Brooke Shields, 61, says one career move helped her stay relevant even in 'the darker times' Brooke Shields, 61, credits her career longevity to constantly trying new things. Bravo/Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images Brooke Shields , 61, says the key to her decadeslong career in Hollywood is knowing when to pivot. "I think what I fought for the whole time is a diverse type of creative career," Shields said during an appearance on Monday's episode of "The Bossticks" podcast . When one part of her career cooled off, she shifted her focus elsewhere, whether that meant working in theater or writing a book . Exploring different creative paths helped her continue growing as an artist while surrounding herself with people who supported her, she said. Shields also said her mother taught her to stay resilient in the entertainment industry . "My mom used to say never take no for an answer. And you know, that's easier said than done, but I would sort of say, oh, OK, you don't want me right now.…