Brooke Shields felt ‘sick to (her) stomach’ over daughter Rowan Henchy joining reality show

Brooke Shields reacts to daughter Rowan Henchy joining 'Next Gen NYC', saying she felt 'sick to my stomach'

Brooke Shields has spoken about her reaction to her daughter Rowan Henchy stepping into reality television, saying she felt “sick to my stomach” when she learned about the move.

Rowan Henchy, 23, is set to appear in season two of Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, a reality series that follows the lives of Gen-Z children of well-known public figures. The cast includes Gia Giudice, Brooks Marks, and Ava Dash, among others.

Speaking on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle on May 20, Brooke Shields reflected on her initial reaction to the news. She said, “Oh, I was sick to my stomach!” when Rowan told her she would be joining the show.

Brooke Shields noted the differences between her own early career and the current reality TV landscape, saying, “They didn’t have reality shows though,” and adding, “And you were not praised for bad behavior, you know. Bad behavior was not really the goal.”

She also said that modern reality formats can be “geared toward” rewarding negative behaviour for entertainment value.

Shields shares Rowan and her younger daughter Grier Hammond Henchy with husband Chris Henchy.

Rowan graduated from Wake Forest University last year and currently works as a booking producer at Good Morning America, alongside exploring opportunities in broadcast media.

Brooke Shields said she advised her daughter to approach the opportunity carefully, sharing, “I said, ‘Look, don’t be a [expletive] up. Don’t! Be the voice of reason. You’re going to be fine.’”

She added that Rowan views her media work as a potential pathway into further broadcasting opportunities, describing reality TV as “a business choice.”

Shields also said she hopes the experience will serve as a “stepping stone” rather than a defining career move, while noting that the role has helped Rowan gain confidence. Next Gen NYC season two is scheduled to premiere on June 24.