Brooklyn Beckham Erases 'Dad' Tattoo in Latest Public Snub to Parents
Brooklyn Beckham, the 26-year-old son of football legend David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, has taken a stark public step that underscores the ongoing rupture within the famous family. Photographed in Los Angeles with his wife, Nicola Peltz, Brooklyn was seen with the word "Dad" deliberately erased from an anchor tattoo on his right arm. The original inscription has been replaced by three nondescript shapes, a move that sources describe as a painful rejection of familial ties.
The Tattoo Transformation and Its Symbolic Weight
The tattoo in question had previously featured the heartfelt words "Dad" and "Love you Bust," with "Buster" being David Beckham's long-standing nickname for his eldest son. According to a source who spoke to The Sun, Brooklyn opted for laser treatment to remove the writing. "Brooklyn's had laser treatment on the writing. He wanted it gone," the insider revealed. The same source elaborated on the emotional backdrop, stating, "There is so much hurt and pain on his side, it would not be genuine to keep such a tribute on his body."
While the word "Dad" has been completely obscured, the phrase "Love you Bust" remains faintly visible, though noticeably faded. This partial erasure adds a layer of complexity to the gesture, hinting at unresolved feelings amidst the estrangement.
A Pattern of Cover-Ups and Public Accusations
This latest alteration is widely interpreted as an escalation in Brooklyn's estrangement from his family, which includes his mother Victoria, brothers Romeo and Cruz, and sister Harper. It follows a series of damning social media posts last month, where Brooklyn made it clear he has no intention of reconciling. He accused his parents of leaking negative stories about him and his 31-year-old wife, Nicola Peltz.
The cover-up of the "Dad" tattoo mirrors an earlier decision to obscure a chest tattoo dedicated to Victoria. That ink, which read "mama's boy" and dated back to 2018, was replaced last year with a floral design believed to reference Nicola Peltz's bridal bouquet. At the time, this change sparked speculation about family tensions, which Brooklyn later addressed directly.
In a statement shared last month, Brooklyn expressed profound discomfort, saying he had "never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life." He leveled serious accusations against his parents, including claims of "bribery" and of telling his wife that "she's not family." One specific allegation centered on Victoria allegedly hijacking Brooklyn and Nicola's first dance at their April 2022 wedding with what he described as "inappropriate" behavior.
Contrasting Responses: Erasure Versus Endurance
While Brooklyn removes tributes to his parents, David Beckham has continued to display his own. This week, the former England captain posted a photograph that clearly showed his "Buster" tattoo on his neck, originally inked in 2015 in honor of his son. A source noted the stark contrast, saying, "To see Brooklyn covering up Victoria's tattoo, and now the one he had for his dad, will sting. It seems very cruel and will add salt to the wounds."
Brooklyn, who boasts over 100 tattoos, many dedicated to Nicola Peltz—including a depiction of her eyes on the back of his neck—has described body art as his preferred method of expressing love and loyalty. For those close to the Beckhams, the decision to erase familial tributes, rather than add to them, stands as one of the clearest visual signals yet of how far the rift has traveled, marking a poignant chapter in the family's very public saga.
