A former girlfriend of Brooklyn Beckham has said he long found life within a high-profile family challenging, following his recent public statement about being estranged from his parents, Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham. The 26-year-old made the comments on social media earlier this week, accusing his family of prioritising their public image and denying that his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, influenced his remarks.
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Afton McKeith, a childhood friend and former partner of Beckham, said his difficulties did not arise suddenly and described his upbringing in the public eye as demanding. Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, she said growing up under constant scrutiny had taken a toll on him, adding that he experienced anxiety and felt under pressure not to make mistakes.
McKeith also said Beckham struggled with being photographed in public and often felt unsettled by the attention. She claimed that despite having siblings and support staff around him, he felt isolated at times, particularly when his parents were frequently away due to work commitments.
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In his statement, Beckham said he no longer wishes to reconcile with his family and rejected suggestions that he was being controlled by others. He said he had remained silent for years in an effort to keep matters private, but felt compelled to speak out after what he described as continued media briefings, stating that he was now standing up for himself.
