Barry Keoghan has opened up about how harsh online comments about his appearance once made him reluctant to step out in public.
Speaking during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up on Friday (March 20), Keoghan reflected on his “incredible fan base,” noting that he enjoys doing public Q&A sessions because “people are so lovely out there.”
However, he also spoke about the darker side of fame he experiences. “I remove myself from online, but I’m still a human being that’s curious,” he shared. “It’s not nice. There’s a lot of hate online. A lot of abuse about how I look and it’s kind of past the point that it’s made me shy away. It’s made me really go inside of myself and not want to attend places. Not want to go outside. It’s becoming a problem.”
Keoghan ended by sharing how the negativity doesn’t just affect him, but also those around him. “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,” the Saltburn star said.
This isn’t the first time Keoghan has addressed criticism about his appearance. Back in 2024, he spoke on similar remarks, especially during the time he was dating Sabrina Carpenter.
“Some of the comments on my appearance are completely different and absolutely disgusting,” he said in an interview with Louis Theroux, who asked if he felt targeted by online trolling.
“In general, everyone kind of does on the internet, and you’re worse for going on and looking. I don’t know. It’s a sad way to pick someone’s appearance apart,” Keoghan replied. “People can sit there and make videos and be like ‘I don’t like his face. He looks weird or he looks evil’ and pick you apart.”
He also admitted that while he probably shouldn’t be online, his curiosity often draws him back to see what people are saying.
