*The following article contains discussion of sexual assault.
Brooke Shields is getting ready for the release of her two-part documentary Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby, which is set to premiere April 3 on Hulu. In the documentary, she opens up about her crazy, unique life as well as some of her earlier roles in movies such as Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon that sexualized the young star.
The model and actor told People:
"Doing the documentary, you see it all together, and it's a miracle that I survived."
Shields shared in the documentary she was sexually assaulted by a Hollywood executive 30 years ago but was afraid to say anything.
"No one is going to believe me. People weren't believing those stories back then."
"I thought I would never work again."
She continued, elaborating on processing the assault that took place while the actress was in her 20s - the time between graduating from Princeton University and finding work which she called the "lowest point of my career."
"It's taken me a long time to process it."
"I'm more angry now than I was able to be then. If you're afraid, you're rightfully so."
"They are scary situations. They don't have to be violent to be scary."
Shields explained she was at dinner with the executive under the impression she was "getting a movie, a job." He said she could call a cab from his hotel room to get home after the meal, and once in the room, he assaulted her.
She said:
"I didn't fight. I just froze."
Shields recalled she placed blame on herself after the assault.
"I kept saying, 'I shouldn't have done that. Why did I go up with him? I shouldn't have had that drink at dinner.'"
She also recounted:
"It was really easy to disassociate because by then it was old hat. And because it was a fight-or-fight type of choice."
"Fight was not an option, so you just leave your body. 'You're not there. It didn't happen.'"
Shields shared that disassociation from the incident wasn't new territory for her.
"I'd always had a sense of disassociation from my body. From my sexuality."
"I was mostly a cover girl, so it's all here [speaking of her face]."
"And it was just easier to shut myself off. I was good at it."
People on social media applauded Shields' bravery for finally speaking out, even if it took her three decades.
Many wish she would call out the executive, as well.
Shields hopes sharing her experience will help others who went through similar trauma "not feel alone."
"Everybody processes their own trauma on a different timeline. I want to be an advocate for women to be able to speak their truth."
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If you or someone you know experienced sexual assault, help is out there.
You can reach the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 1-800-656-4673, use their Live Chat tool: https://www.rainn.org/get-help, or visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website.
In Canada, help is available through the Ending Violence Association of Canada website.
International resources can be found through the Rape Crisis Network Europewebsite.
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