David Beckham admits regret over hairstyle due to ‘cultural appropriation’

04 July 2023 , 08:41

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David Beckham only regrets one of his many hairstyles

David Beckham has revealed he only regrets one of his many hairstyles, as he said the ‘do was “cultural appropriation”.

The legendary England and Manchester United footballer has rocked a series of trends over the decades, from his iconic mohawk to a bleached buzzcut, as well as long ponytails and even floppy curtains.

But the 48-year-old confessed he bitterly regretted his decision to have cornrows, which he wore back in 2003 for his meeting with the late South African president Nelson Mandela.

David was given the traditional braids, that are worn close to the scalp, while on holiday in France with his family and wife Victoria Beckham and said he only agreed to the style because he didn’t know what they looked like.

David regretted getting cornrows before meeting Nelson Mandela in 2003 (Getty Images)

“We were there with family and one of Victoria’s friends who is a hairdresser. I asked if she could do something with my hair and she said, ‘Do you want cornrows?’ and I said, ‘Yeah. I don’t know what they are. But yeah’,” he said during an interview with pal Ben Winston at St John’s Wood Synagogue in North London.

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While he admitted it was “painful” having them done, he really liked the look but soon realised he’d made a big mistake, as he flew to meet Nelson with the England team just a few days later.

“I got to meet the great Nelson Mandela. And the picture that I’ve got of Nelson Mandela is me holding his hand with cornrows in my hair. That’s my only regret,” he lamented.

David said he didn't know what the style looked like before having it done (AP)

The father-of-four also spoke about his Jewish roots in the interview, and said he was a proud member of the Jewish community in north London, thanks to his maternal grandfather Joseph.

“My grandfather always made sure we would keep up with certain traditions. Every Saturday morning I used to go and see them, and my grandmother would be preparing the chicken soup and matzo balls and latkes,” he sweetly recalled.

“It was always about the family coming together.”

Elsewhere in the chat, David spoke about his family life, and despite his busy career, he’s always been there to pick up his four kids - Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper - from school.

“I’ll be there to pick them up, drop them off. I always do that. I just want them to be happy and I want them to be polite and humble. And that’s how me and Victoria brought them up,” David shared.

Emma Wilson