Brooke Shields Responds to Critic Who Told Her, 'I Really Wish You Looked the Way You Used To'

Mar. 15, 2025

Brooke Shields.Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Brooke Shieldsis responding to critics of her appearance.

Shields, who is promoting her latest bookBrooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, also reflected on the societal pressures women face.

“The beauty industry wants us to chase youth, we look at regrets — what if, what if,” she said. “And I think it’s important to understand where you’ve been, but I think it’s really joyous to say, ‘I may not know where I’m going but I’m here.’”

The star explained that while she wants to “look my best and I want to be healthy,” she’s not so focused on anti-aging measures. “I’ve earned everything that I have on my face,” Shields said. “And I think it’s important to pat yourself on your back and say, ‘What do you want to do now?”

Brooke SHields Forbes and Mika Brzezinski 50 Over 50 Celebration in New York City, Oct. 2024.Taylor Hill/Getty

Taylor Hill/Getty

In Shields' book, out Jan. 14, the star speaks candidly about topics like sex and motherhood. In one particularly shocking excerpt shared with PEOPLE, from the chapter titled “No Longer The Punching Bag: A Plea for Self-Advocacy”, the actress discusses the moment she discovered amedical procedure she didn’t consent to.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!After having a labial reduction procedure to reduce pain, Shields' doctor revealed he had also given her a vaginal rejuvenation without discussing it with her prior.

She writes: “I was horrified, but also at a loss. I didn’t want to sue this man — or maybe I did want to, but I didn’t feel I could — because I didn’t particularly want talk of my lady parts, once again, on the front page of every paper.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Shields also says that if the same thing happened to her today, she would have a very different reaction.

“My sentiment is basically a giant middle finger. F— that guy!” she continues. “He had no right to do what he did, and if it happened to me now, I would make my own blaring headline and blast it everywhere. That’s what this age feels like to me, and I like it so much better.”

source: people.com