In a move that has been described as "combustible" by public relations experts, Nicola Peltz has launched a new, indirect attack on her in-laws, David and Victoria Beckham, through her social media activity. This comes despite her husband Brooklyn Beckham's recent public statement insisting that the couple simply desire privacy away from the spotlight.
A Tactical Yet Risky Social Media Play
Following Brooklyn's explosive statement, in which he accused his parents of controlling narratives and attempting to sabotage his marriage, Nicola has not issued any direct comments herself. However, her actions on platforms like TikTok have spoken volumes. On a video showcasing her 31st birthday celebrations, fans quickly noticed that Nicola had liked several comments that directly referenced the family rift.
One such comment stated, "I'm sorry but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors... there's obviously a reason why Brooklyn doesn't speak with his parents... no child would ever choose to cut off their parents without good reason." Another liked comment read, "I'm glad Brooklyn was able to join such a nice family." These endorsements subtly frame Brooklyn's decision to sever ties as justified and position Nicola's own family as a more supportive alternative.
Expert Analysis: A Strategy That Could Backfire
PR specialist Mayah Riaz has analysed this approach, describing it as a tactical manoeuvre designed to make an impact while maintaining a facade of non-involvement. "This feels like a classic case of saying one thing while doing another," Mayah explains. "You can't ask for privacy and then drip-feed domestic moments on the very day the spotlight is on your mother, who you have been so vindictive about. Timing of social media is a message whether intended or not."
She warns that Nicola's selective engagement is particularly dangerous. "Nicola liking comments that hint at tension or suggest Brooklyn has found a new family is where things really start to unravel. Even a single like can be louder than if they were to give a press statement. It subtly validates speculation and tells audiences there is more going on, even if the couple never says it outright. In PR, silence is powerful, but selective engagement is combustible."
United Front or Quiet Rebellion?
The likes coincided with Nicola and Brooklyn presenting a united front on TikTok, posting affectionate footage of themselves together. This occurred on the same day Victoria Beckham received her Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters distinction. The clips featured the couple walking their dog, dining out, and cuddling, with Brooklyn captioning the video "I love you" and tagging his wife.
However, Mayah Riaz believes this strategy may be achieving the opposite of its intended effect. "If their game plan is to present a calm, loved-up front, then this approach is backfiring," she states. "What it's creating instead is a narrative of quiet rebellion. The public doesn't read this as privacy, they read it as strategy. Every post, every like, every absence is analysed. If you truly want privacy, you have to be disciplined across the board. Otherwise it comes across as 'we want privacy on our terms', and we know that invites more scrutiny, not less."
Echoes of Past Relationships
For some observers, this situation evokes uncomfortable parallels with Nicola's past. Before her relationship with Brooklyn, she dated Anwar Hadid, the younger brother of models Gigi and Bella Hadid, between 2016 and 2018. Initially, Nicola praised Anwar's family, telling an interviewer, "Honestly, he is an angel. He's such an amazing person. He comes from such an amazing family... I just love his family so much."
Yet, according to sources cited by the Daily Mail, trouble allegedly began when Nicola, then 22, "wanted to be the first priority" in her then 17-year-old boyfriend's life. "She monopolised his time. If she wasn't, she would flip," a source claimed. Anwar is even said to have "stopped talking" to his family briefly during their relationship.
Anwar's sister, Alana, recently waded into the Beckham family dispute, branding Nicola "a fame hungry liar" in a social media exchange. This adds further context to the current tensions and public perceptions.
The Spotlight Beckons
Mayah Riaz concludes that Nicola's current social media tactics suggest a deeper need to remain in the public eye, contradicting the stated desire for privacy. "At the moment, the story isn't about a couple walking their dog. It's about what isn't being said – and that's the most headline-grabbing thing of all." This calculated use of likes and posts risks fanning the flames of the very publicity the couple claims to shun, potentially backfiring as scrutiny intensifies around their every move.
