It’s been weeks since tensions escalated between Brooklyn Beckham and his family, following his no-show at dad David’s 50th birthday celebrations last month. With the rumoured rift showing no signs of abating, sources tell Closer that the divide is now causing strain in his married life with wife Nicola Peltz.
Insiders say Brooklyn’s growing dependence and ‘emotional clinginess’ on Nicola, 30, is putting pressure on their six-year relationship, as the 26-year-old becomes more distanced from his family, including his mum Victoria, whom he was once very close to.
All this is said to be leaving Nicola feeling like she’s beginning to take on a ‘parent’ role rather than partner.
‘For the first time in his life, Brooklyn doesn’t have his parents to lean on. He used to talk to them pretty much every day, especially his mum, so now Nicola has to fill that emotional void and it’s a lot of pressure,’ the source tells Closer.
‘He often looks for reassurance or needs her attention, and it’s starting to wear on her a bit. He’s become incredibly dependent on her and she’s starting to complain to friends that she feels like she’s carrying the full weight of the relationship.’
Last week, the couple – who began dating in 2019 – broke their silence amid the reported feud, as they put on a united front in an interview about their romance. Nicola spoke warmly of her parents – American billionaire Nelson and former model Claudia – a few times in the chat with Glamour US, while Brooklyn only mentioned David, 50, and Victoria, 51, once.
‘My parents always said, “When you meet the right person, you’ll just know.” As a kid I was like, What does that even mean? But it’s real. It’s this calm feeling, a sense of safety that takes over your whole body. I’d never felt that before,’ Nicola said. She also revealed how her parents had offered their unwavering support to the pair and spoke of their ‘intense’ wedding.
‘My parents always told me, “Tell us the truth, and we’ll help you.” That mindset has stayed with me. Whether it’s with friends, family or in a relationship – honesty builds trust, closeness, growth,’ she explained. ‘Real connection only happens when you’re brave enough to be honest.’ In contrast, Brooklyn’s sole mention of his famous folks was about his tattoos.
The interview came two days after actress-director Nicola was accused of throwing shade at her mother-in-law when she shared a post on Instagram in a loving tribute to Claudia. ‘I would choose my mum to be my mum in every lifetime, again, and again, and again,’ the post read, followed by a red heart.
Her pointed message followed a day after reports emerged that Victoria allegedly ‘ruined’ Nicola and Brooklyn’s wedding in 2022, leaving the bride in tears when she slow danced with her eldest son, moments after singer Marc Anthony announced Victoria as ‘the most beautiful woman in the room’ instead of Nicola.
A source said Nicola allegedly ‘felt that Victoria ruined her wedding and couldn’t understand why. Nicola ran from the room crying.’ They added, ‘Nicola felt like Victoria did this on purpose, when she knew it was a pre-planned romantic dance meant for Brooklyn and Nicola. What she couldn’t understand was why.’
Closer’s insider says, ‘Nicola is totally committed to this life she and Brooklyn are building together, but that’s not to say they don’t have their challenges. From the very beginning it’s been this “us against the world” type of vibe, and there’s no doubt she loves the fact that Brooklyn worships the ground she walks on. But they’re both dealing with a ton of stress right now and there’s a lot of tension at home.’
The rift between Brooklyn and Nicola and the rest of his family – David, Victoria and siblings Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13 – is thought to have started during their wedding after Nicola chose to wear a Valentino gown over one designed by Victoria. It was believed to be reignited by Romeo dating Kim Turnbull – who’d apparently been close to Brooklyn years ago. The couple are believed to have now split up after their romance ‘fizzled out’.
While Nicola previously said there is ‘no feud’, relations have apparently become so strained that Brooklyn recently publicly stated that he’d ‘always choose’ his wife – his ‘whole world’ – which fans thought was a veiled dig at his family. It’s also been reported that Cruz rings up restaurants before booking in to check that he doesn’t run into his estranged sibling.
In addition to the Beckhams’ rift, Nicola is embroiled in a legal battle against dog groomers HoundSpa LLC and its owner Deborah Gittleman and groomer Jony Ceballos, who she claims caused the deaths of her beloved dogs Nala and Frankie. They have denied all allegations.
The source adds, ‘It’s all way too intense for Nicola. She loves Brooklyn, but it’s a lot at the moment. Nicola feels incredibly sad for Brooklyn that he’s going through such turmoil and she’s grateful that he’s taken this very hard line in order to defend her and the marriage. She just wants him to ease up and chill now.’