Millie Bobby Brown is opening up about the hidden costs of childhood stardom, revealing that her decade-long run on "Stranger Things" left her with social skills she is still working to develop as an adult.

The 22-year-old actress, who portrayed Eleven across all five seasons of the hit Netflix series from 2016 to 2025, shared candid reflections during Monday's episode of the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast. Brown acknowledged that skipping traditional public school in favor of life on a film set created gaps in her ability to connect with people her own age.

"Well, I didn't go to public school, so maybe a bit of socialization," Brown explained when asked about what she missed during her formative years.

The actress described feeling uncertain when interacting with fans who approach her, particularly those in her age group. She admitted that the environment she grew up in was far from typical, surrounded primarily by male crew members over 40 years old.

"I heard a lot of adult talk growing up, and didn't really talk about the things you're meant to talk about as a kid," she said.

Brown noted that her conversational comfort zone revolves around filmmaking terminology rather than social small talk. She can discuss lens changes and camera shots extensively but struggles with casual topics like nightlife recommendations.

Her husband, Jake Bongiovi, whom she married in May 2024, has helped her navigate social situations. Brown described the son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi as "the most social butterfly" and her "complete opposite," crediting his boarding school and college background with giving him an ease around others that she is actively working to develop.

"When I met him, I really tried to lean in more to that. So I'm in my social era," she shared.

The actress also revealed that she removed social media from her phone in 2021, citing mental health concerns, and hired a manager to handle her accounts. She emphasized that she continues to write her own captions to maintain a connection with fans while avoiding public commentary about her posts.

The emotional toll of concluding "Stranger Things" caught Brown off guard. She described experiencing "a slight depression" after filming wrapped, surprising even herself given her typically optimistic disposition.

Brown and Bongiovi announced in August 2024 that they had adopted a daughter, choosing to keep the child's name and image private. The actress appears to be navigating the complex transition from child star to adulthood with the same authenticity that has defined her career.