Millie Bobby dons bold bob in Saudi Arabia as Stranger Things era ends

Millie Bobby Brown unveiled a dramatic new look over the weekend as she stepped onto the red carpet at the Joy Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, debuting a short, choppy bob and signalling a fresh chapter in her life and career.

The 21-year-old actress appeared to be embracing a post-Stranger Things era after the Netflix phenomenon aired its final episode earlier this month. She ditched her longer red hair in favor of the cropped style, continuing a long tradition of fearless transformations that began when she famously shaved her head to play Eleven.

Millie attended the annual Joy Awards, where she was honoured with the Personality of the Year award. The ceremony celebrates "music stars and legends, cinema icons, accomplished athletes, and other inspiring figures who are making a positive impact on people's lives."

She commanded attention in a shimmering silver crystal mesh Tamara Ralph gown, adorned with mother-of-pearl sequin flowers from the designer’s Autumn-Winter 2025/2026 collection, first unveiled in Paris last year. Chopard earrings completed the look, pairing seamlessly with her elegant makeup and freshly cut hair.

Speaking on the red carpet about her transformation, Millie said: "I feel like old Hollywood tonight. I just cut my hair into a very short bob, so I was like, "Okay, the sparklier, the better"."

During her acceptance speech, the actress became emotional as she reflected on the end of Stranger Things and her new role as a mother. Millie and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, 23, adopted a baby daughter in the summer of 2025 and shared the news publicly in August. Her longtime friend and Stranger Things co-star Noah Schnapp is the child’s godfather.

She told the audience: "Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be in the creative world. Pursuing creativity and becoming an actor at eight years old wasn’t a dream I chased on my own. It was encouraged and supported by my parents, who never doubted me for a second.

"I’m so honored to have my own unit in my life. My family are my anchor, my husband is my sail, my team are my engine, and my daughter is my North Star. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them."

While Millie has become more open about motherhood, she remains fiercely protective of her daughter’s privacy. Speaking to British Vogue for its December issue, she stressed that she has no intention of revealing her child’s identity publicly until she is old enough to make that decision herself.

"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 explained. "It's our job to protect her from that."

The actress has also recently revealed that she has officially taken her husband’s surname, becoming Millie Bonnie Bongiovi. The change was revealed during a playful interview with Noah Schnapp, who initially stumbled over her updated name before she corrected him with a wide smile.

Millie and Jake, both one of four siblings, have been open about their desire for a large family and their shared approach to parenting.

"I really want a big family," she told Vogue, adding: "We are 50-50 on everything… he is just the most amazing dad."

The couple married in May 2024 after years of publicly discussing their hopes of becoming parents, including their belief that adoption would be a natural part of building their family. That dream became reality in August.

"This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption," they announced.

"We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy."