Victoria Beckham’s name has carried cultural capital since the mid-’90s. First, in the music industry where she and her fellow Spice Girls transformed pop, ushered in an era of “girl power,” and, decades later, still maintain the record as the best-selling girl group of all time. Then, in fashion, where her namesake brand has made waves on the runways in Paris, New York, and London and whose chic, minimalist designs continue to be worn by some of the most prominent and stylish women globally, including Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Next, Beckham branched into the makeup and skin care industry, creating luxury products under the Victoria Beckham Beauty brand. And while building several businesses and careers for herself, she also has been raising a family with her husband, football legend David Beckham.
For one of the most written-about women in the world, the time has come for her to tell her own story. “I have been keeping my head down and really focusing on the product, whether that’s fashion or beauty, so that the product spoke for itself,” says Beckham. “I feel that it’s only quite recently that I am confident enough to talk about my time in the Spice Girls, to talk about my family, to talk about my journey, and I feel that only now can I do that with confidence, knowing it’s not going to have an effect on the brand that I’ve spent two decades building. I’ve now earned my place in this industry, and I have to work hard to maintain that.”
“I went into the documentary process a control freak, and I’ve come out the other end a reformed control freak, because I haven’t had that control,” Beckham said to Krista Smith in the podcast Skip Intro. But part of that release was putting her trust in director Nadia Hallgren (Becoming), who followed Beckham on two journeys — one through her history and one to the runway for her Fall 2024 Paris Fashion Week presentation. “I have been so defined by when I was in the Spice Girls, which was only a four-year period in my life, whereas fashion I’ve been in for coming up to two decades,” Beckham says. “I love this industry, so if I can use my voice to shine a light on the incredible talents, passion, hard work and just how multifaceted it is then that’s great. People may not understand this industry, but everyone is participating in it. Most people don’t realize it but they are, because it is illegal to go out naked!”
Here, Beckham discusses the process of laying bare her successes and hurdles for the camera and bringing the world closer to the woman behind the name.
The documentary revisits pivotal, exciting moments in your life. What was it like to look back and see those experiences come to life onscreen?
Victoria Beckham: I think this is the first time I’ve ever really looked back and reflected, which was honestly difficult. This was made easier though by the incredible crew, who I genuinely loved being in the company of. When I did my master interviews, of which there were quite a few, it was the first time I’ve ever been forced to look back. Sometimes it made me smile; sometimes it was frustrating because I’m trying to remember things that maybe I’ve blocked out, there’s a few triggers along the way. This has been like a year’s therapy for me. I feel that I went into this process calling myself a control freak and I’ve come out the other end a reformed control freak. I haven’t had the control with this documentary that I have with most elements of my life, and I feel much more content coming out the other end.
When I reflected on not just the Spice Girls, but my family, growing up, my journey from when I was very small, I really was an underdog. If my story can inspire anyone along the way, [it’s] to really not take no for an answer, to believe in themselves, to not be afraid of the hard work. I’ve been knocked [down] so many times, and I just bounce back up again. [But] that doesn’t come without its challenges —physically, mentally, emotionally — so I’d say I’ve been very honest about all of these things.
On paper, I should not be sitting where I am now, but I am. I was probably the most unpopular kid at my school. And I think it’s such a strong message to give to kids, if this can happen to me, I genuinely do believe it can happen to anybody
I was so young growing up in the public eye, and I didn’t know what I saw when I looked in the mirror. It really did mess with me. And I’ve never spoken about that before. There was certainly a thread that we could see appearing from when I was a child and when I was bullied at school to when I was struggling at dancing school. Um, and so I didn’t go into this process even thinking that these things would necessarily come up. We’re so much more aware nowadays of mental health.
I had the most wonderful upbringing. I really did. But I was shy. I remember a very close family friend saying to my mother that I was morose. And I remember thinking, what does morose mean? And then I found out what it meant. And when you’re seven and an adult has said that you are morose, you become a little self-conscious. And that really tormented me. If it wasn’t for the Spice Girls, I wouldn’t be who I am now. Not just career wise, but personality wise. They made me realize I actually wasn’t morose.
What was it like working with Nadia Hallgren?
Beckham: I’m very respectful of what Nadia has done — she’s had her own journey in the industry. She really understands British humor,and that was important to me. I’ve got a very British sense of humor, so I needed a director that understood that. She comes from a cinematography background; that was key for me as well. I wanted a documentary that looked beautiful and felt cinematic.
What was it like filming while preparing for Paris Fashion Week?
Beckham: The documentary crew felt like an extension of our team in a way. They got emotional at the show! A couple of the guys cried at the end of the show, which was a real shock, but I think this is where Nadia and the production team really selected every single member of the crew very carefully. Everyone commanded so much respect. Don’t get me wrong, it can be annoying to be asked to put a mic on when you’ve got a lot of things going on, but you just put the mic on and get on with it. They were there to get a job done, as I was there to get a job done.
This is a business, and there was so much riding on that show, and all these elements are so important and really can affect the business at the end of the day. You create a show because you are selling that collection so if something goes wrong with the show that ultimately affects your selling campaign, and I’m responsible for a lot of people. I have a lot of people working for me, talented, hard-working people, and of course there’s that added pressure. We all feel it.
Looking back across your life and career thus far, what has made you feel most proud?
Beckham: I mean, I’m proud of many things! I was constantly told I wasn’t good enough in my youth and as a young adult, so I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, first with the Spice Girls and over the past two decades with my team, across both fashion and beauty. The business has been through so much and at times really struggled, but when I look at where we are now as a business, I’m really proud and feel that we’re doing something right.
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