Fashion icon Victoria Beckham has revealed the profound psychological impact of relentless public scrutiny about her weight and appearance, particularly following the birth of her first child. The celebrated designer, who rose to fame as Posh Spice, described how being asked to step on scales during a television appearance just six months after having her son Brooklyn triggered years of self-doubt and unhealthy behaviour.
Television Moment That Changed Everything
In her candid Netflix documentary series that premiered in October 2025, the 51-year-old reflected on that pivotal moment that continues to resonate decades later. "'Get on those scales' on television. 'Have you lost the weight?'" Beckham recalled, describing how the public demand for her to conform to unrealistic post-pregnancy expectations affected her deeply.
"We laugh about it and we joke about it when we're on television," she continued. "But I was really, really young, and that hurts. I really started to doubt myself and not like myself, and because I let it affect me, I didn't know what I saw when I looked in the mirror... you lose all sense of reality."
The Cycle of Criticism and Control
Beckham detailed how the constant media attention created a damaging cycle where she felt compelled to exert extreme control over her appearance. "I've been everything from porky posh to skinny posh," she revealed, referencing the various labels attached to her throughout her career. "It's been a lot, and that's hard. I had no control over what was being written about me, pictures that were being taken. And I suppose I wanted to control that."
This desire for control manifested in unhealthy ways, as she admitted: "I could control it with the clothing. I could control my weight and I was controlling it in an incredibly unhealthy way... it really affects you when you're being told constantly you're not good enough."
David Beckham's Perspective on Changing Times
Her husband, football legend Sir David Beckham, provided additional context about the cultural environment of the 1990s and early 2000s that normalised such criticism. "People felt that it was okay to criticise a woman for her weight, for what she's doing, for what she's wearing," he observed in the documentary.
"There were a lot of things happening in TV then that won't happen now, that can't happen now," Sir David added, highlighting how societal attitudes toward body shaming have evolved, albeit gradually.
The Personal Toll of Public Scrutiny
The former England captain also shared how the relentless criticism affected their private life, noting that the cheerful, relaxed Victoria he knew at home began to change. "My Victoria that I knew sits at home in a tracksuit, smiling, laughing, having a glass of wine that started to go purely because of the criticism that she was getting," he revealed, emphasising the disconnect between her public persona and private reality.
Documentary Explores Broader Journey
The three-part Netflix series 'Victoria Beckham' explores more than just these difficult experiences. It covers her early years, her meteoric rise with the Spice Girls, and her preparations for a major fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, providing a comprehensive portrait of her multifaceted career.
By sharing these vulnerable moments, Beckham joins a growing number of public figures speaking out about the damaging effects of body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards, particularly for women in the public eye.
