It was a moment Millie Bobby Brown says she will never forget. Just under a year ago, she and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, received a phone call that changed their lives forever—the confirmation that they had been matched with a baby girl through adoption. Speaking on Jay Shetty's video podcast On Purpose, the Enola Holmes actor described the experience as “the most surreal feeling.”
Brown, who rose to fame as Eleven in Netflix's Stranger Things, has long been a private figure when it comes to her personal life. She met Bongiovi, the son of rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, in 2021, and the couple married in a secret ceremony at Villa Cetinale in Tuscany in 2024. Now they are proud parents to a little girl whose identity they carefully guard, having experienced firsthand the challenges of growing up in the public eye. Brown has been the target of online hate for choosing to become a mother at a young age—and for doing so through adoption. During her interview with Shetty, she revisited the topic, explaining that adoption had always been a central part of her motherhood goals.
“I had a lot of adopted friends growing up. I was someone who, I don’t know, always wanted to be a mum; that was always a goal, but for me, adoption was kind of the first thing I always wanted to do,” Brown said. “I don’t necessarily think I have some amazing, elaborate answer, but when it’s in your heart, it’s just in your heart. I just thought that’s going to be a part of my journey.”
A Lifelong Dream Realized
Brown’s path to adoption began long before she met Bongiovi. She revealed that her interest deepened during a two-year period when she studied social work, immersing herself in the field and learning firsthand about the adoption process. “I studied social work for two years and I loved it,” she recalled. “[I] was learning primarily about adoption, which was where I really piqued an interest, and learning from the social worker’s perspective, which I find very interesting. Kudos to all social workers and what they do; I think it’s so amazing and unbelievable. Changing the trajectory of children’s lives forever is a beautiful thing, so my hats off to you.”
This academic background gave Brown a unique insight into the intricacies of adoption. She learned about the legal, emotional, and logistical challenges that families face, as well as the profound rewards. The experience solidified her desire to adopt, she said, and prepared her for the journey ahead.
Fortunately, her husband was equally enthusiastic. “I would say Jake was kind of in from the jump. Maybe that’s why I married him. We were just so aligned. No explanation needed,” Brown said. “It was kind of great to be able to just know that we wanted to start a family still rooted in love, but through adoption.”
The Call That Changed Everything
The adoption process, as Brown described, was “rightfully” long and thorough. The couple had to undergo home studies, background checks, and interviews, all while waiting to be matched with a child. When the call finally came, both she and Bongiovi were overwhelmed with joy.
“Getting the call, I mean, I will never forget it,” she told Shetty. “It was the most surreal feeling and yet we both knew in that moment, like, that was…that we had found each other. Like, oh my goodness, this is our girl, 100%, no doubt.”
Brown recalled a conversation she had with another adoptive mother, who told her, “There are two ways to have a baby, one through your stomach and one through your heart, and my girl was through my heart.” That sentiment resonated deeply with Brown, and she has carried it with her ever since.
Protecting Their Daughter’s Privacy
Despite her fame, Brown and Bongiovi have made a conscious decision to keep their daughter out of the spotlight. They have not revealed her name, and they rarely discuss her in interviews. In a separate conversation with British Vogue, Brown explained why: “It’s not my place to purposefully put her in the spotlight unwillingly. If she chooses to share her personality one day with the world, like I did when I was young, that’s something we’d support. But right now, as she’s so little. As her parents, it’s our job to protect her from that.”
This stance is rooted in Brown’s own experiences. She began acting at a young age, and her rapid rise to fame brought both opportunity and scrutiny. She has spoken openly about the challenges of growing up in the public eye, including cyberbullying and intense media attention. By shielding her daughter from that world, she hopes to give her a normal childhood.
A Star’s Journey to Motherhood
Millie Bobby Brown was born in Spain in 2004 to British parents. The family moved to England when she was four, and then to Florida when she was eight. She began acting professionally at the age of nine, landing small roles in shows like Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and Intruders. Her big break came in 2016 when she was cast as Eleven in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. The show became a cultural phenomenon, and Brown’s performance earned her critical acclaim, including two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Since then, she has expanded her career beyond acting. She has produced and starred in the Enola Holmes film series, launched a beauty line called Florence by Mills, and become a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She married Jake Bongiovi in 2024, and the couple now balances their careers with parenthood.
Brown’s decision to adopt at a young age has drawn both praise and criticism. Some fans have questioned why she would choose adoption over biological parenthood, while others have accused her of being too young for such a responsibility. Brown has addressed these reactions with grace, emphasizing that her choice was deeply personal and made with love.
“I don’t think you have to have a perfect reason to adopt,” she said in the interview. “It’s something that comes from your heart, and I’ve always felt it. Jake and I talked about it early on, and we were on the same page. It just felt right.”
The Broader Context of Celebrity Adoption
Brown joins a growing list of celebrities who have chosen to build their families through adoption. Stars like Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Sandra Bullock, and Charlize Theron have all adopted children, often from other countries or through domestic agencies. Many have spoken about the joys and challenges of the process, and some have used their platforms to advocate for adoption awareness.
In recent years, adoption has become more visible in popular culture, with TV shows and movies exploring the topic. However, the process remains complex and often lengthy. Prospective parents must navigate a web of legal requirements, home studies, and matching processes. For celebrities, the added layer of media scrutiny can make the journey even more challenging.
Brown has been open about the importance of privacy during this time. She and Bongiovi have not shared many details about their daughter’s background, but they have expressed gratitude to the adoption agency and social workers who helped them. “It’s a beautiful thing when people open their homes and their hearts to a child,” Brown said. “I feel so lucky to have gone through this process. It has taught me so much about love and family.”
A New Chapter
As Brown continues to navigate motherhood alongside her career, she remains focused on what matters most: her family. She has scaled back on some projects to spend more time at home, but she still has several exciting ventures in the works, including the final season of Stranger Things and future Enola Holmes installments.
For now, though, her priority is her daughter. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to us,” Brown said. “Every day I look at her and I just can’t believe she’s ours. It’s a feeling I can’t really put into words.”
The actor also emphasized the importance of normalcy for her child. She and Bongiovi try to keep their home life as grounded as possible, away from the cameras and the noise of Hollywood. “We have a very simple routine,” she said. “We read books, we play in the garden, we have dance parties in the living room. It’s just the three of us, and that’s the way we like it.”
Brown’s openness about her adoption journey has inspired many of her fans, some of whom have reached out to share their own stories. She hopes that by speaking out, she can help destigmatize adoption and encourage others to consider it. “It’s a beautiful way to build a family,” she said. “Not everyone’s path looks the same, and that’s okay. What matters is that you love your child with all your heart.”
As she looks to the future, Brown says she is excited to watch her daughter grow and discover her own passions. Whether that leads to a life in the spotlight or a quiet existence outside of it, Brown and Bongiovi will support her every step of the way. “We’re just so grateful,” Brown said. “This is the start of a beautiful adventure.”
Source: Vanity Fair News