Barry Keoghan is getting real about the darker side of fame, and how online hate has started to take a serious toll. The “Saltburn” star opened up in a candid interview about stepping back from public life, revealing how harsh comments about his appearance and personal life have impacted not only him, but his work and his role as a father.
Barry Keoghan Calls Out ‘A Lot Of Hate’ On Social Media
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Morning Mash Up,” Keoghan didn’t shy away from addressing the reality of navigating social media as a public figure.
“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 want to see how it was received. And it’s not nice,” he explained in an audio clip.
He went on to describe the environment online as overwhelmingly negative. “There’s a lot of hate online. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look,” Keoghan added.
Actor Says Online Hate Has Changed His Behavior
The Irish actor admitted the constant criticism has begun to affect how he moves through his career and personal life.
“I say this being absolute pure and honest to you: It’s becoming a problem,” he went on. “So yeah, 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.”
Beyond his own experience, Keoghan shared that his biggest concern is how the negativity could affect his young son down the line. “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,” Keoghan stated, making it clear that protecting his child remains a top priority.
Barry Keoghan Deactivated Instagram After ‘Lines Were Crossed’
Keoghan’s recent comments come after he stepped away from Instagram in 2024 following intense speculation about his split from Sabrina Carpenter. At the time, he addressed the situation in a lengthy message, explaining why he felt the need to remove himself from the platform.
“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 wrote. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed.”
The actor added, “I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received, no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.”
Keoghan Says Trolls Attacked His Family And Personal Past
In that same statement, Keoghan revealed just how far some of the harassment had gone, including attacks on his background and loved ones. The “Peaky Blinders” actor said people online had been “dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for.”
He continued, “Talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also. Knocking on my granny’s door.”
Barry Keoghan Speaks Out After Trolls Target His Child And Family
The situation became even more alarming when it began impacting his family directly.
“Sitting outside my baby boy’s house intimidating them. That’s crossing a line. Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” he declared. “I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what,” he said.
He wrote in conclusion, “I need you to remember he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.”
At the end of the day, Keoghan’s focus remains on protecting his son and setting an example.