Barry Keoghan has opened up about the hurtful and “disgusting” messages he’s received online following his recent breakup with singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter. The Saltburn star took to X (formerly Twitter) on December 7 to explain why he deactivated his Instagram account, calling for more respect for himself and his family in the wake of the online abuse.
“I can only sit and take so much,” Keoghan wrote, sharing his frustration over the hateful commentary that has been circulating about him. “My name is being dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to.” The actor expressed that the negativity was becoming too overwhelming, prompting him to take a step back from social media entirely.
The Decision to Step Away from Instagram
Keoghan’s Instagram deactivation followed a series of personal attacks, with users making cruel remarks about his appearance, character, and even his parenting. In his post on X, Keoghan described the level of vitriol he’s been subjected to, stating, “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 abuse was affecting both his personal and professional life, forcing him to make the difficult decision to disconnect from the platform.
“There are too many lines being crossed,” Keoghan continued. “I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work.”
Impact on Keoghan’s Family
The online attacks have extended beyond Keoghan himself, with some individuals reportedly going so far as to harass his family. Keoghan shared that people have been “knocking at my granny’s door” and sitting outside the home of his ex-partner Alyson Sandro, as well as their 2-year-old son, Brando. The actor expressed how much this behavior has hurt him, saying that he is working hard every day to be the best version of himself for his son.
“I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” he wrote, urging followers to think about the long-term impact of their actions. “Please remember that he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all.”
Speculation Surrounding the Breakup
The public’s interest in Keoghan and Carpenter’s relationship has been intense in recent weeks. Rumors of their breakup began circulating in December, and on December 3, a source confirmed to People that the couple had decided to take a break after a year of dating. Speculation about the cause of the breakup included unfounded rumors of infidelity, with gossip site Deuxmoi alleging that Keoghan had cheated with a TikTok influencer. However, a separate source told People that those claims were untrue, and that Keoghan had been “always very faithful” to Sabrina from the start.
A Call for Respect
Keoghan’s message is a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of online harassment and the importance of empathy in a time when social media often fuels unrelenting speculation and cruelty. As he urged his followers, “Please be respectful to all.” The actor’s plea highlights the need for kindness, particularly when it comes to private matters involving loved ones.
As Keoghan takes a break from Instagram, we can only hope that his call for respect is heard and that both he and his family can find peace amidst the public scrutiny.
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