Cruz Beckham's 'inappropriate' shirtless magazine cover sparks backlash: 'He was 16'
Cruz Beckham's debut cover shoot has sparked controversy online.
On Monday, i-D magazine revealed the cover of their spring issue, featuring David and Victoria Beckham's youngest son sporting pink hair and posing shirtless with his pants pulled down.
Beckham, who turned 17 on Feb. 20, spoke to the magazine about the start of his music career in what's considered a "coming of age" photoshoot— his first for a magazine cover. However, the photos have raised red flags on social media, with many people claiming it's "inappropriate" for the magazine to feature the shirtless teen.
"This is super cringe and inappropriate in every way," one upset follower wrote on Instagram. "Literally no one wants to see a barely 17-year-old boy half-naked. It's actually quite gross when you think about it and is genuinely concerning. His parents should have never OK'd this and furthermore, neither should have this publication. If this was a 17-year-old girl, there would be no question about it. People would be outraged. And the same should apply here."
"Are we all going to pretend that Cruz Beckham posing in his underwear on a magazine as a 16-year-old is totally normal? If it was a 16-year-old girl..." another person tweeted.
"I can’t be the only one uncomfortable with 17-year-old Cruz Beckham thirst trapping and stripping to his boxers and showing off abs for a mag front cover?" another Twitter user chimed in.
anyone else find that id cover with 17 year old cruz beckham a bit weird? like the whole thing is that he’s “of age” and the cover is him in only a pair of boxers
— Eva Karkut-Law (@EvaKarkutLaw) February 21, 2022
"Why is it socially acceptable for Cruz Beckham to be taking photos In his underwear/grabbing his crotch/clearly showing he has tattoos underage when he was 16 when the photos were taken?" wrote another. "He’s a child."
"There are several things disturbingly inappropriate about Cruz Beckham’s i-D magazine shoot," another commented.
Cruz Beckham being photographed like that as a MINOR is not cute or chic and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He’s a child
— Lindsey Jordan Stan Account (@emmaatang) February 22, 2022
One person speculated that the cover was part of a media strategy to garner press for Beckham's career.
"Cruz Beckham has learned from a very early age that controversy, bad taste and scandals generate publicity, and that guarantees a strong media presence (for a short time at least)," they wrote to Twitter. "It's all about launching his music career."
In the magazine, Beckham reveals that although he was tempted to pursue a career in soccer like his father, he ultimately followed his passion for music.
The teen has been spending time in the studio collaborating with producers and brushing up on his skills as a musician, citing Beyoncé and Oasis as inspirations.
"I even learnt how to play the mandolin for a song that I wrote," he told the magazine. “I don’t think you ever stop learning, but I’m taking my time seeing what happens.”
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