Brooke Shields recounts Tom Cruise's private apology
Almost 20 years ago, actress Brooke Shields confessed that she suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth and was taking medication to help manage it. Tom Cruise publicly criticized her for this, suggesting that vitamins were the best solution.
Brooke Shields became famous as a teenager, having roles in movies like "The Blue Lagoon" and "Pretty Baby," which changed her life forever. Years later, she began to reveal how she was sexualized by the film industry and the media, the harm that was done to her, and what she experienced in her personal life. Almost 20 years ago, the actress published a book titled "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression," where she disclosed that she needed psychiatric help after the birth of her first daughter, Rowan. Tom Cruise decided to comment on her case in front of cameras and millions of viewers.
Brooke Shields on Tom Cruise's apology
In her new book, "Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman," Brooke Shields discusses the apology she received from Tom Cruise. The actor apologized for his controversial statements about postpartum depression, which he made in 2005 during an interview on the "Today" show.
During the interview with Matt Lauer, Cruise criticized Shields for taking medication for postpartum depression, claiming that "they treat nothing." He stated that the actress knew nothing about psychiatry, called the drugs a form of narcotics, and added that instead of taking them, she should take vitamins and exercise, which aligned with his Scientological beliefs.
Shields responded to these comments by writing an article for "The New York Times," where she emphasized that Cruise did not understand the issue of postpartum depression.
Years later, in her book, Shields acknowledges that Cruise personally apologized to her, although not publicly. The actor visited her at home, explaining that he felt cornered during the interview and attacked her because he could. Shields accepted the apology, though it was not perfect. She highlights that Cruise's comments were hurtful to mothers struggling with postpartum depression. The actress points out that his remarks were "uninformed" and could have harmed women needing support.
In her book, Shields explains that she might have ignored these comments if she were not a mother. However, she decided to stand up for herself and other women who encounter similar irresponsible opinions.
