Key Takeaways:
– Millie Bobby Brown defends herself over accent change criticism.
– The actress explains her experience of growing up in public and adapting to her surroundings influenced her accent.
– Brown’s engagement to Jake Bongiovi, whose American influence, could also be a factor in her evolving accent.
In the hot seat of a recent controversy, actress Millie Bobby Brown speaks out against online criticism regarding fluctuation in her accent. The “Stranger Things” star has found herself in the crosshairs of social media scrutiny for apparently shifting between a British and an American dialect during her appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Accent Adaptation, Not Faux Pas
In an online era where accent faux pas often become trending content, predictably, this hitch did not go unnoticed. One TikTok user described her British accent as “barely there anymore” after her stint on the late-night show.
The British-born actress, however, begs to differ. Growing up between England and the United States, Brown stresses the changes detected by listeners are wholly unintended and a chain reaction of her adaptable upbringing.
Influence of Surroundings and Roles
“I’m an actor,” Brown asserted during an interview with internet personality Max Baledge. “I grew up in the public eye. I grew up in America. I come to set, and I’m an actor and I adapt, I want to mimic other people!”
Adding to this, Brown cited her engagement to Jake Bongiovi, son of celebrated musician Jon Bon Jovi, as another potential influence. His American accent leaves an impact, even if subconsciously, on her speech.
Sincerity and Adaptation
“I can’t help that when I’m around my fiancé, or when I’m with people like Jimmy Fallon, who have a very American accent, I wanna replicate it!” Brown maintained. “And now I’m in England, I wanna replicate that [accent]!”
She further pleaded her case with utmost sincerity, stating, “I don’t do it intentionally, and I’m sorry if it offends you. But listen, I’m trying my best! I’m trying my best.”
A Crossroad of Criticism and Support
Adept at imitating accents, Brown has earned critical acclaim for her performance as “Eleven” in Netflix’s smash hit, “Stranger Things,” where she impeccably mimic an American accent. In fact, her extraordinary knack for voice modulation has earned her applause during earlier appearances on “Fallon,” where she has impressively emulated iconic voices like Amy Winehouse’s and Anna Delvey’s.
The topic of her fluctuating accent has split social media into two camps, some criticizing the inconsistency in her voice and others leaping to her defense.
One Twitter user framed the conversation from a cultural perspective, noting that code-switching, adapting an accent to fit one’s surroundings, is a common phenomenon. “She code-switches (…) but everyone does this when you have an accent. If you live in a country for so long, you start to adapt to that language like she said.” A counter viewpoint remembered her long tenure in American roles during her formative years as another potential factor behind her accent evolution.
Despite the criticism, Millie Bobby Brown continues to rise in popularity, proving once again that her talent extends beyond merely adopting accents. As her charismatic performance in the newly released Netflix film “Damsel” shows, Brown remains a formidable force in the entertainment industry. The young actress, evolving accent or not, seems poised to continue charming audiences worldwide.