I was ‘the face’ of the 80s – now men are offended I’m 59 but there’s more to me than sex appeal, says Brooke Shields
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IF anybody understands Hollywood's obsession with sex appeal, it's famous American actress Brooke Shields. Shields is all-too-familiar with the industry, starting out as a child model at just 11-months-old. She later garnered widespread notoriety for appearing in nude shots for Louis Malle's film Pretty Baby when she was just 11.
![[Brooke Shields in a floral shirt and khaki pants.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PM88JGjpg-JS963486365.jpg?strip=all&w=641)
Brooke said the first time her revelation hit her was in her home of New York, as she walked down the street with her daughters, Rowan (21) and Grier (18). Brooke said it was "impossible" not to notice admiring looks from people on the street - but to her surprise, they weren't aimed at her.
![[Brooke Shields in a blue swimsuit on a boat.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PM88JNjpg-JS963486360.jpg?strip=all&w=647)
As she processed her feelings (a mix of "protectiveness, pride and melancholy"), Brooke started to wonder if her time as an iconic pin-up girl was up. But this feeling kick-started her journey to finding her real identity and realisation that she doesn't exist to make men feel "virile".
![[Brooke Shields at the Giorgio Armani fashion show.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GiorgioArmaniRTWSpring2025-Arrivals-JS962603669.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Over the years, Brooke has faced ageist comments from casting producers, agents and even dermatologists. All have been quick to pick out the "flaws" of her ageing skin and body. But she recalls one particular encounter that stood out to her amongst the rest - where she felt she had "offended" a man by revealing her age.
![[Brooke Shields roller skating.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HXKKPPjpg-JS963486361.jpg?strip=all&w=642)
Attending a friend-of-a-friend's event, Brooke had struck up a conversation with the newly-divorced male host. The acquaintance offered to show Brooke his extensive vintage wine collection, before making a quip about the year he was born. He joked about his own vintage, being born in 1972.
![[Brooke Shields at the Yellowstone Season 5 premiere.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jn103199-JS962603602.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
