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The Victoria Beckham documentary - is this a weird perspective of mine?

335 replies

Jessekate · 08/10/2025 22:02

Just reading about tonight's premiere of VB's documentary and seeing the Beckhams lined up ready to watch it, and all I can think of is how awful it is for the kids (and particularly Harper) having to watch all this.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we shouldn't ever be vulnerable in front of our kids and I know they have to understand the real world etc etc, but it just seems like such a lot for a 14 year old to have to absorb about a parent. So much vulnerability, all the stuff about eating (or lack of), VB being bullied as a child, her low self esteem. I look at my DD and DS (13 and 17) and think how worried they would be to hear all that about me and how anxious and protective it would make them feel, and in turn, how guilty I would feel. I don't think it's something that any amount of material wealth could compensate for. It would have such an impact on them, and not in a good way, I think.

I applaud VB for being so open, but part of me thinks it might have been a documentary to have done when all her kids were older...at least well out of their teens.

I also remember watching the David documentary and they were talking about how footie fans used to shout 'Posh spice takes it up the a*e' and again, all I could think of was....your kids are going to watch this. I was cringing on my sofa!!

I'm late 40s so maybe a bit old fashioned, but to me a lot about parenting is about having very filtered conversations in front of kids, even (or maybe especially) teenagers.

I don't mean to sound sanctimonious, although I probably do, lol! Just interested to hear other viewpoints, as everyone is going on about how amazing the documentary will be, but it can't be an easy watch for everyone in that family.

OP posts:
PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 09:46

AgapanthusPink · 10/10/2025 09:37

Yes I assumed the ridiculous accent was due to insecurity.

There is no doubt she is a hard worker but she doesn’t really acknowledge that her connections and husband’s millions have made it happen. I would quite fancy ‘going in to fashion’ (and I can draw) but I can’t just call up Roland Mouret and ask him to help and get my husband to pay. I did laugh when it turned out she was spending ridiculous amounts of money on ridiculous things such as flowers and that was why the business was going under. She just says ‘I didn’t know’ I don’t know anything about business’ and I thought that maybe some of the money would have been better spent learning about business than just ‘draping’ material over models. Also telling that she admitted everyone was scared to tell her ‘no’.

Show quote history

How different is it, on the business side, as being a particularly dedicated & tenacious angel investor in a field you’re passionate about? Many of those will have an MBA.

Bruisername · 10/10/2025 09:49

Good leadership involves understanding your area of weakness and letting other people fill those gaps. In this case anything financial seems to have been a massive blind spot

arcticpandas · 10/10/2025 09:53

I think it's better that she's open about how only eating steamed vegetables and fish every day is part of an eating disorder and not normal. I rather she went out with that than telling her daughter that it's normal to eat so little and have so little body fat as she has. Her daughter looks perfectly normal so atleast she hasn't taken after her mum's starvation diet.

Fizbosshoes · 10/10/2025 10:00

I think a few years ago, she won some entrepreneurs award , which I felt was ridiculous. She like pp have said was able to set up a business because of her name, and who she knows, without really have the necessary talent - or it seems, business acumen.
I think she's pretty ambitious and tenacious but most start ups wouldn't have millions behind them to shore it up, when it starts losing money.

Unhinderedd · 10/10/2025 10:26

I have watched both docs. I wasn’t a fan of SGs or football thru the ‘90s but now appreciate how significant both V&D were in media and culturally at that time as although I would never have read anything about them I seemed to have absorbed a lot - but they did saturate the media.

I don’t think that they can be compared to the Oliver’s and Ramseys as both J and G carried on growing their original careers whereas V&D were trying to generate cash with relentless successive product collabs - and they needed the whole MSM and SM to grow their personal brands to attract collaborators - and they needed their children’s visibility to create the family brand Beckham.

From the DB doc I took away the sense of a woman who had been absolutely blindsided by DB numerous affairs. VB had a very stable upbringing, still very family orientated where loyalty and marriage were core. She was left floundering after every single spontaneous career decision DB seemingly took that she would have to uproot her family to accommodate and whilst she is making these sacrifices and disrupting the DCs young lives - he was shagging around throughout.

She is not very emotionally resilient or sophisticated - she might well have been happier married to the electrician she was engaged to at 18 living near her parents. I think she has suffered a lot. I think DB is dismissive, cold and selfish and she needed somewhere to find her self respect after her choice to stay with the serial cheater. She found this in the business which DB was happy enough to fund for 17 years despite it running up debts of £38m. She also strikes me as someone so ‘proud’ that they will
always cover up the marriage issues which everyone else can see and her business was a helpful distraction for her.

