After confessing that last year “definitely wasn’t the easiest”, Victoria Beckham suffered another setback last week amid news that a case against her from an ex-employee will go to court.
Former employee, Kristine Kubiliene, 54, is suing her Victoria Beckham clothing brand after claiming she developed wrist injuries from working 15-hour days, seven days a week, during New York Fashion Week. She says she was in such pain she could barely open her handbag, did not have regular breaks and had to take painkillers to get through shifts.
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Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Posh, 47, argues that if Ms Kubiliene – who worked at her London studio for eight years – suffered any injuries, it was due to her own negligence.
Although Ms Kubiliene filed the lawsuit in August 2020, a judge has now ruled the case will be heard in London’s High Court next autumn.
And while the former Spice Girl has been enjoying a break in Miami alongside husband David, 46, and their four children – soaking up the winter sun on a £5 million superyacht and posting loved-up pictures – insiders say news of the impending court battle has left her very upset.
Check out: a look back at the most shocking celebrity breakups
Most shocking breakups of the decade - slider
1 of 30Louise and Jamie Redknapp
They were the British A-list couple that we thought would last but the world was stunned in July 2017 when Louise and Jamie Redknapp confirmed they'd split after 19 years together. Months later Louise opened up about the end of her marriage and following the end of the Redknapp marriage, it was reported that celebrities were refusing to sign up to the BBC show because of the Strictly curse.
2 of 30Cheryl and Ashley Cole
Cheryl and Ashley Cole first met in 2004 and quickly became an A-list couple. Two years later they tied the knot in an extravagant wedding. However, in 2010 following cheating allegations that were splashed across the media, Chez split from her footballer husband.
3 of 30Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin
Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin had been together for 23 years and married for 11 but in January 2018, the TV presenter confirmed he was filing for divorce following his rehab stint.However after a drink driving arrest, a second visit to rehab and liking a lot of shady tweets – the pair officially divorced nine months after splitting.
4 of 30Lenny Henry and Dawn French
At the beginning of the decade, Dawn French and Lenny Henry announced they were splitting after 25 years of marriage.
5 of 30Paul and Alex Hollywood
Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood and his wife Alex split after 20 years together. They'd previously split in 2013 after the GBBO star had an affair with his American co-star but they managed to patch things over and make things work. For a while.
6 of 30Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
We still can't believe Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split in 2016 after ten years together and two years marriage. The couple are parents to six children; Maddox, 18, Shiloh, 13, Pax, 16, Zahara, 14, Vivienne, 11, and Knox, 11. Even George Clooney was stunned at the news; well, to be fair he did find out during an interview.
7 of 30Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green
We thought they'd be a real-life Romeo and Juliet (minus the death) but Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green called it quits after being married for three years. We weren't the only ones who thought they were a power couple; remember when Craig Lawson joked he'd be the next Pro Green and Millie with Camilla Thurlow? Yeah, that didn't last.
8 of 30Bruce and Kris Jenner
They're the head of the Kardashian/Jenner household but in 2013 the world was shocked when Bruce and Kris Jenner announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage. A year later, Kris filed for divorce and cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. A month after their divorce was finalised, Bruce publicly came out as a transgender woman – Caitlyn.
9 of 30Katy Perry and Russell Brand
One of the most heart-breaking celebrity break ups was definitely Katy Perry and Russell Brand, after all, she found out their 14-month marriage ended via TEXT. Their entire split was shown on her documentary Part of Me and remarkably Katy still performed on stage just hours after Russell announced he wanted to end their marriage.
10 of 30Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom had only known each other for three weeks before they tied the knot. Yes, really. They lasted four years before the Keeping Up with The Kardashians star filed for divorce. However, in 2015 she withdrew the file after Lamar suffered a drug overdose and she had to take control of his health decisions. There were reports that the pair would reunite but in 2016 their divorce was finalised.
11 of 30Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
Kim appeared to have followed in the footsteps as her younger sister Khloe when she got engaged to Kris Humphries after just seven months. She documented her 'dream' wedding on Keeping Up with The Kardashians but their relationship didn't last and they split just 72 DAYS after their wedding. Their breakup was also documented on their show.
