In a revealing interview, Afton McKeith, the former partner of Brooklyn Beckham, has come forward to defend his recent explosive statement about his famous parents, Victoria and David Beckham. The 25-year-old actress, who previously dated the aspiring chef when they were younger, has asserted that Brooklyn was "telling the truth" in his bombshell six-page declaration, which detailed his grievances with the Beckham family.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
Afton McKeith, daughter of Scottish TV personality Gillian McKeith, spoke exclusively to The Sun, shedding light on Brooklyn's challenging upbringing. She revealed that the 26-year-old struggled immensely with life in the public eye as his childhood became inextricably linked to the Beckham family empire. "A lot has gone on over the years," Afton explained. "This has not just happened suddenly."
She elaborated on the difficulties Brooklyn faced, stating: "Brooklyn was telling the truth in his post. It was hard for him growing up. There are two sides to every story, but I know growing up in the spotlight was challenging for him."
Anxiety and Pressure
According to Afton, Brooklyn suffered from significant anxiety throughout his youth, feeling that the world was "constantly waiting for him to muck up." She described him as often appearing "frantic" and "anxious," though she insisted he never displayed anger, claiming that wasn't part of his personality.
The actress revealed that Brooklyn would frequently become "upset" when having his picture taken and often required security, highlighting the intense scrutiny he faced from a young age. Despite having nannies and siblings around, Afton claimed he felt "isolated," particularly when his parents were frequently away from home.
Parental Protection and Public Brand
Standing firmly in Brooklyn's corner, Afton suggested that his parents "could have protected him more" and should have considered the "impact" of the Beckham public brand on their son's wellbeing. She acknowledged that Brooklyn inevitably found himself in the spotlight due to his family's fame, but maintained that more could have been done to shield him from its harsher effects.
Addressing Speculation
Since Brooklyn shared his scathing statement, rumours have circulated suggesting that his wife, Nicola Peltz, 31, might have written the post on his behalf. Afton McKeith firmly dismissed this speculation, insisting that Brooklyn wrote the statement himself. She described him as intelligent and claimed he has simply "had enough" of the family dynamics.
Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Brooklyn Beckham and Afton McKeith for further comment on these developments.
The Original Statement
Afton's interview comes in the wake of Brooklyn Beckham's detailed six-page statement, in which he declared he has no interest in reconciling with his family, including his father David. The statement contained numerous allegations against his parents, particularly focusing on his mother Victoria.
Among the most striking claims was the accusation that Victoria "hijacked" his first dance at his wedding to Nicola Peltz, dancing "very inappropriately on me in front of everyone." Brooklyn also alleged that his parents have been trying to ruin his relationship since before his wedding and attempted to pressure him into signing away the rights to his name.
Family Dynamics and Public Perception
Brooklyn's statement painted a picture of a family where "Brand Beckham comes first," with family love being measured by social media posts and public appearances. He claimed that "the performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into."
The aspiring chef revealed that since stepping away from his family, his lifelong anxiety has disappeared, stating: "For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief."
Social Media Reactions
Following the release of Brooklyn's statement, social media platforms have been abuzz with discussions about the family feud. A clip from October 2022 showing an interaction between Nicola Peltz and Victoria Beckham during Paris Fashion Week has resurfaced on TikTok, with users divided in their interpretations of the encounter.
Some commentators criticised Nicola's behaviour in the video, while others defended her, creating a polarised online discussion about family dynamics and appropriate behaviour in public settings.
Moving Forward
Despite the ongoing family drama, Brooklyn and Nicola were recently spotted enjoying a carefree walk with their dog in Malibu, appearing happy and relaxed with their arms around one another. This marked their first public outing since releasing the statement denouncing his family and pledging allegiance to his wife.
As the Beckham family feud continues to unfold publicly, Afton McKeith's support adds another layer to the complex narrative of growing up in one of Britain's most famous families and the psychological impact of lifelong fame.
