As the daughter of a billionaire who married into one of the most famous families in the world, Nicola Peltz Beckham lives a life of almost unimaginable privilege.
But now the actress is being criticized for casting herself in a new film as a struggling, drug-addicted teenage stripper.
Brooklyn Beckham’s wife has also been criticized for unfairly using her elite background to pursue her pet project, Lola.
Ms. Peltz, 29, wrote and directed the film, playing the title role of a 19-year-old who struggles to make ends meet during pregnancy.
Last week a trailer was posted online, which caused many reactions.
Nicola Peltz Beckham is the daughter of billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz and model Claudia Heffner, and is married to David Beckham’s son
Ms. Peltz has written and directed a film in which she plays a 19-year-old struggling to make ends meet while pregnant
One user posted on Instagram: ‘I wish rich people like you would refrain from telling stories like this… You have no idea what the reality of this character is like.
“I find it insulting to working-class women who actually live in this reality to have to watch a billionaire indulge in a dream acting role.”
Another wrote: ‘This project was funded through privilege.’
And a third said: ‘Omg a billionaire cosplaying a poor girl.’
People on
And on YouTube, one viewer said: ‘What does someone like Nicola, the daughter of a billionaire, privileged since birth, know about such a life?’ Ms Peltz – the daughter of 81-year-old American billionaire Nelson Peltz – previously had small roles in blockbusters such as Transformers and The Last Airbender.
There has been online criticism of Ms. Peltz’s self-casting for the role, with some users saying she did not have experiences comparable to the character she played.
For Lola, her directorial debut, she enlisted the help of 28-time Grammy-winning producer Quincy Jones, the man behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, to help with the soundtrack.
Mr. Jones’ daughter, Kenya Kinski-Jones, 30, happens to be dating Ms. Peltz’s brother, Will, 37.
The film has been five years in the making and will finally be released in the US on February 9, but no UK release has yet been announced.
Ms. Peltz called the film on Instagram “a heartfelt story of generational trauma, perseverance and unconditional love,” adding, “I have so much respect and gratitude for the incredible cast and crew I had the pleasure of being on this journey with . It takes a village and I love our village.”
Set in 2002, the film shows Lola struggling to raise enough money to get her little brother Arlo out of their toxic home. Their abusive mother is played by Dune actress Virginia Madsen, 62.
Despite the criticism, the film has at least one fan.
Ms Peltz’s husband of two years, Brooklyn, 24, wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m so proud of you, I can’t wait for everyone to see Lola. I love you, girl.”