A sexualised article written about a Brooke Shields when she was 12 has horrified the internet, with users claiming the writer 'should be thrown in jail'.
At the time of the article, the young Shields had already made a name for herself in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Pretty Baby and Sweet Sweet Alice.
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Shields is now reflecting on how she was sexualised during her early years of fame in a new documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields.
The article, published in High Times, is a perfect example of that.
It begins with this eyebrow raising line: "The most perfect nymphette in all creation has been found – in America. Her name is Brooke Shields. Brooke’s hair is elegant brown and clean, her skin pale and puritan, her eyes sinfully blue and her lean body just starting to curve into womanhood."
The disturbing article continues: "She’s a sultry mix of all-American virgin and nascent wh**e. She’s the hottest new young thing in movies since a smouldering pre-teen named Elizabeth Taylor stiffened up Louie Mayer’s cigar. She is only 12 years old and destined to be the sex symbol of 1964."
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"She’s a sister, daughter, sex object, victim, lover, tramp. We can look forward to watching her fill out over the next decade. Brooke Shields is not just another pretty baby, baby."
When screenshots of the article were shared to Twitter, users were left disgusted.
One stunned Twitter user commented: "Documentary on Brooke Shields is coming out soon on Disney+ and I will never not be horrified by the way so many adults sexualised a prepubescent girl. Should all be thrown in jail."
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"Whoever wrote this piece needs to be in PRISON," another posted, while a third commented: "It’s incredible that something this outlandishly disgusting could be published not all that long ago."
Shields herself has been reflecting on the sexualisation she experienced from a young age, as seen in the trailer for her Disney+ documentary.
Shields said: "The entirety of my life, it was, ‘She’s a pretty face,’ over and over and over and over and over again.
"And that always, just, seared me… I’m amazed that I survived any of it."
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Shields criticised some of the experiences she had with journalists growing up, describing one interview as 'practically criminal'.
Tyla have attempted to contact High Times for comment.
Topics: Brooke Shields, Disney Plus, Documentaries