a very strange relationship with criticism. Criticism comes into my life a lot. It's funny when you're acting, when you're directing, when you are getting directed, you are naturally being positively and negatively criticized. Just like. Just period. Like, you will try something in a scene and somebody will criticize it. It's not to say that they didn't like it, but they're tweaking it, they're curating it so that everything, you know, so the world. It's funny. My job is about opinion. It's always about. That's the whole point of collaboration. So I love and nurture it in that world and then in the outside world and the bigger picture. Is that important? Like, where do I value and not value criticism? So I value it in my work, in my personal life, to the people that I trust most. And then I don't value it when it comes to the outside noise, because they don't know me. They don't know my life, they don't know my story, they don't know the choices I make or why I made them. And so everyone can offer their opinion. Absolutely. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion. But you can't tell me something that you don't know the full story of or my life or the why I did something. So I've learned to shut it out. And then sometimes because I'm 21, when you're on your period or when you're feeling a bit sad, you hear that and it hurts because you're like, I'm 21. I don't need to hear that. Today I already feel like shit. And that's going to make me feel even worse. And so when I'm feeling. Feeling confident, which is most days, I learned, and it's a lot of therapy, but just to shut it out, I do that. And then sometimes I'm like, when I'm trying to be vulnerable and when I'm trying to give someone something, like dye my hair blonde and wear crazy outfits and go on a press tour, and people are just like, so loud with their opinions. You're like, hold on. Like, hold on. Like, this is bullying. This isn't fair to let me live and breathe and whatever. So. And then I'll just. I'll call to action. I'll be like, hey, hey, you. Joe, what do you do in your life exactly? Like, what are you doing? Like, do you think you would talk to your daughter like that or your wife like that? And, hey, if you saw your daughter have a really bad day from school, and all these people were being mean to her and sharing their opinion or saying that she looked terrible. Are you going to come for your daughter when you come home, or are you going to berate her as well? And you have to just look at them and go, what are you doing within your life? And to tear someone else down, especially a young person who is already trying to navigate and figure themselves out. And when you put it into that perspective, it really makes sense. But sometimes it's hard to do that when you're feeling sad, and that's only happened once this year. So I'm really happy about that. Other than that, I have not felt that way, and I felt entirely in control of being able to shut that out.

[Cho Minardi]

I'm so glad that you spoke up, because I do think that there's so many people who hide behind a handle on social media and they have no understanding of the hurt that they're inflicting. And I think it was very. I think it was exactly the right thing to do, that sometimes people need to be held to account. So I was very happy to see you do that. I think it was very brave and.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Really, really appreciate that.

[Cho Minardi]

Graciously done. Really, really graciously and amazingly done. I am. I'm excited for you because this is going to be your first Christmas as a mother or this will be your first holiday season as a mom. And. And it sounds like she's. She's being very. She's giving you lots of sleep. Giving you lots of sleep and being very adorable. Adorable and sounds adorable. What are you most excited about? Is this a moment that you get really into? Do you like decorating the farm? Do you do. I heard you like to cook. What's on the menu? Tell me everything.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

So Christmas, for me, it's my. My favorite time of year. Obviously, we have all the animals. We went shopping, Christmas shopping for all of the animals yesterday. All of. What do they do?

[Cho Minardi]

Secret Santa. How does this work? What does it.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

No, I. I usually, I just go through all of the animals. Some of them like food, some of them like treats, some of them like balls. Like, you know, daycare. And so I basically gift them with all of those things, which. I know it's funny, but they like to unwrap everything. I put them in boxes, and then I let them all. And then in terms of the house, we have four trees.

[Cho Minardi]

Okay.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Four trees up. So we have the pink one, which is for my girl and I, which is like a whole pink room. And then we have, like, our main tree which has all of our personal ornaments on them. Then we have just like a red tree and then upstairs we have like a farm tree which has all farm animals on it. So yes, I love Christmas. I'm actually hosting this year my house. So I cook a big roast dinner and then my sister's hosting the night before Christmas Eve. And then I will all stay at my parents house, all of my siblings and all the babies will stay at my parents house that night. We'll do a sleepover and then we'll wake up with my parents.

[Cho Minardi]

Oh, that's so fun.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Even though they live next to my house, like I could literally just drive home and sleep at home. You know, family important and yeah, it's nice to have everyone back in the same house.

[Cho Minardi]

I bet. I bet. I mean, it's been about six months into parenthood. I kind of want to know. I feel like during this interview, I have felt like you've shared a bit about what you've learned about yourself. And I'd love to know what surprised you about motherhood and yeah, like, how you're enjoying it.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

I love motherhood. I think I knew I would, but I didn't know this much. I. Nothing prepares you. I. I'm shocked by how much perspective it gives you. People said that and I was like, okay. And now I just want to mend bridges with people. Like, I'm just like, you know, like, you know, I mean, I'm just like, like, let's just all be friends. Like, let's not. You know, it's just so funny. Like, things aren't as big of a deal. I have such a wonderful husband who supports and loves me. Like, even doing this now, I'm just like, okay, like, you got the baby. I'm gonna go do this. And he's like, yep, absolutely. And yeah, I just go down there and they're playing instruments together and it's just like, it takes you out of it for a moment because I just feel very blessed and honored to have these two people in my life that I can now call my family.

[Cho Minardi]

It sounds like you and Jake are very much on the same page about parenting. I know your daughter's very young, but I'm curious to know if there were things that you agreed upon or things that you thought about as you were going into it as far as parenting styles or is it something that you're sort of learning as you go.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

We knew what we were going to be like, and then we've completely stepped into that. Like, there's been no, like, oh, My God, I can't believe you're the bad cop. And I'm like, there's none of that know. She's not like that. I knew I was gonna sing a lot. I do, I sing a lot. And she loves it. She really loves it. And Jake's just like the, the quiet, the peace, the. The cuddler. Like I even cuddle when they're cuddling. I'm cuddling too. Like, we're the, I'm the chaos of the. The love and the creativity of it all. And Jake is the, the anchor. Yeah. It's pretty amazing to see him step into that role which he does so gracefully.

[Cho Minardi]

And I love that. Your co star and friend Noah Schnapp is the baby's godfather. Right. Is he fulfilling his godfather duties? Has he been a good godfather so far?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Yeah. So we actually, we have four godparents. And when Jake and I decided that that that's what we wanted to do, it was like, it was a no brainer that it was obviously going to be Noah, three of our other really close friends. But Noah, absolutely, like, I, we were just in London and he's like, okay, we're going out, we're taking the baby. Okay.

[Advertisement Narrator 1]

Like, what do we need?

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Like, you know, it's just so fun. She's hungry, she's this, she's that. He loves her. I actually will never forget the moment he met her. And it, it was just a very emotional experience. I just, I met my best friend, meet my other best friend and it was like two people that I love so much. It was just, it was a very surreal experience.

[Cho Minardi]

Well, I am so excited for you and I'm so, so thankful and happy to have you on the podcast and I can't wait to hear all about your Christmas. So thank you so much for coming on and have a wonderful Christmas.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Thank you so much, Shioma. I really appreciate it and I'll see you. Have a great Christmas. Have a happy holiday season and we'll speak soon.

[Cho Minardi]

Speak soon.

[Millie Bobby Brown]

Bye. Bye. Bye.

[Cho Minardi]

That's it for the show. See you later.

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The Run through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma and Stephanie Carrie Yuki. It's engineered by Pran Bandy and James Yost. It is mixed by Mike Kutchman.

[Cho Minardi]

From prx.