Brooke Shields Unveils Empowering Truths for Women in Her Inspiring Memoir

LEILA FADEL, BYLINE: Perhaps you remember Brooke Shields as the face of Calvin Klein Jeans, the incorrectly portrayed child in “Pretty Baby,” or the humorous lead in the sitcom “Suddenly Susan.”

BROOKE SHIELDS: Individuals expect you to remain the way they recall you when you were significant to them in another capacity, whether they enjoyed your film or cherished your television series or had your photo displayed or something that holds personal meaning for them.

FADEL: Yet today, Brooke Shields is a mature woman, and at 59 years old, she has released a book regarding this new phase in her life. It is named “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old,” inspired by a remark made at a social gathering when she disclosed her age to the evening’s host.

SHIELDS: The atmosphere shifted immediately.

FADEL: In what manner?

SHIELDS: They remarked, oh, I wish you hadn’t said that. I was like, you wish I hadn’t said what, like, told you my age?

FADEL: She asserts that she will not allow society to render her invisible due to the audacity of aging. As a business executive and performer today, she conveys a message to women of all ages. And just so you’re aware, there is some censored profanity in this dialogue.

SHIELDS: I mean, I have two young women daughters, ages 18 and 21.

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: And, you know, I joke about it like, my knees are almost at my ankles, you know, at this stage. And everything on them is like, elevated and firm and youthful and you know, and you’re just like, gosh. Wow. And then, you know, you get a look at yourself in the mirror, and you’re like, oh, dear. Alright. And you have to be cautious not to let that become so negative in your life that you begin to feel inferior.

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: And I don’t just want to appear fabulous for 59. I simply want to look great because I feel great and because I had my roots done yesterday. I think that’s a healthy way to nurture one’s self-esteem, you know?

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: Engage in the activities that make you feel the best about yourself. But also acknowledge that I don’t want to resemble my daughters. I’ve evolved into this individual, this physique, this visage, and this entire person has accomplished a lot and observed a lot and endured a lot and thrived through much, and my expression has become clearer.

FADEL: There’s a statement that resonated with me. You write, “who knew in a profession where I commenced as a prostitute at age 11, where I portrayed a mother at age 15, that valuing myself at 59 would be my most provocative decision?”

SHIELDS: You know, to have lasted this long in my field is certainly not the standard. But when you observe how people respond to me, there has been controversy surrounding me since a very, very young age.

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: However, this resilience began when I attended college because acquiring an education empowered me, and that was not well-received by the media since they couldn’t dominate me as they used to. Now, at this age, there is more of me to handle because I no longer carry the same level of insecurities that I once did. I don’t yield so effortlessly, and I don’t apologize.

FADEL: I mean, you entered Hollywood at the age of 11. You faced scrutiny from the media regarding whether your mother was doing well, along with questions about your measurements. You have experienced sexual assault. First off, do you believe people just presume you’ve led a beautiful, charmed existence because you are attractive and in the public eye?

SHIELDS: I think we do that to individuals and actresses and models, and it is part of what we project. You know, it’s part of our role to create fantasies. People wish to escape into that and they want to dream. However, I also think my challenges or struggles occurred on a broader platform simply because they were observed by others. If we truly reflect on how difficult it is just to reach this age, I believe we would be taken aback by how much we have all endured.

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: I emphasize mine just to state, come on, everyone, you’ve all endured [expletive] as well.

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: It’s neither worse nor better. I think that when we start standardizing how challenging it is to just be a woman and navigate everything and reach this point, then I believe we’ll begin to commend ourselves a bit more and recognize, hey, that’s pretty impressive. It’s cool. Look at what you’ve survived, you know? Observe how you’ve chosen not to be a victim.

FADEL: Do you ever regret not having been angrier or more assertive during certain instances? I mean, considering a specific moment you mentioned where you went in for a medical procedure, and you emerged, and the male surgeon said, I also provided you with a rejuvenation that you didn’t request while you were…

SHIELDS: Under.

FADEL: …Unconscious. What is that? And you never pursued any legal action against him. You didn’t seem to take action against him.

SHIELDS: I didn’t. I think I…

FADEL: It’s a morning show. I’m not sure whether we should discuss female anatomy on a morning show, but it’s a…

SHIELDS: I’m not certain, but I can mention labia. But, you know, it’s the big, taboo word. I think I wasn’t strong enough. I didn’t feel secure enough in my profession…

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: …For it to be about my anatomy yet again, you know?

FADEL: Yes.

SHIELDS: And I just didn’t want it discussed again. Like, I finally felt like I had moved past being labeled by my virginity, you know?

FADEL: Correct.

SHIELDS: I’m unsure whether it’s about anger. I think it was my shock, and my disappointment was so intense, but it felt so familiar. It just felt like, oh, here we go again. This is what’s going to unfold once more. You know, I don’t understand why you believe it will be different, Brooke. That was something I had to gradually embrace to state, like, this is [expletive]. Like, if I have a seizure, it’s not because I was anxious about my sodium intake for dietary reasons. You wouldn’t pose that question to a man.

FADEL: Which is what occurred with you. You had a seizure, and someone was…

SHIELDS: Yes.

FADEL: …Like, oh, are you attempting to lose weight? Is that the reason for this incident?

SHIELDS: Yes. And they likely would have asked a man, oh, are you training for a triathlon, and you didn’t…

FADEL: Correct.

SHIELDS: …Consume electrolytes because you’re an ironman? No, they asked me about my dietary limitations.

FADEL: What would 59-year-old Brooke Shields impart to 11-year-old Brooke Shields if you could today say something to her?

SHIELDS: I would say you are going to be just fine. You will be okay, and you as you are are sufficient. You are enough as a person.

FADEL: Brooke Shields. Her latest book is “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old: Thoughts On Aging As A Woman.” Thank you very much.

SHIELDS: Thank you so much. I value your time.

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