A lot can change in a few years.
While David Beckham expressed in his 2023 Netflix docuseries, Beckham, that he and Victoria Beckham “tried to give our children the most normal upbringing as possible,” it seems his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, would strongly disagree.
After months of speculation surrounding a family rift, Brooklyn has now taken to his Instagram Story to call out his parents for controlling “narratives in the press about our family” and “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.” Brooklyn tied the knot with Nicola Peltz Beckham in April 2022.
“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private. Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed,” he wrote in multiple lengthy posts. “I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”
Brooklyn continued, “For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into. Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they’ll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their women facade. But I believe the truth always comes out.”
The 26-year-old son of the famed soccer player and Posh Spice went on to detail the ways he claims his parents tried to ruin his and Nicola’s wedding, leaving him “uncomfortable and humiliated” on their special day.
Rumors about a Beckham family feud have been circulating for some time now, but they were only really fueled by Instagram unfollows and press leaks up until Monday. And because a few years ago, everything appeared fine and dandy in their household in the 2023 Netflix docuseries, which sees David saying in episode four about his children, “And they could be little shits and they’re not. And that’s why I say I’m so proud of my children. And I’m so in awe of my children, the way they’ve turned out.”
Some of their kids also make cameos in Beckham, including Brooklyn, who appears to be laughing with his father at one point. (The docuseries released a year and a half after his wedding to Nicola.)
Brooklyn added on his Instagram Story on Monday, “My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first. Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations. We’ve gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show ‘our perfect family.’ But the one time my wife asked for my mum’s support to save displaced dogs during the L.A. fires, my mum refused.
“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief,” he concluded. “My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation. All we want [is] peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to David and Victoria’s reps for comment, but did not hear back at time of publication.
