At just 11 years old, she was cast in the 1978 film “Pretty Baby,” playing a child raised in a brothel whose virginity is auctioned off. The cameras captured nude and semi-nude scenes of her, sparking outrage that followed her for decades.
This is one of the best documentaries on the intersection of childhood stardom, celebrity obsession, and survival in the spotlight.
Trailer for “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- At age 15, Brooke filmed the infamous Calvin Klein jeans ad where she said: “You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” It cemented her as a lightning rod for criticism about sexualizing minors.
- Brooke opens up about postpartum depression. She says it blindsided her. And making matters worse, she faced public ridicule when Tom Cruise criticized her for taking antidepressants.
Watch “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields”
You can watch “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” on Hulu.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 88/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 88/100 (Users); 87/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Lana Wilson (who also made “Miss Americana” about Taylor Swift), the series blends archival footage, Calvin Klein commercials, and raw sit-downs with Brooke herself. Wilson gives Shields the mic to tell her own story—something she rarely got to do as a child star.
Release Date: April 3, 2023 (Hulu)
My Review of “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields”
The Setup
This is a two-part docuseries that starts with Brooke’s childhood roles and tracks the chaos of being famous before she was even a teenager. We see Teri Shields guiding every move, from putting Brooke in controversial films to parlaying the backlash into more publicity. The documentary then pivots to Brooke’s adulthood: her Princeton education, her fight to control her image, her struggles with postpartum depression, and her second act as a voice for women reclaiming their stories.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Brooke recalls the chaos of press tours where reporters openly sexualized her in front of her mom.
- She describes how, after years of playing “sexy teen” roles, she was typecast and struggled to find serious acting work.
- The documentary covers her friendship with Michael Jackson, including how their relationship was spun by tabloids.
- Her return to Broadway is shown as part of her process of reclaiming her career on her own terms.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Brooke reveals that she didn’t watch “Pretty Baby” until decades later. It was with her two daughters, whom she wanted to see the truth of her childhood.
- She credits therapy and antidepressants as critical in overcoming postpartum depression, despite being criticized by public figures.
- Behind the scenes, she kept journals from her teenage years, which she reads from in the series. They show just how aware she was of her own exploitation even as a kid.
Wrap Up:
“Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” is tough to watch but necessary. If you want a raw, unflinching look at how Hollywood—and even family—can commodify a child, this one’s worth every minute.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc