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‘Stranger Things’ Actress Calls Out Sexualization of Young Stars

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Updated on July 6, 2023

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Natalia Dyer, a star of “Stranger Things,” is criticizing inappropriate fandom.

In a recent interview with The Independent, Dyer, 25, discussed her new film, Yes, God, Yes, which examines a teen’s s-xual awakening and spoke openly about the sexualization of young performers.

Among the young actors in the cast of “Stranger Things” are Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard.

When asked about how her youthful co-stars are depicted in the media, Dyer said, “There are so many layers going on here. I generally feel like, to me, it’s over-sexualizing them. I feel protective over the younger kids even though they’re not kids anymore, they’re teens. They’re all great people and all having to grow up in very crazy circumstances. As a private person, I just feel like, leave people alone – unless you’re talking about their work or what they want to talk about.”

She noted that the sexualization of young performers is “a cultural issue” when speaking generally about the subject.

“It’s been like, five years since we started Stranger Things, and I’ve become more confident in how I handle situations,” she continued. “At first, I had quite a few bouts of anxiety just as the show was coming out because there’s this mentality of letting people down and not giving enough.”

Eleven’s actress, Millie Bobby Brown, has already spoken out against the issue of the show’s young actors being inappropriately sexualized.

When she was barely 13 years old, the actress was placed on a list of considerably older performers that included Claire Foy, Nicole Kidman, and Keri Russell as one of the “Hottest” actors on TV in 2017 by the publication W.

“16 has felt like a long time coming,” she penned. “I feel like change needs to happen for not only this generation but the next. Our world needs kindness and support in order for us children to grow and succeed.”

“The last few years haven’t been easy, I’ll admit that,” she added. “There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization, and unnecessary insults that ultimately have resulted in pain and insecurity for me.”

The Enola Holmes actress vowed to continue “spreading the message in order to make change.”

“Let’s focus on what needs changing,” she stated. “I hope this video informs you on the things that go on behind the scenes of the headlines and flashing lights. Don’t worry I’ll always find a way to smile.”

Aside from promoting shows like “Stranger Things” and her most recent independent film, “Yes, God, Yes”, Dyer has largely shied away from the media spotlight. “It’s very like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just want to go to the grocery store and get some milk. I don’t want to take a photo everywhere I go.’ At first, it was jarring. There are fans everywhere. It’s a difficult thing to navigate.”

Dyer made comments about the over-sexualization of her fellow Netflix stars following swift backlash against the streaming giant over its promotional materials for the French movie “Cuties.”

Pre-pubescent girls in scantily clad poses were depicted in the movie’s posters.

Netflix issued a statement in which it was “deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork” used to promote the movie and claimed that it was not “representative” of the content.