A body language expert has weighed in on a tense red-carpet exchange between Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham at the Deauville American Film Festival in France.
Darren Stanton, speaking to OLBG, analyzed footage of the couple from Tuesday, September 8, when they attended to support Peltz’s Prima co-star Faye Dunaway. Dunaway, 84, received the festival’s Icon Award that evening. Stanton told the outlet that Peltz, 29, initially displayed genuine happiness while posing for photographers.
“She’s posing for the first couple of photos, and she’s smiling a genuine smile of joy and happiness,” Stanton said. “Then she looks over, looks at him, and then totally, in a split second, changes her facial expression to one of anger and disdain.”
The moment occurred after Beckham, 25, stepped aside to give his wife space in the spotlight. He moved the train of her Alberta Ferretti gown behind her so she could walk unencumbered. Peltz glared back at him, her irritation visible.
Stanton continued: “She sort of closes her eyes as if to say, ‘I just can’t believe this.’ Whatever’s going on, she’s not happy about it.”
The expert speculated on possible triggers for Peltz’s reaction. “Whether she feels he should be with her or he’s maybe doing something she’s not approving of, it could be a small thing or a major thing going off in the background,” he added. “But one thing for sure, she’s not very happy with him, and she had no issues with showing that. That emotion leaked out in being a little bit angry, annoyed and frustrated.”
Social media users quickly dissected the interaction on X. “Ooof that look, he will be running home soon,” one person commented. Another wrote: “Oh he knows he is in trouble.”
Not all observers interpreted the moment negatively. Some described Beckham’s gesture as a “typical husband move,” while one viewer offered: “I thought it was sweet.”
The red-carpet tension comes amid ongoing speculation about Beckham’s relationship with his famous parents, David and Victoria Beckham. Earlier this year, the aspiring chef, 27, issued a scathing statement accusing his parents of controlling his life and attempting to damage his marriage to Peltz. The couple wed in April 2022 in a lavish Palm Beach ceremony that reportedly cost approximately $3 million.
Peltz and Beckham have faced persistent tabloid scrutiny regarding their connection to the broader Beckham family, with reports of tension between Peltz and her mother-in-law Victoria dating back to wedding-planning disputes.
The Deauville appearance marked a rare high-profile outing for the pair in recent months. Beckham has largely focused on his culinary pursuits, while Peltz continues her acting career following her directorial debut with the 2022 film Lola.
Stanton’s analysis focused specifically on what he termed the “dramatic shift” in Peltz’s demeanor. The expert emphasized that her emotional response appeared involuntary rather than performed for cameras.
The couple has not publicly addressed the body language expert’s interpretation or the social media reaction to their festival appearance. Representatives for Peltz and Beckham did not respond to requests for comment.
The Deauville American Film Festival, held annually in Normandy, France, honors both American cinema and international talent. This year’s edition ran from September 6 through September 15.
Beckham and Peltz are expected to continue their respective professional projects through the fall, with Peltz promoting upcoming film roles and Beckham developing his cooking brand.