Travel JOURNAL
Here’s an actress who is already well-versed in how Hollywood, Los Angeles and London work… and she’s only 17! Millie Bobby Brown’s star shines brightly even as so many others in the industry are discovering that the shadow is rather more difficult to emerge from.
The star of the Godzilla movies and drama Enola Holmes seems to have a natural draw to big projects and major locations even if her roots are rather more beach-based.
Millie, who stars in the upcoming Netflix project The Girls I’ve Been, was born in Marbella in 2004. But her time in the southern Spanish resort was all too fleeting because her parents relocated to England when she was only four.
Her memories of those early days are scarce and recollections are mainly built on return visits in the years since.
“I don’t remember much; but what I’m glad of is the fact that I have come from a very different place,” she begins, adding: “My early years were like a holiday but they were also a world away from the entertainment industry that I became a part of and I think having that sort of perspective is important.”
Her grandparents still own and run a restaurant in Marbella; and perhaps in future years, the star will bring some of the A-list with her to sample its unique vibe. Her mobile phone is awash with big names these days, thanks in no small part to her landing the role of Eleven in Stranger Things at the age of 16.
“For a long time, it was everything to me as a young actress landing that sort of role,” she admits.
Millie explains: “It was an absolute dream and I’m taking away from it nothing but wholly positive experiences. I think as producers, cast and crew, we all grew at the same time and along the same lines.”
“So you emerge from there feeling as if you’ve really achieved something… not only as a professional or as an actress, or anything else but as a human being,” she adds.
Her progression was down to much more than simply what happened in front of the cameras. She says: “It was never only about me acting in Stranger Things – I learned so many things about directing, and so much about writing on the show and different shots. I like to think I will take that forward with me.”
Major film offers have necessitated a permanent move to the US although she retains British citizenship through her parents.
While it seems most things have fallen perfectly at the teenage actress’ feet, she hasn’t been without her own struggles. She was born with only partial hearing in one ear and has gradually lost it on one side.
“We all have to overcome challenges and I’ve been lucky to have something that I have habituated to over the years,” she says, and adds: “I don’t make excuses for it and I’m certainly not going to let it hold me back.”
Perhaps her physical struggles are an indication as to why despite enjoying the trappings and riches of the entertainment world, Millie has never turned her back on the humanitarian and philanthropic projects that are close to her heart.
In 2018 for instance, she was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador – the youngest person to be selected for such a position. She has always worked for UEFA in togetherness and diversity projects, and has a humility that is totally endearing.
Indeed, she’s not too old or famous to be star-struck by co-stars such as during her filming of Enola Holmes.
We all have to overcome challenges and I’ve been lucky to have something that I have habituated to over the years
“Working with Henry (Cavill) was a big thrill. I will admit to that,” she laughs.
Millie elaborates: “Obviously, he’s an actor I’ve respected for a long time. The fact that he has also been in the superhero genre gave me great inspiration to move into different roles in the same way that he has.”
With a big career laid out in front of her, Millie Bobby Brown is arguably the film industry’s most promising talent – even if progress has been curtailed over the past year or so due to the pandemic.
“It has been a tough time but I would
like to think that we are coming out on the other side of it,” she says.
The actress adds: “There has been plenty of negativity for all of us and my route through that has been to try to find some positive elements. There aren’t many but the lockdown provided me with a way to start reassessing who I was and how my career was progressing.”
“Perhaps the one good thing we can take out of this is that we’re all a bit more aware of ourselves,” Millie muses, in conclusion.
The lockdown provided me with a way to start reassessing who I was and how my career was progressing