Brooklyn Beckham and wife Nicola Peltz-Beckham have been at odds with his famous parents Victoria and David Beckham since their 2022 wedding, with sources claiming tensions over influence and control
David Beckham, from left, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz appear at the premiere of the Netflix docuseries “Beckham” in London on Oct. 3, 2023(Image: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Following Brooklyn Beckham’s public criticism of his family last week, the Beckham clan reportedly responded by pointing the finger at Nicola.
Allegedly referring to him as the ‘hostage’, Victoria and David Beckham are said to harbour serious concerns about his wife’s seeming sway over him, with insiders suggesting they’re concerned he’s being manipulated.
Relations between the Peltz-Beckhams and the Beckham family have been strained since Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding in 2022, and it seems reconciliation between the two sides remains unlikely.
The Peltz family are evidently a tight-knit group unafraid to pursue or threaten legal measures when they feel it warranted. Brooklyn himself recently sent his own parents a legal warning, prohibiting them from contacting him except through solicitors.
He’s made his loyalties plain, regularly sharing effusive social media posts about ‘choosing’ Nicola.
Brooklyn Beckham with wife Nicola Peltz(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Matters escalated further when the pair didn’t turn up to David Beckham’s lavish 50th birthday bash, reportedly leaving the ex-Manchester United star “hurt” by their absence. Sources suggest that whilst Brooklyn had intended to attend the celebrations, having informed his parents weeks in advance, Nicola allegedly “finds a way to start an argument” and persuades her husband not to engage with his family, reports the Mirror.
They were also noticeably absent from Victoria’s birthday celebrations, and he didn’t post any Mother’s Day tributes online in March. Rumours are swirling that the friction may be linked to Nicola’s relationship with the Beckham clan, though Brooklyn has remained silent on his own social media channels regarding his father’s milestone birthday.
The billionaire heiress has hit back through social media engagement, liking a comment which stated: “The fact people are in this comment section talking bs about someone controlling a GROWN man is absurd. The guy is an adult and can make his own decisions, leave them be and stop blaming women for everything.”
However, this isn’t the first occasion Nicola has faced allegations of distancing partners from their relatives. Prior to Brooklyn, Nicola was in a relationship with Anwar Hadid, and his family have voiced concerns, suggesting what’s unfolding with Brooklyn is ‘history repeating itself’.
Nicola and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Nicola similarly brought Anwar into her close-knit family circle, with photographs showing him accompanying her and brother Will on red carpets at awards ceremonies.
At the time, rumours suggested Anwar had become estranged from his well-known family, with one tweet claiming: “Brooklyn Beckham’s wife previously dated Anwar Hadid, and he also stopped talking to his parents. Yolanda [Anwar’s mum] snapped back: “Not on my watch.'”
When Brooklyn and Nicola exchanged vows, the occasion wasn’t without its fair share of controversy – drama that has now completely severed the bond between the newlyweds and the Beckham family.
In a scathing six-page declaration shared on Instagram, Brooklyn, 26, laid into his mum, Victoria, 51, claiming she attempted to undermine his marriage to the actress and model, 31, who reportedly left her wedding ‘in tears’ following the Spice Girl’s ‘inappropriate’ dance with her newly-wed son.
Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz attend the Netflix ‘Beckham’ UK Premiere(Image: Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Speculation mounted that Nicola was the driving force behind the statement that lambasted the Beckhams, and whilst there’s no concrete evidence, analysts have observed how the message seemed “polished” and the “tone does feel coached rather than chaotic, which is usually a sign of support rather than manipulation.”
The young pair have remained silent on Brooklyn’s explosive tirade, but they appear unfazed by critics after Victoria’s supporters branded the aspiring chef and billionaire heiress ‘horribly ungrateful’.
Despite being wed to Brooklyn, Nicola has carved out her own identity beyond her family ties. With roles in productions including Deck The Halls, Transformers and The Last Airbender, plus strutting down the catwalk for Balenciaga in 2015, she’s credited her father Nelson as the driving force behind her dedicated work ethic.
She revealed to Tatler: “My dad always says, ‘I don’t care what you do in life, as long as you are fully committed and you work’,” whilst also sharing Nelson’s philosophy: “Someone will always be prettier, more talented – you always find competition in that area – but no one should be a harder worker than you.”
The Beckhams are in turmoil after Brooklyn’s shock statement on Monday(Image: Getty)
Given this upbringing, it’s hardly shocking she’s stood firm on suggestions she’s responsible for the Beckham family fallout.
With Nelson as a father, it’s crystal clear why Nicola possesses such determination. The Peltz clan commands an eye-watering net worth of $1.6 billion, accumulated through Nelson’s succession of thriving businesses, shrewd investments and entrepreneurial ventures.
However, throughout the years, Mr Peltz has earned a reputation as a “bully”, relentlessly pursuing his objectives until achieved – a trait Nicola appears to have inherited.
The Daily Mail reports that Peltz established a company called Trian in 2005, launching aggressive campaigns to secure board positions at major corporations including Heinz, Procter and Gamble and Unilever, with targeted firms frequently characterising him as prioritising short-term gains.
In 2024, Disney unveiled a three-minute attack video attempting to block his appointment to its board of directors, branding him ‘disruptive and destructive’.
