The Empowering Secret: 5 Surprising Things Millie Bobby Brown Said About Shaving Her Head For Stranger Things

The image of a young Millie Bobby Brown with a shaved head is one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable looks in modern television history, a visual signature for her breakout role as Eleven in the Netflix phenomenon, Stranger Things. While the buzzcut was a non-negotiable requirement for the character, the actress has spent years reflecting on the experience, describing it not as a sacrifice, but as a profoundly "empowering" and transformative moment in her life and career. As of late 2025, Brown continues to discuss the decision, revealing new and surprising details about the immediate aftermath, the reaction of her family, and her future plans to embrace the bald look again.

The choice to completely shear her long brown hair at just 12 years old set the stage for her character's vulnerable yet powerful introduction, but the personal impact on the British star was far greater than just a costume change. It became a powerful symbol of self-acceptance and a defining moment that she has revisited in numerous high-profile interviews, including a recent candid discussion on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, proving that the story of the shaved head is still fresh and evolving.

Millie Bobby Brown: The Young Icon's Complete Biography & Career Profile

Millie Bobby Brown is a Spanish-born British actress and film producer who rose to global fame for her portrayal of the telekinetic character Eleven (El) in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things. Her dedication to the role, starting with the dramatic buzzcut, cemented her status as a generational talent.

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• Full Name: Millie Bonnie Brown Bongiovi (née Brown)
• Date of Birth: February 19, 2004
• Place of Birth: Marbella, Andalusia, Spain
• Nationality: British
• Spouse: Jake Bongiovi (married 2024)
• Acting Debut: Young Alice in the ABC fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013)
• Breakthrough Role: Eleven in Stranger Things (2016–present)
• Key Nominations: Two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (for Stranger Things)
• Other Notable Roles: Enola Holmes in the Enola Holmes film series (also a producer), Madison Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, and Elodie in Damsel.
• Other Ventures: Founder of the clean beauty brand Florence by Mills.

The Shocking Truth: What It Was Really Like to Shave Her Head for Eleven

The decision to shave her head for the role of Eleven in Stranger Things was, understandably, a point of contention for many, particularly her family. However, for Millie Bobby Brown herself, the experience was a profound personal breakthrough. She has consistently referred to the moment with positive, powerful language, contrasting sharply with the initial apprehension felt by those around her.

1. The "Most Empowering Moment" of Her Young Life

Brown has repeatedly stated that shaving her head was "the most empowering moment of my whole life." This sentiment goes beyond simple professional dedication; it speaks to a deeper sense of liberation and self-discovery at a young age. The dramatic physical transformation was a catalyst for feeling strong and confident, a feeling she attributes directly to embracing the radical change required for the character of Eleven. It was a conscious choice that helped her shed any preconceived notions of what a young actress should look like.

2. The Unexpected Sensory Experience of Rain

One of the most unique and often-cited details Brown has shared about the buzzcut is the sensory experience. She described the feeling of rain on her scalp as "a head massage." This small, intimate detail provides a glimpse into the unexpected joys and unique sensations that came with the dramatic haircut, turning an otherwise mundane weather event into a novel and enjoyable experience. It highlights how the shaved head opened her up to new ways of experiencing the world.

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3. The Family's Initial Objections and The Charlize Theron Parallel

While Brown was ready to commit, her family, particularly her mother, was initially against the idea of her shaving her head. To convince them, the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, showed her parents a picture of Charlize Theron with a shaved head for her role as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. This comparison was the key to easing their fears, demonstrating that a shaved head could be a symbol of strength and cinematic power, not just a drastic change for a young girl.

4. The Unrelenting Maintenance of the Buzzcut

Maintaining the iconic Eleven buzzcut was not a one-time event. As Brown continued to film the first season of Stranger Things, her hair naturally began to grow back. To maintain the consistent look of a fresh buzzcut, she revealed that she had to shave her head "consecutively every three days" because it "cannot grow past a certain length" for the character. This constant, almost daily maintenance underscores the level of commitment required to embody the role and the practical challenges of sustaining the look throughout the production schedule.

From Buzzcut to Blonde: The Hair Growth Timeline and Future Plans

Since the initial buzzcut, Millie Bobby Brown's hair journey has been a public spectacle, with every new style—from a short pixie cut to long extensions and even a platinum blonde look debuted at the SAG Awards—making headlines. The growth timeline from a shaved head to flowing locks is a testament to the passage of time and her evolving career, but the buzzcut remains her most discussed hairstyle.

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5. Her Surprising Plan to Shave Her Head Again

In a recent and widely discussed interview, Brown revealed a surprising plan to return to the buzzcut. She told her husband, Jake Bongiovi, that she intends to shave her head again just before she becomes a mother. She explained that she views the act as a "liberating" way to mark a new, significant chapter in her life, symbolizing a fresh start and a return to the powerful, stripped-down simplicity she felt as Eleven. This future plan, unrelated to a specific acting role, transforms the buzzcut from a professional necessity into a profound personal ritual, further cementing its status as a symbol of her independence and confidence.

Millie Bobby Brown's "shaved head" is more than just a memorable haircut; it is a foundational element of her celebrity identity. It represents the courage, commitment, and self-assuredness she brought to the role of Eleven, which ultimately launched her into superstardom. Her openness about the experience, from the sensory details to her future plans, continues to inspire fans and solidify the buzzcut as her most defining and empowering style choice.