The end of Stranger Things marks the close of a massive chapter for its breakout star, Millie Bobby Brown, but she’s not packing her bags for Hollywood. Instead, the 21-year-old actress is putting down deep, permanent roots in the Atlanta area, where the hit Netflix series was primarily filmed. For Brown, who started the show when she was just 10 years old, Georgia is the longest place she’s lived consecutively in her life. “For me, this is my home,” she told British Vogue.
It’s clear that Brown’s priorities have shifted toward building a grounded, private life with her husband, Jake Bongiovi. Her decision to stay in Georgia was influenced by her parents, who wanted to protect her from growing up “in that world” of Hollywood. Now, Brown is thriving in an “unstarry” community near Atlanta, filled with local friends like vets and coffee shop owners.
Farm Life, Furry Friends, and Future Plans
Life in the Peach State is anything but dull, however. Brown and Bongiovi live on a farm and share an astounding number of animals—about 40 farm animals in total, which Brown jokingly says feels similar to a “petting zoo”. This collection includes 11 dogs and four cats. At one point, she even had a 200-pound sheep inside her house that was “ripping [her] curtains down”.
Her love for animals goes beyond her own property; she is currently taking online classes at Purdue University to receive her veterinary technician degree. She also founded an animal shelter called Joey’s Friends.
When she isn’t acting or managing her successful beauty brand, Florence By Mills, Brown emphasizes that acting doesn’t “define” her. Instead, she focuses on having a “sense of purpose within [her] own personal life”.
The Beautiful Journey of New Parenthood
The biggest update in her quiet Georgia life came this summer. Brown and Bongiovi, who tied the knot in May 2024, announced in August 2025 that they had welcomed a baby girl through adoption.
This step into motherhood was long-awaited, as Brown, who is one of four siblings, has always wanted a large family. She expressed that she doesn’t see adopting as “really any different” than having one’s own child.
Since becoming a mom, Brown says her perspective has radically shifted. “It’s been a beautiful, amazing journey—she’s taught us so much already,” Brown gushed. For her and Jake, “The smaller things in life are so much more precious”, and their days are filled with “endless joy”.
As for her partner in parenthood, Brown is quick to praise Jake. The couple splits parenting duties evenly: “We are 50-50 on everything,” she stated. She added that she is so grateful for him because “he is just the most amazing dad”. Even Jake’s father, rocker Jon Bon Jovi, is obsessed with his new granddaughter, joking that he wants to be called “Papa” and will carry her everywhere for the next decade.
Protecting Her Daughter’s Story
Given her own challenging experience growing up in the unrelenting spotlight of child stardom, Brown is fiercely committed to protecting her daughter’s privacy.
When asked about her daughter’s personality, Brown refused to share, stating, “For me, it’s really important to protect her and her story until she’s old enough to potentially one day share it herself”.
She also revealed that she and Jake will not disclose their daughter’s name until “she’s ready to decide for herself”. Brown emphasized that, as parents, “it’s our job to protect her from that” unsolicited attention.
This determination to defend her private life stems, in part, from the intense public scrutiny she has faced. Earlier this year, while promoting The Electric State, Brown received harsh criticism and mockery about her blonde hair and makeup, with trolls claiming the look made her appear older, and some speculating about plastic surgery.
Brown admitted that the backlash left her “depressed for three, four days,” crying every day. Fortunately, she received much-needed support from Sabrina Carpenter, who gave her a pep talk at the Brit Awards and advised her to adopt a mindset of “‘Fuck ‘em’”. Brown then publicly addressed the issue, declaring, “I am 21. I am going to have fun and play and be myself”.
It’s clear that this young star, who faced the pressures of fame so early, is making deliberate choices to ensure her family life in Georgia remains peaceful.