12 of 30Stormzy and Maya Jama
We're still devastated about Stormzy and Maya Jama splitting, tbh. They were the dream team and had been together for four years – despite being very private they appeared in Vogue magazine together and the grime artist dedicated a song to her. However in August 2019 they called it quits and the TV presenter unfollowed him on Instagram.
13 of 30Seal and Heidi Klum
Seal and Heidi Klum renewed their wedding vows every year on their anniversary however after a seven-year marriage they called it quits. The A-list couple are parents to four children; Leni (who Heidi had from a previous relationship, but Seal adopted) and during their relationship they also welcomed Henry, Johan and Lou into the world.
14 of 30Gary Lucy and Natasha Gray
After dating for 10 years and then being married for four, Gary Lucy and Natasha Gray called time on their marriage. The pair confirmed the news in a statement saying, "This was a very difficult decision, but was reached mutually and amicably. No other parties are involved."
15 of 30Liam Payne and Cheryl
We're pretty sure the world was shocked when Liam Payne and Cheryl announced they were dating. However they then went on to welcome baby Bear Grey Payne into the world and despite breakup rumours they posed together at the Brit Awards in 2018. Unfortunately a few months later – and a total of two years together - they split.
16 of 30Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy
This break up is still a bit weird and we're not really sure why it happened because – spoiler alert – they're not real people. Anyways, in 2015 the puppets announced the end of their relationship in a lengthy statement.
17 of 30Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
Another KUWTK break up – this one more surprising than the others – was Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick. The pair had been together for nine years and during that time they welcomed Mason, Penelope and Reign. They'd split a few times throughout their relationship – which included Scott doing to rehab and cheating allegations. However in 2015 they split for good.
18 of 30Cheryl and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
Cheryl literally surprised the world when she announced on Instagram that she had eloped with Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini after three months of dating. The pair seemed totally in love until Cheryl raised concerns among fans after losing a lot of weight and slammed any split rumours by revealing her father in law had died. Unfortunately their romance wasn't to last and after 18 months of marriage they split.
19 of 30Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik
Little Mix's Perri Edwards and One Direction's Zayn Malik were X Factor sweethearts. They supported each other's career, posted adorable snaps and even got a puppy together. The singers then got engaged but two years later – following cheating accusations and after Zayn quit One Direction – it came to light that he ended their relationship. While she claimed he dumped her via text, he denied it.
20 of 30Adele and Simon Konecki
She's notoriously private with her life but in 2019 is came to light that Adele and her husband Simon Konecki had split. Awhopping £145m is the figure being talked about in relation to their divorce. In 2012 they welcomed their only child into the world – Angelo.
21 of 30Chris Pratt and Anna Faris
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced they were splitting back in 2018 and a few months later their divorce was finalised. At the time they released a statement, saying: "We tried hard for a long time, and we're really disappointed. "Our son has two parents who love him very much and for his sake we want to keep this situation as private as possible moving forward."They went on to say they "still have love for each other".
22 of 30Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
Step Up stars Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan called it quits after being married for eight years. At the time they insisted they'd "lovingly chosen to separate as a couple". During their relationship they welcomed their daughter Everly into the world.
23 of 30Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk
We were devastated in June 2019 when one of the hottest A-list couples – Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk – split after four years together. Apparently the parents to their daughter Lea De Seine hadn't "been good for a few months".
24 of 30Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes dated for seven years and were married for six but in 2012 it came to light that she had filed for divorce. He later spoke out and admitted he "did not expect" the turn of events.
25 of 30Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
Friends star Jennifer Aniston and her husband Justin Theroux called it quits after being married for two years. At the time they said the "decision was mutual and loving" and it appeared to be the truth because a year later to paid tribute to his ex-wife to celebrate her 50th birthday.
26 of 30Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom
Victoria's Secret model and Hollywood actor Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom broke up after six years together. After being married for three years they announced they'd been "amicably separated for the past few months" before confirming their relationship had ended.
