The Unfiltered Truth: Did Drake Groom Millie Bobby Brown? Unpacking The Six-Year Controversy

The relationship between global rap superstar Drake and *Stranger Things* actress Millie Bobby Brown has been a magnet for intense public scrutiny and controversy for over six years. Since their initial meeting and the revelation of their private text messages in 2018, the significant age gap between the two—Drake was in his early 30s while Brown was 14—immediately sparked accusations of "grooming" across social media and various media outlets. As of late 2025, the core question remains: what was the true nature of their friendship, and how have both stars addressed the persistent, serious allegations?

The controversy first erupted after Brown, then a rising star, publicly mentioned that Drake was a "great friend" who offered her advice, including tips on dating, which many critics immediately flagged as inappropriate given the power imbalance and their respective ages. This article will provide a detailed, up-to-date timeline of the events, the specific accusations, and the latest statements from both parties, including Drake’s subtle but clear defense in his 2023 music.

Millie Bobby Brown: A Quick Biography and Career Profile

Millie Bobby Brown is a powerhouse British actress and producer whose career exploded onto the global stage at a remarkably young age. Her biography provides crucial context for the scrutiny she faced as a young star navigating the industry.

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• Full Name: Millie Bonnie Brown Bongiovi (née Brown)
• Date of Birth: February 19, 2004
• Place of Birth: Marbella, Spain
• Nationality: British (Born to British parents)
• Breakout Role: Eleven in the Netflix series *Stranger Things* (2016-Present), which she began filming at age 12.
• Key Film Roles: Enola Holmes in *Enola Holmes* (2020) and *Enola Holmes 2* (2022), and Madison Russell in *Godzilla: King of the Monsters* (2019).
• Personal Life Update: Brown became engaged to Jake Bongiovi, son of musician Jon Bon Jovi, in 2023, and the couple recently married in a private ceremony.

The 2018 Revelation: The Spark That Ignited the Grooming Accusations

The controversy has its roots in a seemingly innocent interview Brown gave at the 2018 Emmy Awards, where she was asked about her friendship with the rapper.

The 'Boy Advice' Texts

During the interview, Millie Bobby Brown, then 14 years old, spoke enthusiastically about her friendship with Drake, who was around 31 at the time. She described him as a "great friend" and a "great role model."

The specific detail that fueled the fire was her admission that they frequently texted and that he offered her advice, including on "boys."

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She stated: "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."

The Public Reaction and Definition of 'Grooming'

The revelation immediately triggered a massive debate on social media. Critics argued that a man in his 30s texting a 14-year-old girl about dating was inherently inappropriate, regardless of intent, due to the power dynamics at play.

• Age Gap: The 17-year age difference was the primary concern.
• Power Imbalance: Drake is an established, globally famous adult musician, while Brown was a minor and a rising star, creating a significant imbalance in status and influence.
• The Term 'Grooming': The term became widely used, referring to the predatory behavior of building a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a child to prepare them for sexual abuse. Critics felt the private, advice-giving nature of the texts fit the early stages of this pattern.

Millie Bobby Brown quickly responded to the backlash on her Instagram Story, defending the platonic nature of the relationship and hitting back at the critics.

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"I'm lucky to have people in the industry that care about me and want to guide me through it," she wrote. "U guys need to stop being weird, just because he's a celebrity, doesn't mean he can't be a great friend."

Drake’s Latest Response and The Ongoing Scrutiny (2023-2025)

While the initial firestorm occurred in 2018, the topic resurfaced periodically, especially as Brown reached adulthood. Drake has largely remained silent on the topic, but he offered a clear, if subtle, defense in his 2023 album, *For All The Dogs*.

The 'Another Late Night' Lyric

In his song "Another Late Night," featuring Bad Bunny, Drake included a lyric that was widely interpreted as a direct response to the persistent accusations about his friendship with Millie Bobby Brown.

The lyric is: "I'm very blessed to have amazing people in my life. U don't get to choose that for me. It's nice to have people understand what I do. Now get back to talking about my album."

This statement, coming five years after the initial controversy, suggests that Drake views the relationship as a private, supportive bond among peers in the entertainment industry, and he rejects the public's right to define or criticize his friendships.

The Current Status of the Relationship

As of 2025, Millie Bobby Brown is an adult, recently married, and continues to be a successful actress and producer.

• Brown's Stance: She has consistently defended the friendship as platonic, innocent, and focused on mentorship.
• Drake's Stance: His 2023 lyric indicates he views the public's continued focus on the issue as unwarranted interference in his personal life.

The controversy serves as a stark example of the intense scrutiny young female stars face, especially when their relationships with older, more powerful male figures are revealed. While the accusations of "grooming" were serious, both parties have maintained that the relationship was a strictly platonic, mentor-like friendship, a narrative that has persisted against the backdrop of ongoing public skepticism.

Key Entities and Topical Authority Keywords

Drake, Millie Bobby Brown, Grooming, Stranger Things, Eleven, Age Gap, Controversy, Mentorship, Another Late Night, Jake Bongiovi, Social Media Scrutiny, Power Imbalance, Text Messages, Emmy Awards, Aubrey Graham, Netflix, Celebrity Friendships, Public Opinion, 2018, 2023, Defense, Allegations, *For All The Dogs*.