Brooke Shields Says Tom Cruise Did Her a ‘Favor’ after Criticizing Her Postpartum Struggles

Brooke Shields' had an unlikely critic, and inadvertent amplifier, in Tom Cruise when she wrote about her mental health 18 years ago. While promoting his 2005 blockbuster, "War Of The Worlds," and his new relationship with Katie Holmes, the actor went on a tirade about psychology.

Tom Cruise had an infamous tense interview with Matt Lauer on June 23, 2005. He called psychology a "pseudo-science" and knocked Brooke Shields for taking meds and seeing a shrink for postpartum depression (PPD). She responded to his "ridiculous rant" with a New York Times op-ed a month later.

She reflected in a New Yorker profile published over the weekend: "In a way, he did me a favor because people came out and were outraged. And he looked silly." The author explained how people wanted to know more about PPD, and she even had to opportunity to effect change on a legislative level.

Brooke Shields Never Thought She Would Have Postpartum Depression

Shields wrote her July 1, 2005, NYT piece for herself and the many women who have suffered from PPD. While Tom Cruise insisted that he spoke from a place of authority as he has researched the history of psychology, the "Suddenly Susan" star should write from her lived experience - her history.

At 19, Henchy has not read her mother's book.

Having tried to conceive for two years and several in-vitro fertilization attempts, the former child star did not think she would have PPD once she finally had a baby.

Yet she was not excited about the birth of Rowan Francis Henchy. Instead, she was overwhelmed and dreaded having to tend to her daughter. Shields was not thrilled by being prescribed antidepressants but credited the meds and therapy for saving her family.

Since penning her memoir on PPD, "Down Came the Rain," Brooke Shields has been thanked by many women who had felt fear and shame and lacked resources and support for the taboo topic.

In her Hulu documentary "Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields," the "A Castle for Christmas" star is amazed at how openly she can discuss once closed-off subjects with her teenage daughters. At 19, Henchy has not read her mother's book but plans to when she is older.

She explained to Henchy that she did not want her to disappear; the actress tried to disappear herself. Henchy has been very understanding and supportive, but her sixteen-year-old sister still works through seeing the "bad things" their mother experienced.

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