She represented a femininity of that time.
There was a sense she was the woman of the future.
She looked at me and said, This baby is going to be a star!
Brooke says, with a wistful smile.
This baby was going to be her savior.
But she is not that sexy woman-child today.
Surprisingly, Brooke insists she never really was.
That world was fake to me, she says.
It wasnt my real life.
Brooke began dismantling that image in 1983 when she ditched superstardom to attend Princeton University.
But the postgraduation years were a dark period, she says.
A fickle Hollywood had forgotten all about the woman of the future.
Picking herself up from all that trauma, Brooke pivoted.
It wasnt like she became funny, saysSusancostar Judd Nelson in thePretty Babydoc.
No, that was always there.
We just didnt get to see it.
She found love, marrying tennis great Andre Agassi in 1997.
The union only lasted two years, but shes not regretful.
I think we get into different relationships for different reasons, she says thoughtfully.
They married in 2001.
He makes me laugh, she says.
I think I always knew that I needed solid and normal.
And hes a very, very good dad.
He goes to every basketball game, every volleyball game.
And the kids love being around him too.
On cue, Brooke whips out her iPhone to proudly show photos and videos of Rowan and Grier.
Theyre very old-souled children, she says adoringly.
Personality-wise, Rowans like a golden retriever puppy and Grier is like an Abyssinian cat.
But she also stays busy outside the home, particularly withher nest about to empty.
There are so many moving pieces, Brooke says, taking a deep breath.
Here is her side of the story.
What was it like to be so famous as a tween and teen?
It only became clear to me how famous I was when we went out.
It was like facing a firing squad.
My mom would say, Youvegot to get out of the car first.
Theyre not here to see me.
Strangers feel close to you, and it can be overwhelming.
Suddenly, youre responsible for every fans experience.
But you seemed so mature dealing with all that.
I was a thoughtful kid I really did see things deeper.
And I didnt want to lose my cool on camera during interviews, because then they win.
There was one interview where this woman asked me the same question three times.
I finally said to her, Excuse me, maam, but I dont think you want my answer.
Because I keep answering it and you keep asking the same question, wanting a different answer.
But I have no other answer because this is my truth.
Im also a champion compartmentalizer; it was the only way to stay buoyant.
