Barry Keoghan Opens Up on Gruelling Online Abuse and its Impact on His Life
Irish actor Barry Keoghan, who has captivated audiences with his powerful performances in films like Saltburn and The Banshees of Inisherin, has revealed the significant toll that relentless online abuse has taken on his mental well-being and even his professional life. The 33-year-old star, who began his acting journey as a teenager, has experienced a meteoric rise to fame, but this success has come with a dark undercurrent of cyberbullying, with much of the vitriol directed at his appearance.
Keoghan’s career gained serious momentum in 2017 with notable roles in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Killing of a Sacred Deer. He cemented his status as a household name with his compelling performance in the 2022 hit Saltburn. More recently, he has featured in The Banshees of Inisherin and the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Beyond his film work, Keoghan also garnered considerable public attention three years ago when he began dating American singer Sabrina Carpenter, even starring in her music video for “Please Please Please.”
However, the relationship was not without its challenges. Following their eventual split, the actor detailed the intense backlash he received from some of Carpenter’s fans, which included disturbing death threats.
The Pervasive Nature of Online Trolling
Nearly two years on from that period, Keoghan has spoken candidly about his ongoing struggles with online trolling. He shared during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up that he faces “a lot of abuse of how I look.” While he acknowledged having an “incredible fanbase” and highlighted the kindness of many, he also spoke of experiencing a “nasty side” to the online world.
The impact of this relentless negativity extends beyond his own emotional state. Keoghan expressed his concern for his young son, Brando, who is three years old. “It’s also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older,” he stated, referring to his son with former girlfriend Alyson Sandro.
The constant barrage of hateful comments has led Keoghan to distance himself from online platforms. He admitted that he has become anxious even about venturing out in public. “I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on,” he explained. “If I attend an event, or if I go somewhere, [I] want to see how it was received, and it’s not nice.”
This has had a significant effect on his social behaviour. “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 confessed. He elaborated that it “was becoming a problem” to the point where he actively avoids certain locations due to the online criticism.
Impact on Artistic Endeavours
Perhaps most concerningly, the relentless online abuse has begun to bleed into Keoghan’s professional life, affecting his ability to perform. “When that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem, because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore,” he revealed.
Public Support and Defence
Following Keoghan’s candid revelations, a wave of support and defence emerged from the public and fans alike. Many expressed their dismay at the cruelty he has endured.
- User E_Tommy_l posted on X, “I actually think it’s horrible considering where he comes from in life and the fact this dude has had quite a bit of trauma before his success…he might seem annoying or cringe to some people but the abuse he’s getting is absolutely disgusting.”
- HaleDynasty questioned the rationale behind such negativity: “But why are people so cruel? I never understood the idea of commenting negatively on someone’s appearance, knowing that it might hurt them.”
- Carey commented, “It’s heartbreaking that anyone has to experience this kind of abuse. Social media can be cruel.”
- Raba offered words of encouragement: “Nobody should feel trapped indoors because of how they look and Barry saying it out loud takes courage. The cruelty people aim at public figures online is real and it has real consequences. Hoping he finds his way back out.”
- hum_beparwaah wrote, “People forget celebrities are human too. Stay strong, Barry Keoghan…your talent speaks louder than trolls ever will.”
- Gina offered a light-hearted yet supportive message: “You’re in Saltburn and dated Sabrina. You won!!!”
A History of Adversity
Keoghan’s openness about his struggles comes against a backdrop of significant personal adversity. He has previously spoken about his difficult childhood spent in foster care and the tragic death of his mother due to drug addiction.
His experience with the fallout from his relationship with Sabrina Carpenter was particularly distressing. He recounted instances where fans allegedly harassed his grandmother and even gathered outside his baby son’s home, creating an intimidating atmosphere.
During an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast in November 2024, Keoghan detailed how people would create videos dissecting his appearance and character. “People sit there and make videos and be like ‘I don’t like his face, he looks weird, or he looks evil’ and just pick you apart,” he said. He also addressed judgments about his parenting, stating, “I’m like, well until you’ve walked a day in my shoes growing up as a kid, then you can’t comment. There’s a lot online.” He acknowledged the resilience required to cope with such scrutiny, admitting, “If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength I have, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”
A few weeks later, he deactivated his Instagram account and issued a statement on X, condemning the trolls. “I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to,” he began. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed.”
He continued, detailing the nature of the abuse: “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.” Keoghan pleaded for respect, highlighting that some individuals had “crossed a line” and “dragged his dear mother into it.”
Looking Ahead Despite the Challenges
Despite the emotional strain and the contemplation of stepping back from acting, Barry Keoghan remains committed to his craft. He is currently filming Sam Mendes’ ambitious The Beatles project, a four-film cinematic event. In this highly anticipated series, Keoghan is set to portray Ringo Starr, starring alongside Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Joseph Quinn. The films are slated for release in cinemas in April 2028.
