Nicola Peltz Beckham was honored with the 'Rising Star' award at a ceremony held alongside the Venice Film Festival, an accolade that has reportedly drawn skepticism from industry figures. The award was presented by Kinéo, an independent organization that holds its annual ceremony in Venice during the prestigious film festival.
Peltz Beckham, the daughter of billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz and wife of Brooklyn Beckham, expressed gratitude for the honor, stating it was something she would carry throughout her career. She received the award alongside veteran actress Faye Dunaway, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony was attended by her husband, Brooklyn, her mother Claudia, father Nelson, and brother Bradley.
However, behind the scenes, sources within the industry have questioned the basis for the 'Rising Star' award. Concerns have been raised about Peltz Beckham's acting portfolio, which includes early roles in films like Danny DeVito's 2006 comedy "Deck the Halls," M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender" in 2010, and a prominent role in Michael Bay's 2014 blockbuster "Transformers: Age of Extinction." Despite the commercial success of "Transformers," the film received largely negative reviews, and Peltz Beckham earned Razzie nominations for Worst Supporting Actress for her role in both that film and "The Last Airbender."
Sources have pointed to Peltz Beckham's age, noting she is in her 30s, which they find incongruous with a 'Rising Star' designation. Industry insiders have also suggested that her father's wealth may have played a role in her career progression, with one insider calling it "nepotism at its absolute worst." These individuals have also commented on a perceived lack of humility surrounding the award.
When approached for comment, representatives for both Kinéo and the Venice Film Festival declined to explain the decision-making process for the award or confirm whether Peltz Beckham or her family had any involvement in her selection. Kinéo's stated selection process involves public voting and an international industry jury, but the "Rising Star" category is not a regular listed award, and Peltz Beckham was not included on any disclosed public ballot.
Peltz Beckham's directorial debut, the 2024 film "Lola," which she also wrote and starred in, received a limited release and a reported worldwide gross of $648. The film, which depicted themes of poverty and drug addiction, drew criticism as "poverty porn" and a "vanity project," with some viewers questioning the actress's portrayal of such experiences given her background. Quincy Jones produced the film's music, and his daughter, Kenya Kinski-Jones, is married to Peltz Beckham's elder brother. Her father, Nelson Peltz, attended the film's premiere alongside Elon Musk.
Peltz Beckham's recent television work includes an appearance in the final episode of Ryan Murphy's series "The Beauty," which premiered in January and received mixed to negative reviews. Despite her consistent presence in the entertainment industry since childhood, industry observers note that she is often more recognized as the daughter of Nelson Peltz and the wife of Brooklyn Beckham than for her acting accomplishments.
This is not the first time Peltz Beckham has received a "Rising Star" award; she was recognized by CinemaCon in 2014 at the age of 19, in conjunction with the release of "Transformers: Age of Extinction."