Brooke Shields says it’s a ‘miracle’ she ‘survived’ sexual assault in her 20s
‘I’m more angry now than I was able to be then,’ actor said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Brooke Shields reveals she was sexually assaulted in her 20s in her upcoming documentary Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby.
Shields alleges she was assaulted by an unnamed Hollywood executive but never came forward to accuse the man.
“[I thought] no one is going to believe me,” she told People ahead of the documentary’s premiere on Hulu. “People weren’t believing those stories back then. I thought I would never work again.”
The two-part film will focus on the actor’s rise as a child star and the sexualisation she was subject to aged 15 in 1980’s The Blue Lagoon.
“Doing the documentary, you see it all together, and it’s a miracle that I survived,” the 57-year-old added.
Karen Elson leads support for Meg White after drumming criticism: ‘Keep my ex-husband’s ex-wife name out your mouth’
Hugh Grant accused of ‘obnoxious’ behaviour to Ashley Graham during ‘disaster’ Oscars red carpet interview
‘My voice will haunt you’: The story behind Fleetwood Mac’s blistering 1997 ‘Silver Springs’ performance
“It’s taken me a long time to process it,” she said of her alleged assault. “I’m more angry now than I was able to be then. If you’re afraid, you’re rightfully so. They are scary situations. They don’t have to be violent to be scary.”
Shields had just graduated from Princeton University and was experiencing a low point in her career when a Hollywood executive invited her to dinner.
The executive later assaulted her in his hotel room, she said.
Shields added that she blamed herself for the incident: “I kept saying, ‘I shouldn’t have done that. Why did I go up with him? I shouldn’t have had that drink at dinner.’”
In a previous interview, Shields revealed that she later wrote to her attacker, but he dismissed the assault.
Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby is out 4 April on Hulu and Disney+.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here.