Barry Keoghan Asks for Kindness Amidst Online Harassment
Barry Keoghan is appealing to the internet for a more compassionate environment. The acclaimed actor revealed he retreated from public life following the scrutiny and online bullying that arose after his split from Sabrina Carpenter. The relentless negativity took a significant toll on his well-being.
The Impact of Online Hate
“There’s a lot of hate online. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look,” Keoghan shared on SiriusXM’s “The Morning Mash Up.” He admitted to distancing himself from social media, yet still feeling compelled to check public reaction to his appearances. “It’s not nice,” he confessed. This constant harassment has led him to avoid public events altogether.
“It’s becoming a problem,” Keoghan admitted. “I don’t have to hide away because I am hiding away. I don’t have to go to places because I actually don’t go to places because of these things.” He expressed concern that the negativity was beginning to affect his passion for acting. “But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore.”
Protecting His Son
The “Saltburn” star is also deeply worried about the impact of this online toxicity on his three-year-old son, Brando, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Alyson Sandro. “It is disappointing for the fans, but it’s also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older,” he stated, highlighting the long-term consequences of online behaviour.
Finding Positivity and Staying Busy
Despite the negativity, Keoghan acknowledges the incredible support from his fanbase. “I’ve been blessed that I have an incredible fanbase and people are so lovely out there, you know?” he reflected. “And it’s really nice when you do Q&A’s and you talk to people and you can be there with them and answer their questions and just give them all of you.” He recognizes the positive connection he has with many of his fans.
Keoghan remains a highly sought-after actor, recently appearing in “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man” on Netflix. He is also slated to portray Ringo Starr in an upcoming biopic directed by Sam Mendes. His commitment to his craft continues despite the challenges he faces.
The Relationship with Sabrina Carpenter
Keoghan and Carpenter ended their one-year relationship in December 2024, with sources citing busy careers as a contributing factor. People Magazine reported that the pair “decided to take a break” and were both focused on their respective careers. Their relationship had been described as “on and off” prior to the split.
The pair first sparked romance rumours in December 2023, and publicly acknowledged their connection a month later. Carpenter even cast Keoghan in her music video for “Please Please Please,” praising his acting talent. CBS Sunday Morning featured Carpenter discussing her choice to cast Keoghan, highlighting his enthusiasm for the project. Keoghan, in turn, spoke highly of Carpenter on “The Louis Theroux Podcast,” describing her as “such a strong, independent lady who is massively talented and pretty special.”
