Barry Keoghan is opening up about the intense online harassment he faced following his breakup with singer Sabrina Carpenter. The actor revealed he retreated from public life after receiving a barrage of hateful comments targeting his appearance, a situation that deeply impacted his well-being and even his approach to his craft.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up on Friday, March 20, Keoghan, 33, described the experience as “a lot of abuse of how I look.” Even as acknowledging his curiosity to see how his public appearances were received, he found the negativity overwhelming. “I think I removed myself from online, but I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on and, if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you seek to see how it was received. And it’s not nice,” he explained to host Ben Harlum.
The scrutiny following his split from Carpenter, which was confirmed in December 2024, led him to delete his Instagram account and issue a statement on X (formerly Twitter) addressing the online attacks. A source told People at the time that the couple decided to accept a break due to their demanding careers.
Keoghan detailed how the online hate has affected his daily life, causing him to withdraw from social situations. “It’s made me shy away, it’s made me really go inside myself and not want to attend places, not want to go outside,” he said. He expressed concern that the negativity was beginning to seep into his operate. “It’s becoming a problem,” he stated. “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. But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore.”
In his statement on X, Keoghan condemned the “absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.” He emphasized that the messages he received were unacceptable and prompted him to prioritize his family and work by deactivating his account.
The actor similarly voiced his worry about the impact of this online toxicity on his three-year-old son, Brando, whom he shares with former 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 said.
Rumors and the Aftermath of the Split
Following the breakup, rumors circulated online, including reported allegations of infidelity involving influencer Breckie Hill. But, these claims were debunked, according to Page Six. Carpenter herself addressed the difficulty of navigating public perception of her relationships in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, noting the inaccuracies and missing details often present in online narratives.
Keoghan’s Upcoming Role and Continued Work
Despite the challenges, Keoghan remains focused on his career. He is currently starring as Ringo Starr in director Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-part biopic series, The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event, alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. The films are slated for release in April 2028.
Keoghan’s experience highlights the dark side of celebrity and the damaging effects of online harassment. His willingness to speak out about the issue underscores the importance of addressing online toxicity and protecting individuals from unwarranted abuse.
As Keoghan prepares for the release of the Beatles biopic, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the continued scrutiny of his personal life. His openness about the challenges he’s faced, however, may encourage a more empathetic and respectful dialogue surrounding celebrity and online behavior.
What are your thoughts on the impact of social media on celebrities? Share your opinions in the comments below.