The DB doc I sensed she was emotionally fragile, desperate and broken (understandably) from her husband’s infidelities. She knows the family story is blighted in reality but will continue with posting fake SM stuff (like many people
in that emotional space).

I think her doc was to redress the balance and show her achievements over their 25 year marriage - and the reality sadly is they are not what she thinks they are - a successful fashion house against the odds. The business has only been turned around very recently after input from other talented people and huge cash injections.

I think the next few years will be interesting, post meno, grown up kids - what’s she doing it all for now? The split with BB must absolutely break her heart and I can’t see she’s over the moon with the teenager son who is dating a 30 year old woman. She will probably be a grandmother by both sons in the next year or so.

I think she is a nice person whose only fault IMHO is clinging on to DB and covering up his dark side. That has taken its toll I fear on her and on them all.

crossedlines · 10/10/2025 10:53

opencecilgee · 10/10/2025 09:45

VB is a very dull person

hard working, resilient, savvy, yes

but by god, she must be boring to live with

We can’t really know if she’s dull or not. But I do think D and V are total opposites in that he undeniably had an incredible talent for football (yes he worked hard at it but the raw talent was there) but once his career was over, he’s basically all about living an indulgent, hedonistic life. Holidays, vanity projects, apparently he dabbles in bee keeping and cookery … In contrast VB doesnt appear to have any natural talent (certainly not singing, dancing, business acumen or actual design talent) but pushes herself incredibly hard, almost seems to punish herself with her relentless schedule and austere eating habits.

They really are opposites. Not necessarily a bad thing in itself (maybe that’s part of the attraction) but they really are extremes

Gowlett · 10/10/2025 11:01

I think Brooklyn was bullied by the press.
Some say Posh leaned on him at home…

He had to break away, it was inevitable.
Of course he trades on Beckham name.

However, he’ll be back after breathing space.
The other kids are “just nepo babies” too.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:10

arcticpandas · 10/10/2025 09:53

I think it's better that she's open about how only eating steamed vegetables and fish every day is part of an eating disorder and not normal. I rather she went out with that than telling her daughter that it's normal to eat so little and have so little body fat as she has. Her daughter looks perfectly normal so atleast she hasn't taken after her mum's starvation diet.

Sadly, I feel, this will almost certainly change.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:18

Unhinderedd · 10/10/2025 10:26

I have watched both docs. I wasn’t a fan of SGs or football thru the ‘90s but now appreciate how significant both V&D were in media and culturally at that time as although I would never have read anything about them I seemed to have absorbed a lot - but they did saturate the media.

I don’t think that they can be compared to the Oliver’s and Ramseys as both J and G carried on growing their original careers whereas V&D were trying to generate cash with relentless successive product collabs - and they needed the whole MSM and SM to grow their personal brands to attract collaborators - and they needed their children’s visibility to create the family brand Beckham.

From the DB doc I took away the sense of a woman who had been absolutely blindsided by DB numerous affairs. VB had a very stable upbringing, still very family orientated where loyalty and marriage were core. She was left floundering after every single spontaneous career decision DB seemingly took that she would have to uproot her family to accommodate and whilst she is making these sacrifices and disrupting the DCs young lives - he was shagging around throughout.

She is not very emotionally resilient or sophisticated - she might well have been happier married to the electrician she was engaged to at 18 living near her parents. I think she has suffered a lot. I think DB is dismissive, cold and selfish and she needed somewhere to find her self respect after her choice to stay with the serial cheater. She found this in the business which DB was happy enough to fund for 17 years despite it running up debts of £38m. She also strikes me as someone so ‘proud’ that they will
always cover up the marriage issues which everyone else can see and her business was a helpful distraction for her.

The DB doc I sensed she was emotionally fragile, desperate and broken (understandably) from her husband’s infidelities. She knows the family story is blighted in reality but will continue with posting fake SM stuff (like many people
in that emotional space).

I think her doc was to redress the balance and show her achievements over their 25 year marriage - and the reality sadly is they are not what she thinks they are - a successful fashion house against the odds. The business has only been turned around very recently after input from other talented people and huge cash injections.

I think the next few years will be interesting, post meno, grown up kids - what’s she doing it all for now? The split with BB must absolutely break her heart and I can’t see she’s over the moon with the teenager son who is dating a 30 year old woman. She will probably be a grandmother by both sons in the next year or so.

