This is my truth
YOU South Africa|9 February 2023
Actress Brooke Shields opens up about being sexualised as a child star and raped in her 20’s in a new hard-hitting
This is my truth

SHE played a child sex worker at the age of 11 and romped naked on a tropical island at 14. A year later she posed provocatively in a jeans ad and uttered the line that helped cement her status as one of the hottest young things in Hollywood: “Do you know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”

Back then the world was a different place and sexualising kids had few taboos – and Brooke Shields was probably the most exploited of all.

Now, at the age of 57, her early years in the spotlight is the subject of the hard-hitting documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, named after the 1978 movie co-starring Susan Sarandon and Keith Carradine in which Brooke plays a sex worker.

The film examines how Tinseltown and the fashion world cashed in on her sultry looks and talent and how it affected her life. Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields premiered at the recent Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim – and Brooke was there, looking striking in a black cashmere dress, bomber jacket and cowboy boots.

The film, set to air on streaming service Hulu later this year, delves into her role in Pretty Baby; her teensploitation movies such as 1980’s Blue Lagoon and 1981’s Endless Love; her nude-photo scandals; and her complicated relationship with her late mother and former manager, Teri.

Friends of Brooke’s such as fellow former child star Drew Barrymore, actor Judd Nelson and singer Lionel Richie along with experts also discuss the toxic nature of the entertainment business, which allowed young girls such as Brooke to be hypersexualised.

Brooke, who starred in a soap advert when she was just 11 months old, was pushed to be a breadwinner to take care of herself and her mom, who suffered from alcoholism.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView all
ONE OF A KIND
YOU South Africa

ONE OF A KIND

She survived a violent stepfather and being raped by a bandmate as well as rampant showbiz sexism. Now as singer Cyndi Lauper heads off on her farewell tour aged 71, she just wants to have fun

time-read
10+ mins  |
20 February 2025
TRUE TO HIS ROOTS
YOU South Africa

TRUE TO HIS ROOTS

Rap icon Kendrick Lamar's recent Grammy haul has cemented his status as the king of hip-hop

time-read
4 mins  |
20 February 2025
RYAN'S ON A ROLLI
YOU South Africa

RYAN'S ON A ROLLI

Ryan Rickelton has taken the cricket scene by storm, announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
PARALYMPICS, HERE I COME!
YOU South Africa

PARALYMPICS, HERE I COME!

He lost his left leg as a baby, but these days Nicklaas is a star on the athletics field and he's got big dreams

time-read
4 mins  |
20 February 2025
KEKE'S KICKING IT!
YOU South Africa

KEKE'S KICKING IT!

From child star to Hollywood powerhouse - Keke Palmer shines as an actress, podcast host and film producer

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
NEXT CHAPTER LOADING
YOU South Africa

NEXT CHAPTER LOADING

Werner Wessels, the creative force behind many Miss SA winners, is stepping away from pageants to embrace new opportunities

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
BABY SHAME GAME
YOU South Africa

BABY SHAME GAME

Lily Collins got a lot more than she bargained for when she announced she'd become a mom via a surrogate

time-read
3 mins  |
20 February 2025
BRIDGET'S BACK!
YOU South Africa

BRIDGET'S BACK!

Renée Zellweger returns for the fourth and possibly final outing of Helen Fielding's ditsy cult heroine, a role she has relished from day one

time-read
6 mins  |
20 February 2025
I CAN BREATHE AGAIN'
YOU South Africa

I CAN BREATHE AGAIN'

After months of legal hell, two aneurysms and brain surgery, Alison Botha is relieved that her attackers are back behind bars and she can focus on getting better

time-read
5 mins  |
20 February 2025
SA IN TRUMP'S SIGHTS
YOU South Africa

SA IN TRUMP'S SIGHTS

With Elon Musk whispering in his ear the US president has unleashed his wrath on South Africa. But how worried should we be?

time-read
7 mins  |
20 February 2025