Millie Bobby Brown is opening up about motherhood, adoption, and the family life she has started with husband Jake Bongiovi. In a recent appearance on the podcast “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce,” the “Enola Holmes 3” star said adoption had long been one of her childhood dreams and that it was never a fallback option. Brown said she “always, always wanted to adopt,” explaining that even as a young child she imagined her baby dolls as adopted and never pretended to be pregnant. She also made clear that while adoption has always been deeply meaningful to her, she still hopes to carry a child someday in the future.
Brown and Bongiovi announced in August 2025 that they had welcomed a baby girl through adoption. At the time, the couple asked for privacy as they entered parenthood, and they have since kept their daughter’s name and image out of the public eye. Brown said the couple took time to understand adoption more fully before moving forward. She described how her earlier studies in social work, along with later interest in veterinary medicine, influenced her view of family-building. She said she learned a great deal from social work classes about adoption, birth mothers, and the emotional journey involved, and that those lessons helped shape the couple’s decision.
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The actress stressed that adoption means permanence and love to her, saying it is “love” and “forever.” She explained that she and Bongiovi wanted to understand the full story of adoption and the experience of birth mothers before they began the process. According to Brown, their approach was careful and intentional, rather than rushed.
Brown has also spoken publicly about the realities of new motherhood. In a UNICEF video released June 1 as part of the organization’s “My Parenting Journey” series, the actress, who serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, described the moments when she is unsure whether something her daughter is doing is normal. She said she often turns to her own mother for reassurance, calling her her “911” for parenting questions. Brown said her mother usually calms her worries by explaining that the behavior is completely normal and happens all the time.
At the same time, Brown acknowledged that motherhood has brought unexpected criticism from some women online and elsewhere. She said some reactions have been harsh and expressed frustration with the negativity. Brown noted that she has no patience for people trying to tear others down, especially over parenting. She also said Mother’s Day should be a time to celebrate all kinds of mothers, including adoptive mothers, birth mothers, and maternal figures. For Brown, that message reflects the broader meaning of motherhood and the importance of honoring those raising the next generation.
