“I said to [my hair stylist], ‘I’m gonna cut my hair’ and he was like, ‘Are you sure? You really want to do that?,’ ” Beckham recalls in his new Netflix doc
Kimberlee Speakman is a digital writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has previously appeared in Forbes and she has also worked in broadcast television as a reporter for Hawaii-based news station KHON2 News.
Beckham is getting candid about one of his most buzzed about hair changes.
The Netflix docuseries Beckham delved into several parts of the former soccer player’s life — including the dramatic story of what happened behind the scenes when he got a buzz cut in 2000.
“I had a hairdresser at the time called Tyler. I said to him, ‘I’m gonna cut my hair’ and he was like, ‘Are you sure? You really want to do that?,’ ” Beckham explained in the third episode of the docuseries.
He said his Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson confronted him about the change ahead of their match against Leicester City in March 2000. “And [Ferguson] said, ‘David take the cap off.’ And I said, ‘No.’”
David Beckham Was ‘So Open’ to Telling His Full Life Story for Netflix Doc, Says Director (Exclusive)
“Stubbornness,” Ferguson recalled. “And then I said, ‘Oh well.’”
When Beckham debuted his new buzz cut on the field during the game, the commenters noted, “the blonde locks have gone” and “the sight of the skinhead will take a bit of getting used to.”
David Beckham of Manchester United in action during the FA Carling Premiership match against Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.SHAUN BOTTERILL /ALLSPORT
Though the former soccer player noted: “I never did it to create attention. I’m not that person.”
Despite his intentions, the new hairdo — along with his continued success on the field — drew lots of attention from his fans across the U.K. Hundreds of fans wanted to see his new look for the first time and footage showed them standing in long lines for an autograph.
Victoria Beckham on the ‘Hardest Period’ in Her Marriage to David: ‘The Most Unhappy I’ve Ever Been’
“When David Beckham shaved his head, I honestly thought a member of my family had died. Because my phone went off.” said James Clarke, a Manchester paparazzi. “The panic in people’s voices that this… We haven’t got it documented yet.”
He noted that it became a huge pop culture moment in the U.K., as other men and even his young fans were hoping to become just like him.
“Literally kids, ‘I want to be David Beckham, I want to shave my head. And schools were having to write in, ‘No shaving of heads,’ “ Clarke said.
SANDRA BEHNE/BONGARTS/GETTY
Victoria Beckham, 49, recalled in the docuseries that her husband shaving his head was a moment where he “starts going from a boy to a man.”
“And it’s only natural that you’ll start flexing your muscles right? And don’t all kids rebel against their parents?,” she said, alluding to Sir Alex’s role as Beckham’s secondary father figure.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The full docuseries goes over the legendary athlete’s story, which is broken into four parts and told through varying perspectives. It also includes interviews with his parents, former teammates and Ferguson.
“He was so open,” said director Fisher Stevens about Beckham. “He’s like, ‘I’m ready. I want to tell my story before someone else does.’ And then I started doing research and I was like, ‘Jesus, this guy’s life is nuts. Nuts.’ I had no idea.”
News
Loose Women stars clash over Meghan and Harry as ‘fed up’ Carol boycotts documentary
Loose Women stars Carol McGiffin and Judi Love were locked in a heated clash over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s documentary today as three new episodes dropped…
Loose Women stars enjoy boozy bash and party games as they celebrate festive season
The Loose Women panelists enjoyed a Christmas meal out, with many of the stars sharing their festive fun with their social media following The Loose Women panelists let their…
Loose Women’s Denise Welch brands NHS a ‘disaster’ amid paramedics strike
Denise Welch slammed the government on Loose Women today as she branded the health service a ‘disaster’ after thousands of ambulance workers, including paramedics and call handlers,…
Coleen Nolan responds to claims Loose Women panel ‘snubbed’ Stacey Solomon’s pregnancy
Coleen Nolan has responded to Loose Women viewers claiming the panel ‘subbed’ co-star Stacey Solomon’s shock pregnancy announcement earlier this week Coleen Nolan has set the record straight…
Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha strips to bra as she’s praised for ‘very relatable’ video
Loose Women star Nadia Sawala has been praised by fans for showing the realities of getting back into skinny jeans in the days after Christmas Loose Women star…
Loose Women’s Kaye admits Strictly regret as wishes she could tell herself ‘don’t do it’
Loose Women star Kaye Adams reflected on her short-lived run on Strictly Come Dancing as the panel looked back on 2022 Loose Women host Kaye Adams has…
End of content
No more pages to load