Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Devastating Impact of Online Abuse
Oscar-nominated Irish actor Barry Keoghan has candidly shared that persistent online abuse is severely affecting his personal and professional life, to the extent that he now avoids going outside and is reconsidering his future in acting.
Withdrawal from Public Life Due to Nasty Comments
In a recent interview with SiriusXM host Ben Harlum, Keoghan explained that although he left social media in 2024 to escape the torrent of hate, the abuse continues to haunt him. He described how curiosity leads him to check public reactions after events, only to be met with cruel remarks about his appearance. This has caused him to retreat inward, shying away from public appearances and even everyday outings.
Keoghan stated, "There's a lot of hate online. There's a lot of abuse of how I look, and it's kind of past the point of, 'Everyone goes through that.' And everyone does, but it's made me shy away. It's made me really go inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside."
Impact on Acting Career and Personal Well-being
The actor, who is currently portraying Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles tetralogy, revealed that the abuse is now seeping into his artistic endeavors. He expressed fear that it might lead him to abandon acting altogether, as the negativity makes him reluctant to appear on screen. Keoghan emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that it has become a significant problem affecting his mental health.
He added, "When that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem, because then you don't want to even be on screen any more."
Past Struggles and Concerns for Family
Keoghan, who has been open about his challenging childhood in foster care and his mother's death due to drug addiction, also referenced previous incidents where fans harassed his family. In 2024, he reported people knocking on his grandmother's door and intimidating his baby son's home after his breakup with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
Speaking about his three-year-old son Brando, Keoghan voiced concern over the long-term effects, saying, "It's also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older."
Current Projects and Future Outlook
Despite these challenges, Keoghan remains active in the film industry. He recently starred in Netflix's Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and is filming his role in Mendes' The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, alongside co-stars Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, and Joseph Quinn. However, his future participation hinges on how he navigates the ongoing online abuse.
Keoghan's heartfelt disclosure highlights the darker side of celebrity life, underscoring the urgent need for greater empathy and respect in digital spaces to protect individuals from such harmful behavior.
