The friendship between rapper Drake and actress Millie Bobby Brown has sparked plenty of controversy over the years. When Millie was just 13 years old, she began a public and rather intimate friendship with the much older rapper, sparking questions about the appropriateness of their bond. While both have defended their relationship, it’s impossible to ignore the unsettling optics of a 31-year-old man forming a close connection with a young girl, especially when it involved private communication and unchaperoned interactions.

How It All Began

Drake and Millie Bobby Brown’s unusual relationship began in 2017, when Millie was in Australia promoting Stranger Things. The young actress met Drake at a hotel after his team invited her and her father to see his show. Millie was thrilled by the experience and later described the encounter as a “fan moment,” saying that she and Drake immediately hit it off. She shared that the two were in constant communication, texting each other frequently.

Millie has spoken about how Drake became something of a mentor to her, offering advice on how to navigate the complexities of the entertainment world, including tips on handling relationships with boys in the industry. In interviews, Millie spoke fondly of Drake, saying, “We just text each other the other day. He was like, ‘I miss you so much,’ and I was like, ‘I miss you more.’” These interactions might sound harmless to some, but the concern arises when you consider the age difference and the dynamic of a grown man giving relationship advice to a teenage girl.

The Yachting Incident

One of the most talked-about moments of their friendship came when Millie posted a picture on social media showing herself aboard a yacht with Drake. At the time, she was only 13 years old. The image quickly drew attention, and the fact that Drake was credited with taking the photo only added to the questions surrounding their friendship. Why was a young girl spending time alone with an adult man, especially on a yacht without any apparent parental supervision?

Millie later posted a thank-you message to Drake for a jacket he had given her, further fueling the conversation around their bond. Though she insists that their relationship was strictly platonic and that Drake was like a brother to her, the optics of the situation felt off to many people.

The Controversy Escalates

The controversy surrounding Drake and Millie Bobby Brown took a new turn when Kendrick Lamar, in his diss track “Not Like Us,” appeared to accuse Drake of inappropriate behavior with underage girls. Kendrick didn’t name Millie directly, but it was clear to many that he was hinting at Drake’s controversial friendships with young women. In response, Drake made an unusual move by directly mentioning Millie in his own track, The Heart Part 6, further igniting the discussion.

By publicly naming Millie, Drake not only responded to Kendrick’s accusations but also brought attention to a relationship that many had already found troubling. This act raised even more eyebrows, as Kendrick had never actually named Millie in his original song. Why did Drake feel the need to bring her into the conversation?

The Text Message Scandal

Adding fuel to the fire, reports surfaced that Drake and Millie had exchanged text messages that some found concerning. According to Flex Magazine, screenshots of texts allegedly sent by Drake to Millie showed him asking for selfies and even expressing concern when Millie didn’t respond. In one exchange, Drake sent Millie a selfie and asked her to send one back. When she didn’t reply, he allegedly asked, “Are you mad at me?”

While these texts have not been definitively confirmed as genuine, they contributed to the ongoing conversation about the nature of their relationship. For many, it’s unsettling to think that a grown man would ask a 13-year-old girl for selfies or feel concerned if she didn’t respond immediately. It raises the question: what kind of boundaries should exist between an adult celebrity and a young teenager?

Fans and Critics Weigh In

The public has been divided on this issue. Many fans defend Millie and Drake, arguing that their friendship was innocent and that they were just two people supporting each other. Millie herself has dismissed the criticism, saying in 2018, “Why do you need to make a lovely friendship your headline? You guys are weird for real.” She has described how she feels blessed to have someone like Drake offering her guidance.

However, there are many who are disturbed by their connection, particularly given the age gap. Critics argue that it’s inappropriate for a 31-year-old man to form such a close relationship with a 13-year-old girl, regardless of the intentions behind it. One commenter on social media described Drake’s behavior as “creepy,” suggesting that his obsession with young girls might stem from unresolved issues from his own youth. Others pointed out that a 13-year-old girl, even one as mature as Millie, is still not emotionally or cognitively developed enough to navigate relationships with adults in the same way an older individual might.

Drake’s Deflection

Drake has not shied away from addressing the criticisms of his friendship with Millie. In his songs, he often deflects any concerns, calling critics “weirdos” and dismissing the accusations as misunderstandings. On his recent album For All the Dogs, he responded to the backlash, rapping, “My bank account is Magnolia / Millie Rockin’ a weirdo was in my comment talking about some Millie Bobby.” It seems as though Drake is attempting to brush off the allegations as baseless, but the fact that he felt compelled to address them in his music only adds to the skepticism surrounding the friendship.

A Complicated Situation

Ultimately, the question remains: what was really going on between Drake and Millie Bobby Brown? Was it simply a mentorship between two individuals from different worlds, or was there something more troubling beneath the surface? While both Drake and Millie continue to insist that their relationship was strictly platonic, the nature of their interactions—particularly given the age gap and the private nature of their communications—raises uncomfortable questions.

Even if the relationship was innocent, the optics are problematic. The image of a grown man spending time with a young girl in private settings, without parental supervision, is hard to ignore. In hindsight, it’s difficult not to see how their interactions could be interpreted as inappropriate.

Conclusion

Drake and Millie Bobby Brown’s relationship will likely continue to be a subject of public debate for years to come. While Millie maintains that Drake was like a brother to her, and that their friendship was purely innocent, the age gap, the text messages, and the unsupervised moments raise questions that can’t be easily dismissed. Whether or not there was any ill intent behind their interactions, the public perception of this friendship is marred by uncomfortable optics.

As we continue to scrutinize the relationships between celebrities and young people, especially in the context of power dynamics and age gaps, it’s clear that some connections—no matter how well-intentioned—are best kept in the spotlight for closer examination.