Today : Jan 10, 2026
Arts & Culture
09 January 2026

Beckham Family Rift Deepens Amid Weddings And New Ambitions

Victoria Beckham’s fashion triumph at Holly Ramsay’s wedding and Jackie Apostel’s creative leap unfold as Brooklyn Beckham remains estranged from his famous family.

In the world of celebrity families, drama is never far from the surface—and the Beckham clan is proving no exception. As 2026 unfolds, new details have emerged about the ongoing rift between David and Victoria Beckham and their eldest son Brooklyn Beckham, painting a picture of strained relationships, public gestures, and an ever-present spotlight. At the same time, the family’s extended circle is making headlines for reasons both creative and contentious, with Cruz Beckham’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel setting her sights on the world of musical theater and Victoria Beckham’s fashion label taking center stage at a high-profile wedding.

Jackie Apostel, the Brazilian-German singer-songwriter and music producer who has been dating Cruz Beckham for about two years, kicked off the new year by sharing her ambitious goals for 2026. In an Instagram video posted on January 8, Jackie, 29, revealed her dream of writing a musical—a project she has long wanted to pursue. "I really want to write a musical and I've wanted to write a musical for a really long time," she told her followers. "I know it sounds lame and I know a lot of musicals are [explicit] but mine will not be. And I've always loved musicals. I want to write, you know, something as timeless and iconic as Grease or something you know Disney Pixar vibes. I would love that as well. I'm a huge fan of like Rio. The music is just unbelievable. In a dream world. I think 2026 is the year you make things happen and you expect the unexpected."

Her fans were quick to offer encouragement, flooding her social media with messages like "Go for it beautiful girl…. remember, you can do whatever you want to do! I'm excited for you," and "WRITE THAT MUSICAL." Jackie’s aspirations hint at a potential foray into territory familiar to Nicola Peltz, Brooklyn Beckham’s wife, who has made her mark as an actress in films such as The Last Airbender and Transformers: Age of Extinction. But while Jackie is looking forward, the Beckham family has been grappling with unresolved tensions that have only intensified over the holiday season.

The family’s internal strife became public late last year when Cruz, 20, confirmed on Instagram that Brooklyn, 26, had blocked his parents, David and Victoria, as well as his siblings Romeo and Harper, on social media. Cruz wrote, "My mum and dad would never unfollow their son... let's get the facts right. They woke up blocked... as did I." The move came amid reports that Brooklyn had also rebuffed attempts at reconciliation from his parents. According to The Sun, David Beckham extended a secret olive branch to Brooklyn just weeks before Christmas 2025, inviting him and Nicola to celebrate his knighthood investiture in November. Despite these overtures, Brooklyn did not attend, instead spending the holidays with Nicola’s family in Florida.

David’s efforts to mend fences have not been limited to grand gestures. He reportedly posted a series of family photos—including Brooklyn—on Instagram to celebrate the New Year, a move interpreted as another attempt to reach out. Yet, Brooklyn did not reciprocate, remaining distant from his family’s festivities. Friends of the Beckhams have suggested that Brooklyn views such invitations as "gaslighting" or PR opportunities, while David simply wants to see his son on significant occasions. The emotional toll is evident, with sources telling The Sun that "Brooklyn is navigating this soul-crushing family feud as best he can but it isn’t easy on anyone. Nicola remains his absolute rock."

The feud, which reportedly began almost four years ago, is said to have roots in a complicated web of relationships. Some claim it started after Brooklyn’s brother, Romeo, began dating Brooklyn’s ex-girlfriend Kim Turnbull. While the Beckhams deny any romantic involvement between Brooklyn and Kim, they reportedly blame Nicola for the ongoing difficulties. The situation was further exacerbated by the events surrounding Brooklyn and Nicola’s April 2022 wedding. Victoria Beckham had been expected to design Nicola’s wedding dress, but Nicola ultimately chose a bespoke Valentino gown—a decision widely cited as the catalyst for the family rift. Although Nicola has denied any deliberate snub, citing logistical issues, the episode left lasting scars. Victoria was reportedly devastated, especially after singer Marc Anthony, who performed at the wedding, described her—not the bride—as "the most beautiful woman in the room." Both Brooklyn and Nicola are said to have cried on their wedding day, and relations have not recovered since.

Efforts at reconciliation have been sporadic and unsuccessful. After a brief period of public support—Nicola attended Victoria’s fashion show in Paris, and Victoria appeared at the premiere of Nicola’s film Lola—communication broke down entirely. As of January 2026, Brooklyn and Nicola have not spoken to David and Victoria for 13 months. They also skipped David’s star-studded 50th birthday celebrations in May 2025, and recent attempts at private reconciliation via text have gone unanswered. While Brooklyn has maintained contact with his grandparents, reaching out to them directly over the past six months, the main family unit remains fractured.

Amidst the ongoing drama, Victoria Beckham’s professional life has continued to flourish. On December 27, 2025, her design talents were showcased at the wedding of Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty at Bath Abbey. Holly, 26, wore four different bridal looks over two days, including one gown designed by Victoria Beckham. Bridesmaids Megan and Tilly Ramsay, along with Bethany Peaty, donned coordinated red satin slip dresses from Victoria’s collection, while the bride completed her look with platform heels reminiscent of those worn by Nicola at her own wedding. Victoria herself attended in a teal gown from her label, and the bride’s mother, Tana Ramsay, wore a forest green Victoria Beckham dress. Even Victoria’s youngest daughter, Harper, 14, sported a sleek navy dress by her mother, further cementing the label’s presence at the event.

The wedding has fueled speculation that Holly Ramsay has become something of a surrogate daughter-in-law to Victoria amid her estrangement from Brooklyn and Nicola. Holly was pictured arm in arm with Victoria at her hen do in November, echoing earlier photos of Victoria and Nicola during happier times. The event also saw David and Victoria Beckham stand in for Adam Peaty’s family during wedding photographs—a move that reportedly upset Adam’s relatives and highlighted the complexities of both families’ dynamics. Brooklyn’s absence from the wedding did not go unnoticed, with sources suggesting he stayed away to avoid drawing attention from the couple due to ongoing family tensions.

As the Beckhams continue to navigate their personal and public lives under intense scrutiny, the coming year promises more twists and turns. Whether the family can bridge their divides remains to be seen, but for now, their story is a reminder that even the most glamorous families face challenges behind closed doors.