After days of intense speculation surrounding his split from Sabrina Carpenter, Barry Keoghan has finally broken his silence on the backlash he’s faced since the breakup with an emotional statement on social media.
Related: Those Barry Keoghan Cheating Claims Just Got a Major Update
“I can only sit and take so much,” Keoghan’s statement began. “My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond too [sic]. I have to respond now because it’s gettin to a place where there are too many lines being crossed.” The actor revealed he’s made the decision to deactivate his social media accounts “because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work.”
The Saltburn star’s statement comes just one day after sources close to him denied rumors of cheating in his relationship with Carpenter. While those sources emphasized that “he was always very faithful to her from the start,” Keoghan’s new statement reveals the disturbing extent of the harassment he’s faced.
“The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them,” he continued. “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.” The actor expressed frustration at people “dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for.”
Most disturbingly, Keoghan revealed that trolls have gone as far as “talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also.” The harassment has extended beyond social media, with people “knocking on my grannies door” and even “sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them.” As Keoghan stated firmly, “Thats crossing a line.”
The actor, who shares 2-year-old son Brando with former partner Alyson Sandro, went on to speak about his commitment to fatherhood. “Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” he wrote. “I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what.”
Keoghan went on to point out the long-lasting impact of online harassment. “I need you to remeber [sic] he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older,” he explained. He concluded his statement with a simple plea: “Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.”
Keoghan’s response comes just days after People reported that he and “Espresso” singer Sabrina Carpenter had decided to take a break from their year-long relationship, with a source citing their busy careers as the reason for the split. Shortly after, however, unverified rumors began circulating on social media, including an anonymous tipster suggesting infidelity involving an TikTok influencer.
These claims were eventually denied by sources close to Keoghan, who told People, “There was no third party involved in their break or at any other point in their relationship. Reports indicating otherwise are entirely fabricated.”
The source had also emphasized Keoghan’s dedication during their relationship, noting, “He was a fantastic boyfriend to her and was very present through all she was going through as her career took off—he worked very hard to be there for her when she needed someone most.”
