"Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields": The 10 most heartbreaking revelations from the Hulu doc

As a writer for a news site, the documentary “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” caught my attention with its poignant and disturbing revelations. The Hulu doc recounts the story of Brooke Shields, a child star turned highly controversial model and actress, and the backlash that followed her career. Although it’s been more than 40 years since the release of the film “Pretty Baby,” which depicted a young Shields as a child prostitute, the documentary highlights that Shields’ public image was deliberately cultivated by her mother and agents, and she had very little control over it. Here are the 10 most heartbreaking revelations from the Hulu doc.

First, Shields’ controversial Calvin Klein jeans ad at age 15 was a turning point in her career, and it also sparked outrage from child welfare groups. Second, Shields’ mother, Teri Shields, was her primary agent and managed all aspects of her daughter’s career. Third, Shields’ teenage photo shoots for highly sexualized ads and magazines were disturbingly exploitative of her youth and innocence. Fourth, Shields’ past relationships with older men were highly scrutinized by the media, which portrayed her as a Lolita-style seductress. Fifth, Shields was often criticized for her lack of talent as an actress, despite starring in over 30 films.

Sixth, Shields’ romantic relationship with her stepdad, John Schlesinger, was a complicated and deeply disturbing element of her life. Seventh, Shields’ infamous story of losing her virginity at age 22 to actor Dean Cain was a lie manufactured by her mother to maintain interest in her daughter’s public persona. Eighth, Shields’ struggle with postpartum depression was a pivotal point for her mental health and led her to seek more control over the direction of her career. Ninth, Shields’ father was an alcoholic and was largely absent from her upbringing. Lastly, Teri Shields’ financial mismanagement contributed significantly to Brooke’s financial woes, even after her mother’s death in 2012.

Overall, the Hulu doc sheds light on the harsh reality of child stardom and the deeply disturbing ways in which young talent can be exploited by their agents and parents. It is a revealing and sobering exploration of the dark side of fame and celebrity, and a must-watch for anyone who is interested in the lives of child stars. It also highlights the importance of protecting young people in the entertainment industry and providing them with the necessary safeguards to ensure their well-being.