Barry Keoghan addressed his sudden departure from Instagram after deactivating his account Friday night, following intense online scrutiny.
The actor took to X to plead for respect for himself and his family, citing the relentless backlash he’s faced since his breakup with pop star Sabrina Carpenter earlier in the week.
Keoghan, 31, has been at the center of swirling internet rumors suggesting he cheated on Carpenter, with some claims linking him to influencer Breckie Hill. Hill appeared to fuel the speculation by re-posting a TikTok referencing their alleged romance. However, Keoghan did not address Hill directly in his statement.
“Absolute Lies and Hatred”
In his emotional post, the actor described the torrent of abuse he’s received since the rumors began. “The messages I have received—no person should ever have to read them,” he wrote. “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.”
Keoghan also revealed that trolls had taken their harassment offline, claiming they “knocked on my granny’s door” and “sat outside my baby boy’s house intimidating them.”
A Father’s Plea
As a father to a young son, Keoghan implored social media users to consider the long-term impact of their words. “I need you to remember [my son] has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older,” he said, emphasizing how the negativity could affect his child’s perception of him in the future.
Keoghan’s departure from Instagram comes after a difficult week that has seen his personal life subjected to public dissection. While he has yet to comment further on the allegations or his breakup, the actor’s message serves as a reminder of the toll internet harassment can take, not only on public figures but on their loved ones as well.
