Rowan Henchy grew up in the spotlight as the daughter of famous actress Brooke Shields, but during Next Gen NYC Season 2, Rowan made it clear just how down to earth she and her mother are, as she described their special relationship.
How to Watch
Next Gen NYC airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. Episodes stream next day on Peacock.
“She’s gonna hate me for saying this, but sometimes I am my mother’s babysitter,” Rowan confessed to producers during Episode 3. “She’s like, ‘Where are my glasses?’ I’m like, ‘They’re on your head.’ ‘Where’s my phone?’ ‘It’s in your hand.’”
Cameras captured Rowan living back at home with her parents in New York City after graduating from Wake Forest University. Rowan admitted, “It’s a dynamic we’re figuring out.”
Still, Rowan added during Next Gen NYC’s July 8 episode, “My relationship with my mom is amazing.”
She detailed the close bond they have as they got ready for an event. “I just love seeing her do her job,” Rowan shared. “Even if it’s just like, we went to the TODAY show. She was cohosting last week, and we had so much fun.”
Brooke Shields opens up about her relationship with daughter Rowan Henchy
For her part, Brooke opened up about her parenting style during her May 21 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “I’m actually less of a stage mom than I thought. So I’m not in the uber helicopter, I’m more in the like, ‘Don’t f—k up,’” she explained.
Rowan interviewed her mother for Extra TV on May 6, and Brooke expressed just how much Rowan means to her. “The day you were born, my life became fully, fully real, and you make me the happiest, being a mother. I’m just so proud of who you are,” Brooke emphasized.
She admitted that it was difficult to raise Rowan and her younger sister, Grier, while balancing her acting career. “I thought that I could be equally engaged in both at the same time. But what I found out very early one was if I did one, I’d feel guilty about the other. If I did the other, I was worried about the other,” Brooke shared. “And so I ended up choosing things and jobs that didn’t compromise your school.”
Still, Brooke made it clear she has no regrets about motherhood. “When I’m on my death bed, I’m not going to remember one thing that I did professionally. I’m gonna be so happy that you love me,” she told Rowan as she teared up. “That’ll be what does me in.”
Brooke Shields weighs in on Rowan Henchy’s career ambitions
Rowan received a degree in communications, with a minor in journalism, as she graduated from Wake Forest in the spring of 2025. She detailed her career goals during Next Gen NYC’s July 8 episode.
“Right now I am pursuing a career in entertainment journalism. But at the same time, I’m in the middle of writing my first feature film,” she shared, and explained, “I think it comes from my father. My dad is Chris Henchy, and he is a writer, comedian, director, producer.”
RELATED: Who is Rowan Henchy? Meet the Next Gen NYC Season 2 Cast Member & Brooke Shields’ Daughter
Brooke revealed she advised her daughter to use her Next Gen NYC Season 2 casting to her advantage in a career. “If she wants to be in broadcast journalism—she likes being on camera, she works for other news stations—and I said, ‘Parlay this into something,’” Brooke shared on WWHL. “And be right to the right people, and be the hard worker.”
Brooke Shields reveals her advice for Rowan Henchy joining Next Gen NYC Season 2
Although she’s new to the Next Gen NYC Season 2 cast, Brooke shared during WWHL that she has no concerns about Rowan’s ability to be on reality television.
“She’s been in the public eye since she was in utero,” she pointed out. She proceeded to share her advice: “I said, ‘Look, don’t be the girl throwing up. Be the one holding the hair back of the girl throwing up.’”
During an appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle on May 20, she shared more advice she gave to Rowan. “I said, ‘Look, don’t be a f—k up. Don’t! Be the voice of reason. You’re going to be fine,’” she recalled.
RELATED: Allow Next Gen NYC Newbies Rowan, Liam & Kendall to Introduce Themselves (EXCLUSIVE)
Although Brooke admitted she had some apprehension about Rowan joining the show, she said she’s actually seen some positive effects. “It’s given her a lot of confidence in a way, that it’s so nice to see,” she revealed.
Check out a preview of the drama to come on Next Gen NYC Season 2 in the trailer.