I think she is a nice person whose only fault IMHO is clinging on to DB and covering up his dark side. That has taken its toll I fear on her and on them all.

I agree with all you’ve said. How numerous are his affairs really though & do they continue? Beyond Loos everything conjecture.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:22

opencecilgee · 10/10/2025 09:45

VB is a very dull person

hard working, resilient, savvy, yes

but by god, she must be boring to live with

I’d find DB dull. Beekeeping & gardening chat for a bit but how is he on world history, politics, pithy, witty conversation? Does he have intellect? If that gummy bear joke passes for his clever humour, I’ll pass. He was good to look at in his youth but IMO the tats are not ageing well.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:24

Unhinderedd · 10/10/2025 10:26

I have watched both docs. I wasn’t a fan of SGs or football thru the ‘90s but now appreciate how significant both V&D were in media and culturally at that time as although I would never have read anything about them I seemed to have absorbed a lot - but they did saturate the media.

I don’t think that they can be compared to the Oliver’s and Ramseys as both J and G carried on growing their original careers whereas V&D were trying to generate cash with relentless successive product collabs - and they needed the whole MSM and SM to grow their personal brands to attract collaborators - and they needed their children’s visibility to create the family brand Beckham.

From the DB doc I took away the sense of a woman who had been absolutely blindsided by DB numerous affairs. VB had a very stable upbringing, still very family orientated where loyalty and marriage were core. She was left floundering after every single spontaneous career decision DB seemingly took that she would have to uproot her family to accommodate and whilst she is making these sacrifices and disrupting the DCs young lives - he was shagging around throughout.

She is not very emotionally resilient or sophisticated - she might well have been happier married to the electrician she was engaged to at 18 living near her parents. I think she has suffered a lot. I think DB is dismissive, cold and selfish and she needed somewhere to find her self respect after her choice to stay with the serial cheater. She found this in the business which DB was happy enough to fund for 17 years despite it running up debts of £38m. She also strikes me as someone so ‘proud’ that they will
always cover up the marriage issues which everyone else can see and her business was a helpful distraction for her.

The DB doc I sensed she was emotionally fragile, desperate and broken (understandably) from her husband’s infidelities. She knows the family story is blighted in reality but will continue with posting fake SM stuff (like many people
in that emotional space).

I think her doc was to redress the balance and show her achievements over their 25 year marriage - and the reality sadly is they are not what she thinks they are - a successful fashion house against the odds. The business has only been turned around very recently after input from other talented people and huge cash injections.

I think the next few years will be interesting, post meno, grown up kids - what’s she doing it all for now? The split with BB must absolutely break her heart and I can’t see she’s over the moon with the teenager son who is dating a 30 year old woman. She will probably be a grandmother by both sons in the next year or so.

I think she is a nice person whose only fault IMHO is clinging on to DB and covering up his dark side. That has taken its toll I fear on her and on them all.

I didn’t really buy the only reason for the investor’s incredible & rapid change of heart was that his wife loved her dresses.

Toomanywaterbottles · 10/10/2025 11:30

PinkPanther57 · 09/10/2025 23:31

Her parents remortgaging their house to send her to theatre school quite something, especially as one of 3. It’s interesting she didn’t seemingly become a ‘Dance Mum’ with Harper, it often follows.

Probably because Harper herself has no interest/dedication/talent in dancing. It’s an extremely tough world.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:34

RosePetalsRose · 10/10/2025 09:29

Their home seems so depressing. No fun and laughter.
When you look at Stacey and Joe how warm and friendly their family and home come across.

the Beckhams especially Victoria have forgotten where they’ve come from.
she is so desperate to be in the upperclass fashion world. It is not nice to see.

i do feel sorry for her kids.
At least with Wayne Rooneys kids they are grounded.

If Anna W was ‘snooty’ and frankly rude about my collection for years before deeming to make a sunglassed, brief appearance I’d want to say F you. Trying to beg approval from those you think have higher status unhealthy re: personal boundaries. It’s the business though.

Both DB & VB want to be upper middle class - as per Geri. It’s like the lottery millionaire that flaunts the Coutts card, they get it wrong but are on a learning curve. VB realised the tats didn’t fit image. DV likes aristos & VB misses that developing cultural capital & interest in the arts for example trumps a faux posh accent. That truly confident insouciance might come through in Harper who might push an educational route for own children.

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:41

Toomanywaterbottles · 10/10/2025 11:30

Probably because Harper herself has no interest/dedication/talent in dancing. It’s an extremely tough world.

