Barry Keoghan, star of Saltburn, has deactivated his Instagram account after enduring days of harassment. The actor took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain that he has been subjected to both online and offline harassment.
Keoghan revealed that he has received hateful messages containing “absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character,” and even his parenting. He also shared a troubling escalation, reporting that individuals have begun intimidating him and his family in person.
“I can only sit and take so much,” Keoghan wrote. “My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to. 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.
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. Dragging my character and everything I’ve worked extremely hard for and stand for.”
The actor’s statement comes in the wake of his breakup with pop star Sabrina Carpenter after a year-long relationship, an announcement made just last week.
The split has fueled a torrent of commentary, with much of the vitriol directed at Keoghan, including allegations of infidelity, which he has denied. Some fans, apparently from Carpenter’s fervent fanbase, have taken their grief to extremes, engaging in cyberbullying and even physical intimidation.
Reports include threats aimed at Keoghan’s grandmother and his young son, an alarming overreach from fans reacting to a situation that does not involve them.
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter (Photo: Filmmagic)
Keoghan has also opened up about the deeply personal attacks on his family history. The actor’s mother died of a heroin overdose when he was just 12 years old, a tragedy his harassers have weaponized by calling him a “heroin baby” and mocking his upbringing.
Even more concerning are reports of individuals “sitting outside [his] baby boy’s house” to intimidate the child’s family. Keoghan shares a son with Alyson Kierans, a dental nurse he met in 2021. Although the couple has since separated, Keoghan emphasizes his commitment to being a supportive father and creating a healthy environment for his child.
“Talking about how I was a heroin baby and how I grew up—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,” Keoghan stated.
“Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy. 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. I need you to remember—he has to read all of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all.”
Unfortunately, such behavior is not unprecedented in fan spaces, especially over the past 15 years. High-profile actors, such as those involved in Star Wars, and celebrities linked to popular musicians have often been the targets of similar harassment. While the intensity of the backlash is unsettling, it serves as a reminder of the growing toxicity in online fan communities.
For those struggling to cope with celebrity news, The A.V. Club suggests a straightforward remedy: reach out to a friend who can offer the most grounding advice imaginable: “Log off.”
