American pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has set the internet alight after appearing to take a thinly-veiled jab at her former boyfriend, Irish actor Barry Keoghan. The pair's whirlwind romance in 2024 captivated fans, but their split by the end of that year left many wondering about the details. Now, over a year later, Carpenter has reignited speculation with a pointed social media move.
A Cryptic Message to Ring in the New Year
In the quiet period between Christmas and New Year's Eve, Sabrina Carpenter took to TikTok, where she reposted a video from a fan. The clip featured a complaint stating: "It's been a tough year, but at least I didn't get back with my ex." The singer's decision to share this message was immediately seized upon by her followers, who flooded the comments section to dissect its potential meaning.
This online activity follows the massive success of Carpenter's number one single 'Manchild' from her 2025 album 'Man's Best Friend'. A significant portion of her fanbase remains convinced the scathing track is about Barry Keoghan, despite the singer's own insistence to the contrary. The 26-year-old star has not publicly confirmed a new relationship since her breakup with the 33-year-old 'Saltburn' actor.
Navigating Fame and Controversy
Carpenter's career, which saw a slow build over a decade before exploding with her 2024 hit 'Espresso', has placed her personal life under intense scrutiny. Her seventh studio album, 'Man's Best Friend', released in August 2025, itself became a headline generator for reasons beyond its music.
The original album artwork, which depicted Carpenter on all fours with an unseen man pulling her hair, sparked a fierce feminist backlash. The controversy forced the singer to hastily release an alternative, less provocative cover, which she jokingly referred to as "approved by God". She later addressed the furore during an appearance on Saturday Night Live in October, offering a tongue-in-cheek explanation that the image was cropped from a benign backstage moment.
Amidst the album drama, Carpenter has continued to engage with her fans. On Instagram, she struck a more upbeat tone to close out 2025, promoting a bonus edition of her latest record and thanking supporters for a "beautiful year."
The Aftermath of a Short-Lived Romance
The relationship between Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan, though brief, was a focal point for celebrity watchers in 2024. Prior to dating Keoghan, Carpenter's romantic links included Canadian singer Shawn Mendes, American performer Joshua Bassett, and actor Bradley Steven Perry.
The singer's latest social media activity suggests the past is not entirely forgotten. While the true intent behind her reposted TikTok remains known only to her, it has successfully fuelled conversation and kept the narrative of her past romance alive in the public sphere as a new year begins.
