Brooke Shields doesn't have regrets about her past, but she does reconsider some of her public admissions, including those about being a virgin. On the latest episode of her popular podcast, Now What? With Brooke Shields, she addressed her openness about her virginity, stating, "I think it was, in hindsight, a bit of a mistake for me to be so open about my virginity because it never left me alone." Shields offered this insight during a candid conversation with her friend and podcast co-host, Ali Wentworth.
Reflecting on her early career, Shields revealed these comments first came to public attention with her 1985 book, On Your Own. While the book was credited to her, Shields explained it was written by another author. "They wanted a simple, stupid book," she recalled, describing her frustration when her more nuanced input was omitted. "I like leg warmers!" was the light-hearted analogy she used to convey the publisher's focus.
Despite the initial intent to provide guidance, Shields found herself feeling uncomfortable as younger fans began reaching out for advice on relationships. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to," she reassured her audience, conveying the cornerstone of her narrative aimed at empowering young women. But discussing these weighty themes on television talk shows—particularly with older male hosts—was nerve-wracking. 'I became the most famous virgin in the world,' she stated, reflecting on the stress and scrutiny she faced at such a young age.
Through her experiences, Shields developed resilience, which she attributes to the challenges of early fame. "To be in the line of fire at such a young age...I gained resilience," she said. Yet, there lingers the bittersweet pang of regret. Shields, who waited until she was 22 to have sex with her Princeton boyfriend, Dean Cain, shared, "I have regret around [waiting], because there was a sense of joy and freedom I should have been able to feel within such a lovely relationship.”
Shields's relationship with her mother, Teri, looms large over her recollections. A complicated relationship filled with tension, primarily due to Teri’s struggle with alcoholism, influenced much of Shields’s upbringing and decisions. Teri's presence not only shaped her life but also extended to her literary works, including chapters about her virginity. Shields mentioned writing about the topic again years later, including references to her virginity and its intimate connection to her mother's expectations.
The podcast took on a lighter tone when Shields played the game 'Never Have I Ever'. When asked if she had ever caught her partner cheating, she liberated laughter as she spoke about her experience with another actor, who had left her for what he claimed were flooded conditions at his house. Shields said, "He said he had to go to L.A., because his house was flooded...a girl answered the phone,” recapping the tale with humor but hinting at past pain.
Though she never named the man, speculation surrounds her previous fiancé, Liam Neeson, who used the same excuse during their relationship. This moment encapsulates the blend of heartache and resilience Shields has endured throughout her life.
Brooke Shields’s narrative weaves together themes of resilience, empowerment, and the trials of growing up under the public eye. Despite any past regrets, she reflects on her life with acceptance, continuing to influence young women and reveal complex truths about herself proudly. It’s these candid conversations on her podcast and honest accounts of her experiences—both joyous and challenging—that resonate and inspire listeners.