Millie Bobby Brown has been criticised online after a meet-and-greet photo with a fan in a wheelchair went viral.
The image, taken at a People Conventions event, sparked debate over what some users described as an awkward interaction.
The photo shows the Stranger Things actor sitting on a stool and angling her body toward the fan, with both smiling for the camera.
The image was shared on X by a user named Faye, who questioned Brown’s posture in the photo. “Couldn’t she stand up and hug her or something um?” the user wrote.
The post quickly gained traction, drawing widespread attention and strong reactions.
Since being posted, the tweet has been viewed more than 18.5 million times and received over 80,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
Several users criticised Brown for not standing up or moving closer.
One wrote: “Did someone superglue her to the stool or what?”
Another said: “People pay good money for these meet & greets and get this… tragic.”
India Times reported that the fan paid $200 for the photo. Others echoed similar sentiments, calling the moment uncomfortable or disrespectful.
Comments continued to criticise the perceived lack of engagement. Some suggested Brown “wanted no part in that picture.”
Others argued that the actor should have made more effort given the cost of the meet-and-greet.
One user wrote that the situation could have been wholesome but instead appeared awkward.
Defenders urge caution and context
Other social media users quickly pushed back against the criticism. Several pointed out that it was impossible to judge the interaction based on a single image.
One person suggested the situation may have involved sensory or physical boundaries. They noted that some people with disabilities may not be comfortable with physical contact.
Another user said that what mattered was whether both individuals were comfortable. “Maybe both of them were fine with this,” they wrote.
Others criticised the tone of the backlash, saying people were projecting assumptions onto the moment.
One commenter said: “Why don’t you worry about your physical boundaries and let her worry about hers.”
Some users shared additional context that appeared to support Brown. A screenshot circulated showing a Facebook post from the fan in the wheelchair. In the post, the fan shared the photo and a picture of Brown’s autograph.
The caption read: “Don’t believe in your dreams, make them come true!! – Maria. Thank u Millie, love u.” Supporters pointed to the post as evidence that the fan was happy with the experience.
Millie Bobby Brown began acting in 2013 with a role in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. Her career gained global attention after Stranger Things premiered in 2016.
Since then, she has starred in projects including Enola Holmes, Enola Holmes 2, Damsel, and Godzilla vs. Kong. She has also launched her own fashion and beauty brand, Florence by Mills.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things has aired for the last time on Netflix this year.
Despite the online backlash, excitement around the series remains high and it continues to break Netflix records.
Featured image credit: instagram/milliebobbybrown & x/@sevenflings
