Brooke Shields is reflecting on her infamous clash with Tom Cruise over postpartum depression and the private apology that followed. In her newly released memoir, Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old, the 59-year-old actress candidly addresses the controversy stemming from Cruise’s 2005 criticism of her use of antidepressants, detailed in her earlier memoir, Down Came the Rain.
Cruise, who labeled antidepressants as unnecessary and criticized Shields for using them to treat postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Rowan, sparked outrage at the time. Shields recalls feeling blindsided by his comments. “I was, according to Tom, spreading misinformation,” she writes in her memoir, adding a sharp retort: “An interesting opinion, coming from someone without ovaries.”
Unwilling to let the remarks go unanswered, Shields penned an op-ed for The New York Times, defending herself and advocating for women dealing with similar struggles. “I was sticking up for myself, and for women who were suffering, against irrational and dangerous comments from an unschooled actor,” she writes.
The actress’s response brought postpartum depression into the spotlight, but it also led to significant backlash against Cruise. Shields now reveals that the Mission: Impossible star later apologized privately for his remarks, according to US Weekly.
“It wasn’t the world’s best apology, but it’s what he was capable of, and I accepted it,” Shields shares, noting the apology occurred during a visit to her home.
Though Cruise never addressed the incident publicly, Shields appears to have moved past the controversy. Her memoir not only revisits this chapter of her life but also sheds light on her broader experiences navigating the challenges of motherhood, mental health, and a high-profile career.
The fallout between Shields and Cruise served as a pivotal moment in the conversation about postpartum depression, bringing awareness to a condition that affects many women worldwide. While Cruise’s apology remained private, Shields’s decision to speak out has continued to resonate with those who face similar challenges.