Advertisement

Division Among The Beckhams - The Psychology of Fame and Family

It’s the family feud everyone is talking about — Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and the very public b...

Share this article

02.00 21 Jan 2026


Division Among The Beckhams - The Psychology of Fame and Family


Listen to this episode


Share this article

02.00 21 Jan 2026


It’s the family feud everyone is talking about — Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and the very public breakdown within the Beckham dynasty. 

But is this simply a family dispute, amplified by the glare of celebrity? 

Or does it point to something more familiar — the kind of toxicity often associated with fame, power, and image? 

Away from the celebrity of this story, we want to focus on the impact on the people involved. 

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham took to Instagram this week to air his grievances about his upbringing — going as far as to say he does not want to reconcile with his parents. 

What stands out isn’t the fame, but the language he uses: control, anxiety, and a sense of relief after stepping away 

It’s language that suggests reflection and self-examination — and possibly some therapy speak — not simply a public rebellion 

He describes growing up in an environment where image mattered and where boundaries were blurred, if not obscured  

He also talks about the freedom he feels since he distanced himself from his parents. 

Beyond the headlines what happens to a person who grows up without privacy, and with expectations placed on them before they’ve fully formed an identity? 

And more broadly, when someone walks away from their family to protect their mental health, how should we understand that decision? 

To explore that, Tara is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly


Read more about

Newstalk Daily

Related Episodes

1 in 4 workers would run out o...

00:05:39

1 in 4 workers would run out of money in a month if they lost their job. How can we better manage our savings?

The Hard Shoulder

00:05:39


Minister for Transport Darragh...

00:18:22

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, on government plans to scrap the airport cap, pay increases for senior civil servants and rolling out contact payments on public transport

The Hard Shoulder

00:18:22


Should we do something to save...

00:11:55

Should we do something to save the nightclub as more and more close their doors?

The Hard Shoulder

00:11:55


A new report says more than ha...

00:16:50

A new report says more than half of children are at risk from online contact with a stranger

The Hard Shoulder

00:16:50