5 Shocking Revelations About The Millie Bobby Brown And Drake Friendship Controversy That Still Haunts Them In 2025

The friendship between actress Millie Bobby Brown and rapper Drake remains one of the most scrutinized and misunderstood celebrity connections of the last decade. What began as an innocent mentorship between a rising star and a music mogul quickly spiraled into a global media firestorm fueled by a significant age gap and intense public speculation.

As of late 2025, with Millie Bobby Brown now a married adult and Drake continuing his reign in hip-hop, the discussion surrounding their bond has resurfaced, particularly after the rapper addressed the critics in his recent music. This deep dive uncovers the full timeline, the controversial "boy advice" texts, and why this relationship continues to be a hot-button topic years later.

Full Biography Profile: Millie Bobby Brown & Drake

To fully understand the context of the friendship and the ensuing controversy, it is essential to review the profiles of the two high-profile individuals involved.

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Millie Bobby Brown: The Global Phenomenon

• Full Name: Millie Bonnie Bongiovi (née Brown)
• Born: February 19, 2004, in Marbella, Spain
• Nationality: British
• Known For: Portraying Eleven (El) in the Netflix series Stranger Things, which made her a global star and one of the youngest Emmy nominees in history.
• Current Life Update: Brown is now an adult and is married to Jake Bongiovi, the son of musician Jon Bon Jovi.
• Other Notable Works: Enola Holmes film series, Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Aubrey "Drake" Graham: The Hip-Hop Mogul

• Full Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
• Born: October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Known For: Rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. Credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop.
• Early Career: Gained initial fame as an actor playing Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation.
• Record Label: Co-founder of the OVO Sound record label.

The Initial Meeting and The 'Boy Advice' Revelation (2018)

The friendship between the actress and the rapper first came to light in 2018, sparking immediate and intense public debate. The controversy centered on the significant age difference and the nature of their communication.

How Did Millie Bobby Brown and Drake Meet?

The two celebrities first crossed paths in 2017 during a trip to Australia. Drake, a massive star and Grammy Award-winner, invited the then-13-year-old Stranger Things star to one of his concerts in Brisbane. [cite: 12 from step 1]

Their initial interaction was reportedly friendly and professional. Brown later mentioned that they had formed a bond and began to communicate regularly. This seemingly innocuous celebrity connection became fodder for controversy a year later.

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The Emmys Red Carpet Confession

The firestorm officially began at the 2018 Emmy Awards. Millie Bobby Brown, then 14 years old, was asked about her friendship with Drake, who was 31 at the time—an 18-year age gap. [cite: 8 from step 1]

Brown openly revealed the nature of their relationship, stating, "We just texted each other the other day and he was like, 'I miss you so much,' and I was like, 'I miss you too.' He gives me advice about boys." [cite: 1, 4 from step 1]

This revelation—that a 31-year-old man was texting a 14-year-old girl and giving her "boy advice"—immediately drew criticism from the public, with many online comments and articles raising concerns about the appropriateness of the relationship and leveling "grooming claims" against the rapper. [cite: 13, 14 from step 2]

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The Defense: An Innocent Friendship Amid Scrutiny

In the wake of the massive public backlash, both Millie Bobby Brown and Drake took steps to defend their friendship, insisting that the bond was purely platonic and supportive.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Frustration

The young actress quickly took to social media to address the intense scrutiny. She expressed her frustration that a "lovely friendship" was being twisted into something sinister. [cite: 11 from step 1, 12 from step 2]

• She emphasized the innocence of the relationship, stating that it was a supportive connection in the challenging world of Hollywood. [cite: 12 from step 1]
• Brown urged critics to focus on "real problems" in the world rather than judging an innocent bond. [cite: 12 from step 2]
• She maintained that having older, successful mentors in the industry was crucial for young stars navigating fame.

Drake’s Musical Response: Firing Back at 'Weirdos'

While Millie Bobby Brown defended the friendship verbally, Drake chose to respond to the controversy through his music, years after the initial incident. His subtle yet clear defense served to reignite the conversation in the 2020s.

In his 2023 song "Another Late Night" with Lil Yachty, Drake included a lyric that many interpreted as a direct shot at the critics of his friendship with Brown and other young female artists like Billie Eilish. [cite: 11, 15 from step 2]

The line references the controversy, with Drake essentially dismissing the public's concern as unwarranted. He called out the "weirdos" who questioned his relationship with the actress, who was 19 at the time of the song's release. [cite: 10, 15 from step 1]

Why The Controversy Remains Relevant in 2025

Years after the initial "boy advice" headlines, the Millie Bobby Brown and Drake friendship continues to be a point of discussion for several key reasons, demonstrating its lasting impact on pop culture and the conversation around celebrity mentorship.

1. The Lingering Age Gap Debate

The core issue—the 18-year age gap between a star in her early teens and a man in his early thirties—sparked a vital conversation about the dynamics of power and mentorship in the entertainment industry. Even as Millie Bobby Brown has grown into an adult, the initial revelation is often cited in discussions about celebrity culture and the protection of young stars. [cite: 8 from step 1]

2. Association with Broader Rap Drama

The topic gained renewed traction in 2024 when Drake was involved in a highly publicized rap feud, with some lyrics and online speculation attempting to pull the historic controversy back into the narrative. This demonstrates how past public controversies can be weaponized or resurface in new contexts years later. [cite: 13 from step 1]

3. Millie Bobby Brown’s Adult Life and Marriage

As of 2025, Millie Bobby Brown has entered a new phase of her life, focusing on her marriage to Jake Bongiovi and her adult acting career. The contrast between her current status as a young married woman and the 2018 image of her as a 14-year-old seeking "boy advice" from a superstar highlights the rapid and intense transition she experienced in the public eye. [cite: 2 from step 2]

4. The Legal Context

The high-profile nature of the controversy even reached a quasi-official status, with one court document from 2025 taking "judicial notice" of the fact that Millie Bobby Brown is a well-known actress and that she had given interviews stating that she and Drake formed a friendship. This shows the extent to which the relationship entered the public record. [cite: 17 from step 1]

Ultimately, while both Millie Bobby Brown and Drake have moved on and maintained their defense of an innocent, supportive bond, the saga serves as a permanent record of the intense scrutiny and judgment faced by young celebrities in the digital age.