Show quote history

True but many ‘dance Mums’ push regardless & fair play to VB for not trying to live vicariously through Harper in this regard.

I think the better theatre/dance schools have got more competitive & I doubt as a young girl VB would pass muster for Tring Park etc. How demoralising to continue at her dance school to be told you had to be at the back, invisible & brief. Seeing it through not a bad thing & led to Spice Girls but was her Dad’s insistence she stuck it out right? She was very unhappy she says. If my parents remortgaged to send me & I knew I didn’t really have the talent to be there, well that would create a huge pressure.

crossedlines · 10/10/2025 12:04

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 11:22

I’d find DB dull. Beekeeping & gardening chat for a bit but how is he on world history, politics, pithy, witty conversation? Does he have intellect? If that gummy bear joke passes for his clever humour, I’ll pass. He was good to look at in his youth but IMO the tats are not ageing well.

Show quote history

I doubt either D or V have anything interesting to say on really important matters!

you’re right that when younger, D was incredibly good looking. I think that’s always been part of the problem, that he was far better looking than her - nothing wrong with her looks back then btw, perfectly pleasant looking but nowhere near his league. And looks clearly matter a lot to her. It feels like she’s always felt insecure about that, as if she knows there are far better looking women out there and she’s terrified to lose him. Really sad that in a long term relationship of over 25 years the superficial stuff still seems to be paramount.

Mymanyellow · 10/10/2025 12:07

My problem is that it’s all so fake. She was in a girl band , very successful girl band, he was a very successful footballer. Both careers are relatively short lived. No it’s all just fluff and fakery.

Bruisername · 10/10/2025 12:08

He’s a serial cheat so it’s got to be tough on her but she clearly has made a deal with the devil

a bit like Brian and Jennifer in the archers 🤣

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 12:13

crossedlines · 10/10/2025 12:04

I doubt either D or V have anything interesting to say on really important matters!

you’re right that when younger, D was incredibly good looking. I think that’s always been part of the problem, that he was far better looking than her - nothing wrong with her looks back then btw, perfectly pleasant looking but nowhere near his league. And looks clearly matter a lot to her. It feels like she’s always felt insecure about that, as if she knows there are far better looking women out there and she’s terrified to lose him. Really sad that in a long term relationship of over 25 years the superficial stuff still seems to be paramount.

Show quote history

The power dynamic got more unequal too when his earnings vastly outstripped hers. Being able to buy ‘Beckingham Palace’ outright when so young increased her soft power, or not so soft power, back then.

opencecilgee · 10/10/2025 12:20

Both of them made some cringey jokes

him: gummy bear
her: David’s cock

PinkPanther57 · 10/10/2025 12:20

Bruisername · 10/10/2025 12:08

He’s a serial cheat so it’s got to be tough on her but she clearly has made a deal with the devil

a bit like Brian and Jennifer in the archers 🤣

Where is the evidence for the continued, serial cheating? Lots of rumours.

opencecilgee · 10/10/2025 12:24

The fashion business is still making a loss

The make up/beauty brand makes a profit

Bruisername · 10/10/2025 12:24

I know people (obvs I’m not a trustworthy source!) but there have been things that have come out - a few mentioned upthread

they have been very clever at curating their image and involving the press so that the press doesn’t expose the secrets. They have a carefully curated image but the few things that have leaked out tend to paint DB in a bad light (the honours email, the nanny, the school teacher etc etc). I think if the RL thing happened today there would be a very different reaction

i imagine if they split he would end up coming across poorly whereas think she could do ok still

Munichfam5 · 10/10/2025 12:41

I was really looking forward to watching VB documentary - but sadly it was incredibly dull.

VB now has this practiced posh / occasional transatlantic accent and has been so media trained , that she speaks slowly with lots of pauses.

The documentary felt false and rehearsed , basically a PR film for her brand. Very disappointing

Homer28 · 10/10/2025 12:50

What is the general consensus on the Beckham marriage?

I always hear these stories of them having an ‘arrangement’ but you would think when you have that level of wealth you would also seek to have a meaningful relationship which they could have if they split.

I don’t see why it would mean they couldn’t still have success either.

Gowlett · 10/10/2025 12:53

Homer28 · 10/10/2025 12:50

What is the general consensus on the Beckham marriage?

I always hear these stories of them having an ‘arrangement’ but you would think when you have that level of wealth you would also seek to have a meaningful relationship which they could have if they split.

I don’t see why it would mean they couldn’t still have success either.

She still makes gags (pardon the pun) about Dave’s big willy…