Hollywood hotshot and one of the world’s highest-paid actors, Tom Cruise has been a staunch devotee of The Church of Scientology for decades now. Naturally, much of his perspective regarding life and the people around him stems from that deep-rooted faith in his religion.
One such viewpoint of his was related to the use of medication and the prospect of psychiatry in general, something which went against his religious beliefs. Enter Brooke Shields, a co-star and good friend of Cruise, who had to resort to medical help for her postpartum depression back in 2005.
The Top Gun star went on to publicly reprimand Sheild’s usage of antidepressants, labeling it as an “irresponsible” decision on her part, claiming that it was something completely avoidable. Now years later, the actress and model has spoken up about the incident involving Cruise, and she did not hold back.
What Went Down When Tom Cruise Publicly Slammed Brooke Shields
After the birth of her first daughter, Rowan, Brooke Shields had been struggling with post-partum depression, something that she had been vocal about time and again. In her memoir, Down Came the Rain, Sheilds, 57, narrated her experience about the same as she talked about seeing a therapist and getting on antidepressants for a speedy recovery.
Shortly after the book was published though, Tom Cruise, who had worked with the actress in the 1981 teen romance titled Endless Love, went on to criticize Sheilds for turning to psychiatric help and medication, two things that go against the beliefs of Scientology.
In an interview with Matt Lauer on The Today Show, the Days of Thunder actor stated that “there was no such thing as a chemical imbalance.” “What happens, the antidepressant, all it does is mask the problem,” Cruise said, claiming how Shields could’ve very well gotten through her illness with the help of other ways like “vitamins” and “exercise” instead.
“The thing that I’m saying about Brooke is that there’s misinformation, okay. She doesn’t understand the history of psychiatry.”
When the host asked Cruise why the prospect of antidepressants was frowned upon by him if it was helping Shields, the former simply concluded it by saying that he “disagreed” with her way of dealing with the situation. “She doesn’t know what these drugs are, and for her to promote it is irresponsible,” the Golden Globe-winning actor said.
Brooke Shields’ Response to Tom Cruise’s Sharp Censure
Following Cruise’s blatant disregard for Sheild’s plights and disapproval of her choices, The Blue Lagoon actress shot back at him through a NY Times op-ed, calling him out on his “ridiculous rant”. “If any good can come of Mr. Cruise’s ridiculous rant, let’s hope that it gives much-needed attention to a serious disease,” she wrote.
A year later though, upon learning through doctors how he’d been grossly misinformed on the harsh reality of post-partum depression, Cruise, 60, issued a public apology to Sheilds which the latter gracefully accepted. But that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten all about it.
In her new Hulu documentary, Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, the Sahara star recalled the time when the Edge of Tomorrow actor bashed her choice of wanting to manage her illness with medication and professional help. “It was so ridiculous to me,” she remarks in the Lana Wilson-helmed documentary.
“It’s not about the moral thing, or the right thing, or the good thing. It’s about who has more power.”
Shields also addresses her struggles with post-partum depression and how she overcame them in length in the documentary.
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields will arrive on Hulu in April 2023.
Source: YouTube