27 of 30Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth lived a real-life story after falling in love on the set of The Last Song. However after four years together they split. They were then on/off but decided to call it quits AGAIN after eight years together. Their relationship didn't end there though because they reunited and got married but eight months after their wedding they split again.
28 of 30Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
Another couple who took the world by surprise were Twilightstars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. They met on the set of the vampire phenomenon back in 2009 and fell in love. While we all thought it would last, it didn't. Their relationship hit a rough patch in 2012 when Kristen's affair with her married director Rupert Sanders was exposed by paparazzi. Robert forgave her and they tried to make it work but they split a few months later.
29 of 30Fergie and Josh Duhamel
After eight years together Fergie and Josh Duhamel announced their split. Fast forward two years and Fergie filed for divorce.
30 of 30Matt Leblanc and Aurora Mulligan
In news that shocked Friends fans the world over, In February 2022 it was reported that Matt LeBlanc - best known for playing Joey Tribbiani on the show – had split from his girlfriend of six years, Top Gear producer Aurora Mulligan.
A source says, “Vic’s devastated that the case has escalated like this. It’s really rocked her. It’s humiliating and she fears publicity over the trial could have a detrimental effect on her brand – especially as there have also been reports that the business is struggling.
“She had hoped that this year would start on a positive note after everything she went through last year, so of course the thought of the company being dragged to court is a shock. It’s very unlikely she’ll have to appear in court herself, but it’s still upsetting for her.
“She’s put on a brave face for her Instagram posts, but behind the scenes she’s struggling and her Miami trip was tainted by phone calls with lawyers and tense talks with investors.”
Earlier this month, the mum of four admitted 2021 “definitely wasn’t the easiest year” amid news her already cash-strapped business racked up losses of £8 million last year – taking it to a total of over £50 million in losses since its 2008 launch.
While her team insisted the figures showed a “good result in a difficult year… in a pandemic year when stores selling Victoria Beckham fashion and beauty are shut”, a report said it cast “significant doubt” over the company’s future.
Posh and her business had already suffered a fan backlash in 2020 when she attempted to furlough over 30 staff during the pandemic, but later reversed the decision. However, a few months later it was reported she cut around 20 jobs at her label.
After the series of blows, the star fled to a £4k-a-week German retreat late last year following speculation she is losing her mass appeal – with her Instagram “likes” plummeting and not having appeared on a glossy fashion mag cover for over two years.
And while she’s continued to put on a brave face for her 29.4 million Instagram followers –promoting her latest collection and flaunting romantic date nights with David – insiders say her emotional state is a very different story. Tellingly, last week she posted a picture of her packed lunch made by David, with a handwritten note from him instructing her to “come home happier”, with her admitting, “Even when I’m grumpy he looks after me.”
The source adds, “She knows that when the case reaches court it’ll no doubt receive global media attention which could be damaging for her company if it goes the wrong way. After everything they’ve been though, this is a horrible way to see in 2022.
“She loves her brand but it feels cruel that she’s suffering so many setbacks lately. But she is trying her best not to wallow in pity, especially when she’s enjoying quality time with her family, who always do their utmost to pick her up when she’s feeling down.
“She feels she has the best support network she could ever ask for in David and the kids.”
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Expert: ‘These accusations could be really damaging’
Lauren Lunn Farrow, a damage limitation expert with more than 18 years’ experience, explains why Posh will be nervous about the claims against her company.
“Fashion has always been Victoria’s biggest passion, so this is a blow to her. Working in the fashion industry is a labour of love, and Victoria has grafted for her success and often worked against an industry which, at the beginning, was laughing at her.
“But while this is common knowledge for industry insiders, the accusations against the brand in the current climate of cancel culture can be really damaging. The brand let go of 20 staff members last year. If this gains momentum, and there are several disgruntled employees echoing the same experience, they could be looking at something a lot more serious.
“Her team will need to contain this story as quickly as possible. Today’s public quite rightly demands answers when it comes to staff welfare and how their clothes are made.
“Any potential investors want to see a company that is getting stronger and has happy employees. If they see a business that hasn’t made money for several years, and an employee’s claims over staff welfare, this is not ideal.”