Brooke Shields: Being a Pretty Baby as a Kid Was a ‘Burden and a Responsibility’

In this exclusive AARP interview, actress Brooke Shields, shares how facing setbacks with optimism helped her overcome a difficult childhood and learn to love herself.

As someone who was sexualized as a child star, Shields reflects on the negative consequences of beauty. She rose to prominence at age 12 in Louis Malle’s 1978 film, “Pretty Baby,” and went on to star in “The Blue Lagoon” (1980), “Endless Love” (1981) and a series of controversial Calvin Klein ads as a teen. Later she had a guest role on “Friends,” starred in the NBC sitcoms “Suddenly Susan” and “Lipstick Jungle,” and had a recurring role on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Now 58 and a mother of two daughters, Shields says she’s more confident and in touch with herself than ever. She found empowerment in the making of her 2023 Hulu documentary, “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields.” She is writing a book and launching a website to help people embrace aging. Shields is also starring in the Netflix movie “Mother of the Bride,” with Miranda Cosgrove, Chad Michael Murray and Benjamin Bratt, releasing in May 2024.

Shields is featured on the cover of the April/May 2024 issue of “AARP The Magazine.”
For her full “AARP The Magazine” cover story, click here:
https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/info-2024/brooke-shields-interview.html

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*CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction: staying positive
00:14 Brooke Shields: "Beauty was a burden"
00:31 Brooke Shields Calvin Klein advertisement
00:41 Brooke Shields 'Pretty Baby' 2023 documentary
00:58 LHL: What would shock your teenage self?
01:14 Brook Shields writing book on aging and starring in 'Mother of the Bride'
01:39 Brooke Shields: "I feel more in touch with my power"

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people ages 50 and older to improve their quality of life as they age. With over 38 million members and growing, we lead positive social change through our extensive product offerings and services.