Sir David and Victoria Beckham have built a global empire on selling their family’s privacy, but their eldest son, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, has now publicly turned against them. In a lengthy Instagram post, Brooklyn accused his parents of treating him as a commercial prop, prioritising ‘Brand Beckham’ over genuine family love. The post, which went viral, marks a dramatic escalation in a rift that has been festering for years.
Brooklyn’s post read in part: ‘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.’ The sentiments, though likely written with help, are believed to be his own.
The Beckhams have commodified their children since before birth. Victoria sold the story of her pregnancy, and the couple sold the first pictures of Brooklyn as a newborn. They sold intimate home and nursery photos, and their wedding pictures to OK! magazine. Over time, they built a vast diversified empire on controlling their image and brand, channelling it through social media.
Victoria’s recent Netflix documentary, which she executive produced, notably avoided any mention of the rift with Brooklyn. The documentary was a self-commissioned advertorial, typical of the curated public-facing existence that defines the family’s brand. Critics argue the Beckhams have become so immersed in this commercialised version of family life that they can no longer see how corrosive it is.
The family rift is described as deeply sad, with Brooklyn effectively cutting off contact. While all parents make mistakes, the Beckhams have made it hard for their children to be serious people, as one commentator noted. The fallout from Brooklyn’s ‘nuclear’ Instagram post continues to dominate headlines.
