Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, has publicly accused his parents of "controlling behavior" and actively attempting to undermine his marriage to actress Nicola Peltz Beckham. In a series of Instagram stories posted on January 19, 2026, the 26-year-old detailed his grievances, marking a significant escalation in the rumored family rift.
Brooklyn stated he was compelled to speak out after years of silence due to his parents allegedly manipulating the press and disseminating "lies" to control the narrative surrounding their family. He claims that his parents' actions have left him "no choice but to tell the truth". "I do not want to reconcile with my family," Brooklyn declared, asserting his independence by stating, "I'm not being controlled – I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life".
He described a lifetime of carefully curated public image orchestrated by his parents, filled with "performative social media posts, family events, and inauthentic relationships" designed to maintain a facade. Brooklyn alleges that "Brand Beckham" has consistently been prioritized over genuine family connections, causing him years of anxiety. He claims that stepping away from his parents has alleviated this anxiety.
Much of Brooklyn's statement centered on his 2022 wedding to Nicola Peltz, which has been a subject of tabloid speculation. He alleges that Victoria Beckham canceled plans to design Nicola's wedding dress at the last minute, forcing the bride to find a replacement urgently. He further claimed his mother called him "evil" during wedding planning because he and Nicola chose to seat their grandmothers at the main table. Brooklyn also claimed his parents pressured him to sign away the rights to his name before the wedding, a move he says would have impacted Nicola and their future children.
One of the most painful moments, according to Brooklyn, occurred during the wedding reception. He claims that his planned first dance with Nicola was "hijacked" when Marc Anthony called him to the stage, only for Victoria Beckham to be waiting instead. He described his mother dancing "very inappropriately" with him in front of the 500 wedding guests, leaving him feeling "uncomfortable and humiliated". He stated that he and Nicola wanted to renew their vows to create new, joyful memories of their wedding day.
Brooklyn also alleged that his parents encouraged his brothers to attack him online before they ultimately cut off contact. He further accused his mother of repeatedly disrespecting his marriage by inviting women from his past into their lives in ways he said were intended to cause discomfort.
The accusations have ignited a social media firestorm, with reactions ranging from shock and sympathy to skepticism. As of January 20, 2026, David and Victoria Beckham's representatives have not publicly responded to the allegations.
