Brooke Shields grew up in the limelight — and felt the intense scrutiny at a young age — so having her daughter become a reality TV star wasn’t exactly a dream come true.
“I’ve probably [been] a reality TV person in my life for my whole life,” Shields, 60, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her all-new mystery series, You’re Killing Me, on Acorn TV.
Shields noted that the public had “that kind of access to me” as a child actress and model, so the idea of being followed by a camera on reality TV has “always been part of my unfortunate world.” (Shields landed her first gig at just 11 months old, making her debut in a commercial for Ivory Soap.)
Fans now having that much access to her daughter Rowan Francis Henchy, who is a new cast member for season 2 of Next Gen NYC, was honestly alarming for Shields in some ways.
Brooke Shields and Rowan Henchy. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
“I was very hesitant, I was very worried, I was very concerned,” Shields confessed, noting that she very much trusts her daughter and knows Rowan, 23, has a good head on her shoulders.
Shields recalled her advice for Rowan, telling her eldest child, “You’re an adult, I can’t tell you what to do, but what I can tell you is, do not make this the end of your career, make it the beginning.” (Shields shares Rowan and daughter Grier Hammond Henchy, 20, with husband Chris Henchy.)
The Blue Lagoon star did offer some words of wisdom, advising Rowan to “find a way to parlay this” into something more than just a stint on reality TV.
Brooke Shields is an accomplished actress, model and author, but her most beloved gig is being a mom. The Suddenly Susan alum shares daughters Rowan (born in May 2003) and Grier (born in April 2006) with husband Chris Henchy, whom she married in 2001. Though the New York native often shares joyful updates about the […]
Shields told her daughter to be “something and somebody that makes sense to networks and makes sense to entertainment,” explaining that entertainment and broadcast journalism is the “world” Rowan “wants to go into.”
The actress also warned Rowan that “you can ruin” your future and career with “one bad behavior night.”
While fans will get to see Shields in a cameo for season 2 of Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, which premieres on June 24, Rowan is the one who will be front and center alongside OG stars Ariana Biermann, Riley Burruss, Emira D’Spain, Brooks Marks, Ava Dash, Gia Giudice, Georgia McCann, Charlie Zakkour, Shai Fruchter and Hudson McLeroy.
Rowan Henchy. Bronson Farr/Bravo
Rowan won’t be the only newcomer on the show, which follows 20-somethings living in the Big Apple, Liam Obergfall and Kendall White are also joining the cast.
Although Shields wasn’t totally on board with the idea of Rowan being a reality TV star, she did jump at the chance to work with her in an acting role. Rowan made a special cameo on Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart earlier this year.
“Sometimes the best tip is to just get out of their way,” Shields exclusively told Us in February, noting Rowan had “done plays in college” but acting on screen was new.
Brooke Shields’ daughters Rowan and Grier Henchy have paid tribute to their mom on her 60th birthday. “Happy birthday to my role model, partner in crime, and best friend. Thank you for always being my rock,” Rowan, 22, wrote via her Instagram Story on Saturday, May 31. Rowan shared multiple family photos in honor of […]
On the show, Shields reprised her role as Charlotte Thornton, while Rowan appeared in the final scene, sitting next to her mother as the women left Hope Valley and went back to the big city.
“I thought she did so well,” Shields shared with Us at the time, explaining that the Hallmark writers “kept adding lines for her.”
Although Rowan’s future in entertainment is still being written, Shields is well-established as an actress. Her most-recent venture, You’re Killing Me, has helped Shields bring life to a character who is her own age in a world in which not everyone trusts or respects someone in their 50s and 60s.
Brooke Shields and Amalia Williamson on ‘You’re Killing Me.’ Mike Tompkins/AcornTV
Shields plays best-selling novelist Allie, who teams up with a Gen Z podcaster and aspiring writer Andi (Amalia Williamson) to solve murders in a small New England town.
“I wanted this woman to be able to exemplify that type of power and value that does happen to a 50 or 60 year old woman,” Shields told Us of what she wanted to bring to Allie. “And that her intelligence, her experience, her sensitivity, and attention to detail and kindness, those are things that created a woman in this generation. I know multiple women like this, and they’re all being given the same message, which is, ‘You had a good run. Thank you. You’re done.’”
Brooke Shields is not a regular mom, she’s a “cool mom” — at least according to her daughter’s latest Instagram post. The actress’ daughter Rowan, 21, shared a photo of the pair’s matching tattoos via her Instagram Story on Saturday, January 4, writing, “Mother/daughter bonding.” The tattoos, which appear to be inked on the women’s […]
She noted that in addition to highlighting Allie’s value no matter her age, she loved bringing in a “younger generation where they can combine and communicate and be better than the sum of their parts.”
“Together their strength was magnified, and that they each brought something different to the table, and they’re female, and that’s maternal,” Shields revealed. “That was the real part that I thought was the heart of it. Then there’s the comedy, which is just a blast to do, and I found a partner in Amalia where we jump in together.”
You’re Killing Me has new episodes premiering on Acorn TV every Monday through June 22. Next Gen NYC premieres on Bravo Wednesday, June 24, at 9 p.m. ET.
