Brooke Shields is one of the most iconic actresses and supermodels of her generation, known for her beauty and talent. But behind her success, she faced harsh criticism \u2014 some from the people closest to her.<\/p>\n
Now 57, Shields is opening up about the challenges she faced, particularly her complicated relationship with her mother, Teri, who also acted as her manager. Teri, who struggled with alcoholism, would often body-shame her daughter, leaving lasting emotional scars. \u201cMy mother would get drunk and say: \u2018Why don\u2019t you move your fat ass?\u2019\u201d Shields recalled. \u201cI\u2019ve always believed I had a fat ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
After her mother’s passing in 2012, Shields began to heal with the support of her husband, screenwriter Chris Henchy. \u201cHe really celebrated my womanliness and my body,\u201d she shared. This support helped her overcome years of self-doubt rooted in early criticism.<\/p>\n
Despite being seen as a beauty icon \u2014 from her Calvin Klein ads at 15 to Hollywood roles \u2014 Shields admits she struggled with body image. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I had a swimsuit body,\u201d she said, even when modeling swimwear. \u201cI was always described as \u2018athletic,\u2019 not a runway model.\u201d<\/p>\n
She recently embraced another swimsuit campaign, committing to feeling and looking her best \u2014 though she admits, \u201cI was also hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shields has also revealed for the first time that she was sexually assaulted by a Hollywood executive shortly after graduating from Princeton. At the time, she blamed herself and stayed silent, fearing her story wouldn\u2019t be believed. \u201cI didn\u2019t fight. I just froze.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her experience is detailed in the upcoming documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields<\/em>. Now, she\u2019s speaking out to help others feel less alone. \u201cEverybody processes trauma differently. I want to be an advocate for women to speak their truth.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brooke Shields is one of the most iconic actresses and supermodels of her generation, known for her beauty and talent. But behind her success, she faced harsh criticism \u2014 some from the people closest to her. Now 57, Shields is opening up about the challenges she faced, particularly her complicated relationship with her mother, Teri,…<\/p>\n