Barry Keoghan has finally spoken about the backlash he received from fans of Sabrina Carpenter after being accused of cheating on the “Man’s Best Friend” singer.
The actor appeared on Tuesday’s episode of Friend’s Keep Secrets, the podcast hosted by Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky, and Kristin Batalucco, where he opened up about stepping back from the spotlight following their breakup. Keoghan and Carpenter split in December 2024 after a year together, and rumors quickly spread among fans that the Saltburn star had been unfaithful.
“I’ve stopped socializing, and it’s because there was a narrative out there that was never really even spoken on, a narrative that’s not true, and I never confirmed or said anything about it. I just disappeared,” Keoghan shared around the 7-minute mark of the episode.
When Lil Dicky asked if he was referring to cheating allegations, Keoghan responded, “Yeah, that I cheated.”
Barry Keoghan went on to explain that being in the public eye only makes rumors spread faster, especially across social media.
“A girl made a video and then a girl actually made the same video and went, ‘Sorry for making that up,’” he shared. “But no one seemed to latch on to that video.”
He also made it clear he’s not looking for sympathy or support, but simply wants the assumptions and online attacks to stop. “But I’m asking for people to stop assuming and also stop jumping on this narrative and attacking me and dragging me down in any way you can,” he said.
The 33-year-old also revealed he’s been targeted with cruel comments about his late parents, who both passed away due to drug-related circumstances. “Just absolutely disgusting and vile,” he said. “There’s videos on TikTok literally going ‘I hate him.’ … I’m not saying this for a pity card or pity me. Why is it cool to to hop on and beat someone who’s come from a lot?”
Following his split from Sabrina Carpenter, Keoghan had already urged people online to stop harassing him and his family, including his then-2-year-old son, Brando.
“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 said at the time. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work.”
