Cruz Beckham’s photoshoot for the Spring issue of i-D magazine has not gone down well with fans. The youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham stripped down to boxers for magazine cover, which has caused a stir among social media users. Cruz turned 17 on Sunday.
- Victoria Beckham has also faced backlash on Instagram for posting the candid photoshoot of her son.
- The designer and singer posted the photo with the caption “Big first day as a 17-year-old!”
- One of the photos shows a pink-haired Cruz sitting shirtless in white boxers, trying to create the iconic photoshoot of his father for Arena Homme Magazine in 2000. He reportedly provided his own statement jewellery for the shoot, which included two silver chains, an earring, and a selection of rings.
Victoria’s Instagram followers found Cruz’s snaps “disturbing” and “inappropriate”.
Some fans of the Beckham family have also said that the photoshoot “sexualises” the teenager.
Also Read | "Pam & Tommy" director Lake Bell: Was more invested in the humanisation of Pamela Anderson
One fan took to micro-blogging site Twitter and wrote: “There are several things disturbingly inappropriate about Cruz Beckham’s i-D magazine shoot.”
“Cruz Beckham half-naked on the cover of a magazine at 17 is such a double-standard. Imagine the outrage if it was a 17-year-old girl,” wrote another one.
While someone else wrote: "I don't wanna see a 17-year-old like that. It wasn't toxic... just more of the fact I remember all the boys being born. They've gone from babies to this and it's uncomfortable to adjust to it, isn't it?”
Commenting on the above message, someone said: "Yep, I agree, imagine if it was a girl! Everyone would call it out, these pictures are not in good taste for a 17-year-old.”
A fan wrote on Victoria’s Instagram, “Not a good message!”
“Stop sexualising children!” wrote another one.
One person commented: “Proud of what, you be ashamed of sexualising your young son.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.