It’s easy to look at Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham and see a modern-day fairytale—young love, Hollywood glam, a $3 million wedding.
But as tensions between Nicola and the Beckham family continue to make headlines, some can’t help but notice that we’ve kind of seen this story before.
In fact, if you rewind to Nicola’s relationship with Anwar Hadid back in 2017, it all feels oddly familiar.
Rewind to Her First High-Profile Romance
When Nicola, then 22 and still carving out a path in Hollywood, started dating 17-year-old Anwar Hadid (yes, younger again), she didn’t just dive into a romance—she dove headfirst into his family.
And it wasn’t just any family.
Anwar’s mom, Yolanda, was a star on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and his sisters Gigi and Bella were supermodel royalty.
Nicola wasted no time making herself a familiar face in the Hadid household.
Social media posts showed her bonding with Yolanda, posing for selfies in matching towels, and smiling alongside the Hadid sisters on red carpets.
For a rising star, it was a golden opportunity—being seen with the Hadids meant instant credibility and online clout.
But Not Everyone Was Smitten
While things looked rosy on Instagram, behind the scenes the Hadids reportedly grew concerned.
Sources say Yolanda and the girls were wary of the age gap and Nicola’s bold personality.
They worried Anwar, then a teenager, was getting pulled into a relationship that might not be the best for his emotional well-being.
As time went on, the family encouraged him to reconsider.
The dynamic—protective mom, impressionable son, ambitious girlfriend—might sound familiar.
And yes, many now draw parallels with how Victoria Beckham is said to view Nicola’s influence on Brooklyn.
From One Famous Family to the Next
After splitting with Anwar in May 2018, Nicola wasted no time moving on.
By Halloween 2019, she met Brooklyn Beckham at a party, and they went public a few months later.
They tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in April 2022, surrounded by celebrity guests and tabloid cameras.
But fast forward to 2025, and things aren’t looking so picture-perfect.
Brooklyn and Nicola were nowhere to be seen during any of David Beckham’s big 50th birthday celebrations—no appearance in Miami, no fishing trip in Scotland, no fancy dinner in London.
The Beckhams are reportedly livid, and insiders suggest the couple is drifting away from the close-knit family unit.
An Echo of the Past?
People who’ve followed Nicola’s career say her relationship history tells a clear story.
Both Anwar and Brooklyn were younger, easily influenced, and had powerful families with large social media footprints.
That combination—youth, fame, family status—seems to fit a pattern that some say Nicola gravitates toward.
And if the Hadids grew tired of Nicola’s assertiveness, could the same be happening with the Beckhams?
Glamorous Start, Modest Results
When Nicola was dating Anwar, she was trying to break into Hollywood.
She had just filmed a Hulu pilot, When The Streetlights Go On, where she played a troubled teen.
It didn’t make much of a splash, but her link to Anwar certainly raised her public profile.
It’s a dynamic that’s repeated with Brooklyn.
While her acting career includes small roles in projects like Transformers and Disney+’s Welcome to Chippendales, her biggest headlines these days tend to be about her personal life.
A History of Ambition and Control
Those close to Nicola say she likes being in control.
She’s cycled through top talent agencies—William Morris, Megan Silverman, and now Gersh—and reportedly doesn’t always take well to advice.
Her PR teams have also come and gone.
She’s been described as having a strong personality, shaped by a competitive upbringing in the billionaire Peltz household.
Her dad, Nelson, is a hard-nosed businessman who raised his 10 kids with discipline and ambition.
Nicola grew up with luxury, but also pressure—her childhood home had 27 bedrooms, and she was already acting on stage by 13.
Hollywood Hasn’t Fully Embraced Her
Despite the name recognition and money, Nicola hasn’t quite cracked the A-list.
Sources in the industry describe her as “difficult” or “entitled,” pointing to her tendency to go her own way rather than listen to seasoned professionals.
Even her real estate choices have raised eyebrows.
She and Brooklyn sold their $9 million LA mansion after a year because it “wasn’t big enough,” opting for a $22 million home instead.
For David and Victoria, who’ve tried to teach their kids financial values despite their wealth, this was a bit much.
She’s Fierce, But Is That the Problem?
Nicola’s mother, Claudia, is a former model who knows how tough the entertainment world can be. Friends say Nicola inherited her no-nonsense attitude.
With nine siblings, she learned early how to stand out—and being the youngest daughter, she was doted on, especially by her brothers.
That background shaped a woman who’s not afraid to take the lead.
And for a while, she seemed to enjoy the smaller, close-knit vibe of the Beckham family—especially bonding with little Harper.
But that closeness seems to have faded, replaced by growing distance and tension.
So Where Does That Leave Brooklyn?
Now, sources close to the Beckhams say David and Victoria have had enough.
While Nicola claims they wanted to celebrate David’s birthday privately, the family is said to be heartbroken over Brooklyn’s absence.
And if this rift keeps growing, it may take years to mend.
Nicola, meanwhile, appears focused on her own circle—her career, her choices, her family.
Whether that comes at the expense of her relationship with her in-laws remains to be seen.