Key Takeaways:

• Brooke Shields addresses Tom Cruise's 2005 criticism of her antidepressant use in her memoir.
• Shields emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and openly discussing mental health issues.
• Tom Cruise later apologized to Shields privately, but not publicly as many believed he should have.
• The controversy sparked Shields to become an advocate for postpartum depression awareness.

In a reflective moment nearly twenty years after Tom Cruise's controversial remarks about her mental health, Brooke Shields candidly addresses the incident in her revealing memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman. The actress recounts Cruise's 2005 interview with Matt Lauer, where he lambasted her for using antidepressants to manage her postpartum depression, calling her claims a spread of “misinformation” while asserting that “there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.” According to Shields, his assertions were particularly notable given that he was commenting on a topic in which he had limited personal experience, stating, “An interesting opinion, coming from someone without ovaries” (HuffPost).

Describing herself as “gobsmacked” by the public tirade, Shields noted how it provoked a powerful response from her at a time when she was on a journey of motherhood and facing mental health challenges. She recalls that she had been attempting to shed light on her experiences with postpartum depression in her memoir Down Came the Rain, hoping to help others feel validated rather than inadequate(USA Today).

Following the incident, Shields took a stand by penning an op-ed for The New York Times, denouncing Cruise's comments as a disservice to mothers everywhere. Reflecting on the evolution of her thoughts over the years, she explained how the public attack unexpectedly fueled her self-assurance and advocacy for mental health awareness.

Shields recounts that Cruise eventually visited her to apologize in private, expressing regret for his remarks and claiming he felt cornered by the situation at the time. Though she described his apology as “not the world’s best apology,” she appreciated the effort, acknowledging, “It wasn’t the world’s best apology, but it’s what he was capable of, and I accepted it.” Despite the hurtful comments, Shields recognizes that this public conflict led to positive outcomes, particularly her eventual testimony before Congress in support of The Mothers Act, aimed at improving postpartum depression resources and awareness.

Shields’ memoir not only delves into this incident but also encourages women to embrace their aging processes, advocating for open conversations around women's health issues like menopause and self-advocacy in medical settings. Her journey of resilience demonstrates the importance of speaking out and standing firm in the face of adversity. As she puts it, “His ignorance on the issue inspired women to get on their pedestals and scream for their rights and their bodies.”

For more details, check the articles on HuffPost and USA Today.