In her new book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, the actress reveals a backhanded compliment from her ex-husband, tennis legend Andre Agassi, regarding her weight. Shields, now 56, reflects on how the constant scrutiny of Hollywood impacted her body image. She recounts being told she wasn’t “runway worthy” due to not being thin enough, leading to insecurities about her appearance.
Shields confided in Agassi, whom she married in 1997, about her body image concerns, hoping for reassurance. However, his response was not what she expected. When she asked, “Will you still love me if I’m big and fat?” referring to potential weight gain during pregnancy, Agassi replied, “‘I love you too much to let you get big and fat!’”
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Shields admits this comment “made her spin a bit,” acknowledging the complexities of their relationship, which ended in divorce in 1999. While Agassi often told her he wished she could see herself through his eyes, his response to her weight concern revealed a different perspective.
The book delves into Shields’ struggles with body image, stemming from the pressures of being a public figure constantly judged on her appearance. She shares how being labeled “the face” made her feel reduced to her physical attributes, creating a disconnect between her perceived public image and her personal feelings about her body.
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Furthermore, Shields reveals a poignant statement Agassi made during their divorce: “‘Be thankful we didn’t have children…because I would not have made this easy for you.’ ” This comment solidified her belief that their relationship would have been detrimental if they had children. She emphasizes the relief she feels knowing they didn’t have children together, considering the challenging dynamics of their relationship. Shields, now married to Chris Henchy, and a mother of two daughters, Rowan and Grier, is sharing her personal experiences in her new memoir, offering insights into her life and past relationships.
