If you've spent more than five minutes on social media in the last few years, you’ve probably seen the memes. Or the think pieces. Or the heated Twitter threads. The bond between Drake and Millie Bobby Brown is one of those pop culture moments that just won't go away. People are still talking about it in 2026. Honestly, it’s because the whole thing feels kinda "off" to a lot of folks, while others think it’s just a mentor-protege thing that got blown way out of proportion.
Let’s get into the weeds of what actually happened.
How the Drake and Millie Bobby Brown Friendship Started
It all kicked off back in November 2017. Drake was in Australia for his "Boy Meets World" tour. Millie, who was only 13 or 14 at the time and riding the massive wave of Stranger Things fame, went to his show in Brisbane. They met backstage. They took photos. Drake posted a picture of them together with the caption "Hawkins Very Own," and Millie posted one saying "blessed to have my security be my plus one."
It seemed like a standard "celebrity meeting celebrity" moment.
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But then things got chatty. Millie eventually told W Magazine and Access Hollywood that they stayed in touch. Like, a lot. She mentioned they texted "all the time" and that Drake gave her advice. When the reporter asked what kind of advice, she said it was "about boys."
That’s where the internet lost its collective mind.
The age gap was the sticking point. In 2017, Drake was 31. Millie was 14. People started using words like "grooming" and "predatory," while Millie’s team and Millie herself insisted it was purely a professional mentorship. You've gotta remember, Drake started as a child actor on Degrassi, so the argument was that he "got it." He knew what it was like to grow up in the spotlight.
The Backlash and the "Weirdo" Comments
Millie didn't take the criticism sitting down. She actually took to her Instagram Story to fire back at the headlines. She basically called the public "weird" for making her friendship a scandal.
"I’m lucky to have people in the business extend their time to help me further my career and offer their wisdom and guidance," she wrote. "U don’t get to choose that for me."
She was 14 and defending a 31-year-old man. To many, that was the biggest red flag of all. To others, it was a young woman standing up for a friend who was helping her navigate a very shark-infested industry.
The story simmered for years. It would pop up whenever Millie had a birthday or whenever Drake was linked to another young star (like Bella Harris or Billie Eilish).
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Drake Finally Claps Back in "Another Late Night"
Fast forward to late 2023. Drake drops his album For All the Dogs. He finally addresses the elephant in the room on a track called "Another Late Night."
He raps:
"Weirdos in my comments talkin' 'bout some Millie Bobby, look / Bring them jokes up to the gang, we get to really flockin'."
It wasn't exactly a heart-to-heart explanation. It was more of a "stop talking about me" threat. By this time, Millie was 19 and engaged to Jake Bongiovi (they’ve since married). The fact that Drake waited until she was an adult to address the rumors in a song felt, to some critics, like a tactical move.
Why the Public is Still Skeptical
The internet doesn't forget. Even now, the conversation usually focuses on three main things:
- The Power Dynamic: A world-famous rapper and a young teen girl aren't "equals." The "boy advice" comment specifically rubbed people the wrong way because it felt too intimate for a professional mentorship.
- The Pattern: Critics often point out that Drake has a history of befriending young female stars. He was also seen texting a then-17-year-old Billie Eilish, which she also defended.
- The "Mentor" Label: While Drake was a child star, his experience on a Canadian teen drama is wildly different from being the face of a global Netflix phenomenon.
Where Do Things Stand Now?
Honestly? They aren't seen together much anymore. Millie is now a married woman, a producer, and a business owner. She’s moved far past the "child star" era. Drake continues to be Drake, dealing with his own set of industry feuds and controversies.
There has never been any evidence of anything illegal or even physical. It remains a "he-said, she-said" of intentions. Was it a genuine attempt by an older artist to help a younger one? Or was it a boundary-crossing friendship that should have stayed in the professional lane?
Key Takeaways for Navigating Celeb News
When you're looking at stories like the Drake and Millie Bobby Brown saga, it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind:
- Check the source of the quotes: Most of the "scandalous" info came directly from Millie’s own enthusiastic interviews when she was a kid.
- Context matters: The entertainment industry has a very different "normal" than the average workplace. That doesn't make it right, but it's why these things happen.
- Respect the subject's agency: Millie has consistently said she was fine with the friendship. While we can criticize the optics, she has never claimed to be a victim.
If you're trying to keep up with how these relationships evolve, it's worth following the artists' official social channels rather than just tabloid snippets. Often, the "drama" is just a recycled story from five years ago.
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You can look up the full lyrics to "Another Late Night" to see how Drake frames his defense, or check out Millie's 2018 Access Hollywood interview on YouTube to see the original context of the "boy advice" quote.