David Beckham recalls the star-studded party Tom Cruise and Will Smith threw for him when he moved to LA in 2007: ‘Everywhere you looked there was a famous person’
David Beckham recalls how Tom Cruise and Will Smith gave him a star-studded welcome party when he moved to Los Angeles in 2007.
The footballer, 48, moved to California with his wife Victoria, 49, and their young children after signing for LA Galaxy.
The US went crazy with Beckham’s arrival 16 years ago as he changed the face of the game Stateside.
During his new Netflix documentary BECKHAM, director Fisher Stevens asked David, “Did you have friends in LA?”
David replied, “The funny thing was I was friends with Tom Cruise. I remember Tom turning around and saying, “Will and I are going to throw you a party.” I thought, “Will?” and he said “Will Smith”.
Welcome party: David Beckham recalls how Tom Cruise and Will Smith gave him a star-studded welcome party when he moved to Los Angeles in 2007
Event: Several Hollywood stars attended the bash (L-R, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Victoria, David, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith)
Several Hollywood stars attended the bash, including Tom’s wife Katie Holmes, Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith and actor Jim Carrey.
David’s close friend David Gardner recalled the bash, saying: ‘It was like being in Madame Tussauds, everywhere you looked there was a famous person.’
He added: ‘The next moment the piano starts playing and Stevie Wonder starts singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. And I thought, ‘f**k this, he’s gone, we’ve lost him.'”
The party was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, with Tom clearing the dance floor to recreate the choreography from his 1983 film Risky Business.
When David moved to LA in 2007, he paved the way for a new era of football in the United States.
He had just left Real Madrid after four years and was also an icon for Manchester United and England.
In the tell-all series, released on Wednesday at 8am, David and Victoria provide an intimate insight into their marriage and early romance, their family life, and chart David’s football career.
During the documentary, David choked back tears as he spoke candidly about his life and career, reflecting on his three decades in the spotlight.
Party: The party was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, with Tom clearing the dance floor to recreate the choreography from his 1983 film Risky Business
A-list: David’s close friend David Gardner recalled the bash, saying: ‘It was like being in Madame Tussauds, everywhere you looked there was a famous person’
Success: When David moved to LA in 2007, he paved the way for a new era of football in the United States
The sportsman came into the spotlight at the age of 17 as Manchester United’s new midfielder and quickly earned the reputation as football’s golden boy and one of the most talented players of his generation.
Yet his career threatened to be derailed when he was blamed for England’s exit from the 1998 World Cup after lashing out at Diego Simeone, sparking a prolonged campaign of hatred and abuse from fans.
Reflecting on the turbulent period David faced at the age of 23, the athlete admitted he was a ‘mess’ and could no longer eat or sleep. His wife Victoria revealed that he suffered from clinical depression and that the experience ‘broke’ him. .
David recalled feeling ‘very vulnerable and alone’ when he landed back in Britain in front of hordes of jeering onlookers and negative press, with his father Ted admitting David was ‘distraught’ when he met him and saying the young sports star ‘fell into my arms’. and said, ‘I’ve let everyone down.'”