(L-R) Cruz Beckham, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Victoria Beckham and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham attend the Premiere of “Lola” at Regency Bruin Theatre on February 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California(Image: FilmMagic)
The entertainment giant produced the campaign-style footage criticising the activist investor’s intentions and credentials after Nelson and his Trian Fund initiated efforts to secure two board positions. The business stated that Nelson has an extensive track record of ‘attacking companies to the ultimate detriment’ of shareholders and claimed his inclusion would prove ‘disruptive’ and ‘value-destructive’.
In his own presentation, Nelson contended that Disney had been sluggish in responding to industry shifts, particularly in streaming services, made missteps in its acquisition approach, and mishandled its succession arrangements.
Despite cultivating a formidable reputation in financial circles, Nelson has demonstrated he’s equally prepared to battle on behalf of his children, notably taking legal action against Nicola’s former wedding coordinators Plan Design Event, claiming they failed to fulfil their contractual duties and wouldn’t return a $159,000 deposit after being dismissed ahead of the spectacular $3.5million nuptials at his sprawling Florida property.
Nicola has previously disclosed that Brooklyn turns to his father-in-law for commercial guidance. She enthused: “Brooklyn is getting into very exciting things with his shows and also business things and it’s really sweet. I watch him call my dad and say, ‘What do you think about this?’ I love watching him learn from my dad.”
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz have said they don’t want any contact with the Beckhams(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
This stands in stark contrast to her dynamic with her husband’s family, as recent reports suggest Nicola found it difficult to address her in-laws by their first names following a bitter family dispute.
Sources claim that during a 2022 interview, Nicola appeared uncomfortable using Victoria and David Beckham’s names directly.
Journalist Polly Barton conducted an interview with the actress merely six months following her 2022 wedding and observed: “I was struck by Nicola’s borderline inability to speak either David or Victoria’s names.
The ‘she, Victoria, uh’ in the above quote, was as direct as it got, otherwise, it was just ‘Brooklyn’s mom’ or ‘dad. ‘”Specialists suggest that Brooklyn’s fondness for a commanding partner reflects his childhood experiences. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott noted: “Brooklyn’s mother is a powerful successful woman and it’s hardly a surprise he was attracted to a powerful successful woman as his wife.
It’s also hardly a surprise that these two powerful women would both have a falling out. “Both individuals emerged from comparable backgrounds, as Noel highlighted, sharing the experience of growing up in highly structured surroundings.
Nicola’s parents didn’t meet the Beckhams until after she and Brooklyn were engaged(Image: Instagram)
“The world that the Beckhams and Peltz’s come from are defined by being very protected and also being used to getting your own way.
“Both children would have been closely controlled the whole of their lives by their parents.”
Some sources have previously described Nicola as “childlike”. Brooklyn consistently refers to Nicola as ‘baby’ or ‘babygirl’, whilst her 31st birthday celebration in January featured a ballerina theme complete with a doll in a tutu adorning her cake. One source told the Daily Mail: “Nicola is someone who has grown up with so much wealth and power.
“If you have grown up like that, your whole view of life and other people is so warped. Everyone is your plaything and if something or someone displeases you, it’s got rid of.”
The 31-year-old has clearly inherited characteristics such as determination from her accomplished father, and psychologist Dr Goddard-Crawley explained to Daily Mirror that values surrounding work, success and dedication are transmitted powerfully within families.
She said: “Growing up with a parent who emphasises effort, competitiveness or achievement can foster a strong sense of drive, confidence and self-belief.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz attend Victoria Beckham Spring Summer 25 Fashion Show on September 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Image: Photo by Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Victoria Beckham)
“For some people, this can look like being headstrong or determined. For others, it can feel like a need to be right or to stay in control. The same early messages can be experienced very differently depending on temperament and context.
“A strong or demanding upbringing can produce resilience and ambition, but it can also make someone very protective of their own boundaries and independence.”
When discussing the dynamics of distancing oneself from in-laws or another influential family, the expert explained there can be “many explanations that have nothing to do with threat or competition”, adding: “These situations are usually about navigating identity, loyalty and belonging rather than one person ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.
“Joining a very high-profile family can bring its own pressures, and pulling back can sometimes be a way of protecting a sense of self rather than rejecting others.”
Brooklyn Beckham married Nicola Peltz in April 2022. (Image: Brooklyn Beckham / Instagram)
Regarding upbringing, Dr Goddard-Crawley highlighted how early values surrounding work, success and strength might influence someone’s confidence and boundaries in adult relationships.
“This means it’s often less about conflict with others and more about how someone has learned to assert themselves and feel secure in close relationships.”
Meanwhile, Brooklyn continues to embrace life with the Peltz family, though sources close to David and Victoria Beckham claim they found Nelson “foul” during the wedding celebrations.
According to reports, Nelson had an ‘outburst’ directed at a guest who used a bathroom inside his Florida mansion rather than one of the portable facilities provided on the grounds.
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and wife Nicola Peltz Beckham
A source told the Daily Mail at the time: “The whole Beckham family found Nelson utterly foul at the wedding. They didn’t particularly like him before but they really didn’t afterwards.”
“They were kind of in their corner having a lovely time and trying to enjoy their son’s big day but there was certainly an atmosphere. Brooklyn is obviously aware of the strained relations between his parents and Nelson.
“He knows they don’t like him very much. It all feels like Brooklyn and Nicola are rubbing David and Victoria’s faces in all of this.”
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