Brooklyn Beckham has publicly addressed his long-rumoured rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, in a lengthy and emotional statement shared on Instagram on Monday, 19 January.
In a six-slide post on his Instagram Stories, the eldest Beckham child said he had remained silent for years in an effort to keep family matters private, but felt compelled to speak out after continued media coverage.
“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.”
Brooklyn confirmed that he is estranged from his parents and does not wish to reconcile, stating that the breakdown in their relationship centres on his marriage to actress Nicola Peltz, a subject that has been widely speculated upon for some time.
Among the most serious claims in his statement, Brooklyn alleged that Victoria Beckham cancelled plans to design Nicola Peltz’s wedding dress shortly before the ceremony, despite her initial enthusiasm. According to Brooklyn, the decision left his wife scrambling to find an alternative dress at the last minute.
“My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped,” he wrote.
Brooklyn also described an incident at his wedding involving singer Marc Anthony, who invited him on stage for what was intended to be a romantic moment with his new bride. He claimed his mother intervened instead.
“My mum was waiting to dance with me instead,” he wrote. “She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”
He added that when he and Peltz renewed their vows last year, shortly after his father’s birthday celebrations, the decision was motivated by a desire to “create new memories”.
Throughout the statement, Brooklyn strongly defended his wife against longstanding claims that she has caused the family rift or exerts control over him.
“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards,” he wrote. “I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety.”
Brooklyn concluded by saying that distancing himself from his family has had a profound impact on his mental wellbeing.
“For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared,” he said. “I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and I have found peace and relief.”