Brooke Shields’ documentary “Pretty Baby” made waves at the Sundance Film Festival, and it’s not just because of the film’s content. Shields’ newest film takes viewers on a journey through her life in the entertainment industry, starting with her rise as a child model and leading up to her roles in films like “Pretty Baby” and “The Blue Lagoon”. But what has really captured audiences’ attention is the revelation that Shields was sexually assaulted by a powerful Hollywood executive in her 20s. In a recent interview with People magazine, Shields opened up about her experience, revealing that she had never gone public with the assault until now because she thought no one would believe her.
She also shared how the assault had affected her, saying: “It’s taken me a long time to process it. I’m more angry now than I was able to be then.” Shields added that she blamed herself for the assault afterward, saying “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.'”
The assault took place at a business dinner when Shields was a recent graduate of Princeton University. The unnamed Hollywood executive had invited her to his hotel room, where he proceeded to assault her. Shields said that she froze during the assault and blamed herself afterward. “It was really easy to disassociate because by then it was old hat,” she recalled. “And because it was a fight-or-flight type of choice. Fight was not an option, so you just leave your body. ‘You’re not there. It didn’t happen.'”
Shields hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who may have experienced similar situations. She wants to encourage people to come forward and seek help, saying “If you’re afraid, you’re rightfully so. They are scary situations. They don’t have to be violent to be scary.”
The two-part documentary, directed by Lana Wilson, has been called “fascinating” and “accomplished” by Variety. In the film, Shields shares her earliest experiences in Hollywood, including her rise as a child advertising model and her sexualization in movies starting at age 12 in “Pretty Baby.” “Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby” is set to debut on Hulu on April 3.
As Shields continues to share her story, she hopes to raise awareness and encourage others to speak out against sexual assault. “I thought I would never work again,” Shields said. “But I’m still here. I’m still working. And I want people to know that they can be, too.”