Millie Bobby Brown Reveals Stranger Things Costar Noah Schnapp Is Her Baby Daughter’s Godfather
In the warm swirl of flashing cameras and eager questions at the red carpet premiere of the final season of Stranger Things, 21-year-old actress Millie Bobby Brown welcomed an intimate question about her personal life—and she answered with a moment of genuine tenderness. In a candid chat with Entertainment Tonight, she revealed that her long-time friend and costar, Noah Schnapp, is not just a fellow cast member but the godfather of her newly-adopted baby daughter. It’s a revelation that sheds light on the deep bonds formed behind the scenes of the Netflix hit and highlights how Brown, now entering motherhood, surrounds herself with trusted relationships.
Brown and her husband, Jake Bongiovi (son of musician Jon Bon Jovi), announced in August that they had welcomed their first child, a baby girl, through adoption. They issued a joint Instagram statement that read: “This summer we welcomed our sweet baby girl … and then there were 3.” From the moment of that announcement, Brown consistently emphasized her desire for privacy and peace as she embarks on this new chapter. In her cover interview with British Vogue, she explained that she would not share her daughter’s name or personality publicly until the child is old enough to decide for herself. “It’s our job to protect her from that,” Brown said.
The decision to name Schnapp as godfather is a meaningful one. Brown described how, when she and her husband are together with the cast of Stranger Things, everyone softens into a different version of themselves, especially around the baby. “Sadie is very, very maternal, but Noah’s her godfather,” she told the outlet, referring to castmate Sadie Sink, who plays Max in the show. “They all turn into the most gooey, soft versions of themselves [and] their baby voice comes out when they’re around her.”
Schnapp, for his part, reflected publicly on the moment, speaking of his longtime friendship with Brown, which dates back to the early days of the show. “Aw, it’s honestly the greatest joy,” he said. “It’s actually crazy to me to see her grow from such a wide-eyed, innocent young silly girl and now she’s a mom and married. And I’m just so proud of her.”
That humble, emotional acknowledgment gives a sense of how far Brown has come in her journey—professionally and personally—and how the relationships she’s forged along the way are playing a deeply supportive role. From her breakout age of 12 portraying Eleven on the hit sci-fi series, Brown navigated the spotlight with poise. Her early career was marked by both rapid success and intense public scrutiny, including conversations about her youth, her changing body, her marriage at 20 in May 2024, and now motherhood. From that vantage, having a friend like Schnapp—who has witnessed much of that evolution—take on a godfather role speaks to trust, shared history, and chosen family.
The timing is notable. As Stranger Things nears its end, with Season 5 premiering on November 26, it marks not just the end of an era on-screen but a new era off-screen for Brown. The close-knit nature of the cast has long been celebrated: from filming in however challenging conditions to supporting each other through massive growth and change, they became more than colleagues. Brown’s comment that the cast members “turn into the most gooey, soft versions of themselves” around the baby underscores that this isn’t just a professional relationship—it’s one of emotion, comfort and history.
Brown’s focus on privacy is another recurring thread. In her interview with British Vogue, she emphasized that for now, her child will remain shielded from the public eye. “I’m not going to. 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 said. “It’s not my place to purposefully put her in the spotlight unwillingly.” Even her daughter’s name remains undisclosed.
This protective stance is particularly relevant in today’s world of social media and instant-access celebrity culture. At 21, Brown has already lived through times of intense public attention, from red-carpet moments to commentary about her appearance and career choices. By positioning herself now as a parent first, and celebrity second when it comes to her child, she is choosing the boundaries that she wishes to set for her family. That decision—paired with selecting a childhood friend and costar as godfather—signals her desire to maintain authenticity and stability in a shifting, often unpredictable industry.
For Schnapp, the title of godfather brings with it a symbolic weight. While the exact details of what the role will entail remain private—as they should—his words reflect sincerity and respect. After years of acting together and growing alongside each other, the announcement puts a spotlight on how the cast of Stranger Things has functioned more like a family than simply a collection of young actors. It also speaks to how Brown chooses to surround herself: by people who have seen her at her earliest, most vulnerable moments—and remain present now, in this new chapter of life.
Still, even as we celebrate this moment, it’s worth acknowledging that navigating early-parenthood in the spotlight will be complex. Brown’s commitment to adoption as an equally meaningful path to parenthood, her emphasis on shared partnership with her husband, and her setting of boundaries are all admirable. Yet the scrutiny she faces will remain. The public will continue to question, comment, and watch—and so her decision to entrust those closest to her with her daughter’s care and upbringing takes on even more significance. It’s an assertion of agency and control at a moment when that has often eluded young stars in the past.
From the delight of a moment on the red carpet to the quiet statements about protection and privacy, this story offers a glimpse not only into Brown’s personal life but also into how she chooses to define it. She didn’t simply announce the identity of a godfather; she revealed the contours of a community she trusts, a network she values, and a life she is intentionally building. As she and Jake Bongiovi begin their journey with their daughter, the presence of Noah Schnapp as godfather anchors that journey with a familiar face from a world that sometimes feels unreal, giving it grounding in personal history instead of only public spectacle.
In an industry defined by image and performance, the authenticity of these ties stands out. For Brown, the choice of godfather is not a publicity moment—it is a reflection of real time, real relationships, and a personal narrative of growth and transformation. For Schnapp, the role serves as affirmation of friendship and loyalty, a public acknowledgment of the bond he shares with Brown. Together, they show that even in careers defined by production schedules, stage lights and global profiles, there is room for intimacy, for family, and for the quiet decisions that matter most.
And so, as the final season of Stranger Things looms and one chapter closes, another begins. Brown moves forward as wife and mother, choosing her supports, defining her boundaries, and welcoming into her life not only a new role but a new world of possibility. That world now includes a daughter, and a godfather who stands beside her—testament to friendship that lasts, trust that deepens, and family that is chosen.
