Saltburn star Barry Keoghan opens up about social media trolling affecting his career and fears for his son reading negative comments about his appearance
Barry Keoghan attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California(Image: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
Barry Keoghan has spoken candidly about online bullying, revealing how social media abuse has had a profound effect on him.
The 33-year-old Peaky Blinders star confessed in a recent interview that despite distancing himself from social media, the online criticism about his appearance is beginning to affect his professional life.
He described how it’s ‘becoming a problem.’ Keoghan also expressed his worry that his three-year-old son, Brando, from a former relationship with Alyson Sandro Kierans, might eventually come across the cruel remarks aimed at him.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up on Friday, the Irish actor discussed the “nasty side” of social media and the harm it has inflicted.
“I think I removed myself from online, but I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on and, if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it was received. And it’s not nice,” he explained in an audio clip.
Barry said that online criticism of his looks has enabled him to consider a career change(Image: Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)
“There’s a lot of hate online. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look,” Keoghan added. The actor acknowledged the persistent negativity has led him to withdraw from public life.
“I say this being absolute pure and honest to you: It’s becoming a problem,” he went on. “So yeah, I don’t have to hide away because I am hiding away. I don’t have to go to places because I actually don’t go to places because of these things.
“But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore.”
The Saltburn star also expressed his concern that his son might one day be subjected to the same online abuse he endures. “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,” Keoghan said
Barry Keoghan attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: CRIME 101 at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England(Image: Getty Images for Amazon MGM Stud)
In 2024, Barry deactivated his Instagram account amidst rumours about his break up with Sabrina Carpenter, reports the Irish Star.
Speaking on X, he addressed the “lies, hatred” and “disgusting commentary” aimed at him, explaining why he felt compelled to withdraw from online interaction.
“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 penned. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed,” Keoghan added.
“I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received – no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine,” he wrote.
Barry Keoghan attends Lionsgate’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow” World Premiere on May 13, 2025 in New York City(Image: Getty Images)
He also detailed how even his family had been targeted by the attacks. “Talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also. Knocking on my granny’s door.
“Sitting outside my baby boy’s house intimidating them. That’s crossing a line. Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” he asserted.
“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,” he expressed.
He concluded: “I need you to remember he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.”
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