For 56 of her 57 years, Brooke Shields has been in show business. TV, movies, modeling, she’s done it all. Without question, her career is impressive, but it hasn’t been without controversy or scandal. Brooke’s’ latest film is a documentary she’s made about growing up as a Hollywood star. What’s surprising, though, is it’s no sugar coated biopic, It’s a brutally honest account of her life, revealing her darkest and most traumatic secrets. The makeup artist and hairdresser can fuss all they like. The fact is they’re hardly needed because the camera loves Brook Shields any way she looks. And for this iconic model and actor, that’s the way it’s seen for more than 5 decades.
Today, at 57 Brookes is in demand, as ever. Film and TV offers pouring in, but there’s only one story she really wants to tell. her own.
Famous people often write books explaining their lives, but Brooke’s tells all comes with pictures. She’s made a feature link documentary called Pretty Baby in recognition of the first major film she starred in. Like all good movies, it’s a gripping tale, which is not surprising for someone who spent her entire life in the spotlight.
Early on, the story of Brooke Shields was also the story of her controversial mother and manager.
Terry Shields. As infamous as her daughter was, Terry was willing to be the pushy stage mum who rarely said no to signing Brooke Up for Jobs.
And the world did. It was the 1970’s, and Brooke was fast becoming one of the most recognized children on the planet. But it was also obvious that the line between art and exploitation was uncomfortably fuzzy.
As unthinkable as Terry Shields words might sound now, Brooke wants us to remember it was a very different time. And in 1977, she was cast in her first major role In the movie, Pretty Baby,and she was thrilled.
The critics though weren’t so sure. Being cast as a prostitute at a young age was one thing, but the film also required a very delicate scene with a much older love interest. Brooke had no choice but to grow up quickly.
But was her next blockbuster movie art? Some called this Softporn, Back in 1980, though, few people seemed to care. It was bordering on creepy, but Hollywood’s money men knew they’d make millions by promoting Blue Lagoon as Brooke’s sexual awakening.
Blue lagoon proved the old slogan, 6 cells. It was enough for fashion designer Calvin Klein to make the then sixteen year old Brooke, the face of his jeans campaign. In an advertising blitz around the world, Brooke was seductive and suggestive. And sales of Calvin Klein Jeans sky rocketed by 300%.
Brooke knew what she was doing was controversial, more importantly for her though, it was paying the bills.
At home, Terry Shields kept pushing Brooke to work, and she was happy to oblige. Mother and daughter were a formidable duo, but too much success was a curse for Terry. She battled an addiction to alcohol, which became so serious, Brooke was forced to take on another job, a carer.
As if looking after her mother wasn’t hard enough, Brooke also had to face an awful personal crisis. A shocking sexual abuse, she kept secret for years. but no longer. Today walking the streets of New York where she was born and raised Brooke Shields, oozes confidence and strength, and why not?
She very nearly did though. When Brooke was in her twenties and desperate for her next starring role, she came face to face with Hollywood Evil. A high profile movie executive, someone she trusted, invited her to dinner. Brooke thought it was to discuss a film project but his plans were much more sinister.
It’s a trauma that’s difficult to articulate. And only now, after holding on to this awful secret for 3 decades, can Brooke bring herself to confront the horror of being raped that night.
As horrible as it was. The attack made Brooke even more determined to forget ahead in her career. On Broadway, or in a movies.
These days, Brooke is happily married to screenwriter Chris Henshey. And as her new documentary reveals, Life in their Greenwich Village home is just about perfect. Perhaps the greatest challenge comes from the curiosity of her teenage daughters, nineteen year old Rowan and sixteen year old Grier. are clearly proud of their mom. But also somewhat confused. Maybe even shocked about her early movie roles.
Most people who’ve worked for 56 years might have thought of retirement, but not Brooke Shields. And happily for her millions of fans, her story doesn’t end with the leading lady walking off into the sunset.
Source: 60 Minutes Australia
