Barry Keoghan Closes Instagram Account Citing ‘Hatred’ and Personal Attacks

Irish actor Barry Keoghan has closed his Instagram account, citing the receipt of messages he described as “no person should ever have to read.” This action follows speculation regarding a separation between the 32-year-old star of “Saltburn” and his girlfriend, American pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Through a post on X, Keoghan requested “please be respectful” and explained his departure from Instagram by stating he can “no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work.” He elaborated, writing, “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,” adding, “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.” He further stated, “Dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for.” Keoghan indicated that the remarks were “crossing a line” because they involved “dragging my dear mother into it.” He also mentioned incidents such as his grandmother’s door being knocked and individuals “intimidating them” by sitting outside his baby son’s residence. Keoghan shares a 2-year-old son, Brando, with a former partner. He has previously spoken openly about his challenging upbringing, which included time in foster care following his mother’s death from a drug overdose. In the same statement, Keoghan further expressed: “Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy (his son).” He continued, “I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow.” He also stated, “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 concluded this part of his message with a plea: “I need you to remember he has to read all of this about his father when he is older.” and “Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.” The previous month, during an appearance on the Louis Theroux Podcast, Keoghan disclosed that he had encountered “absolutely disgusting” online comments concerning his physical appearance. He also discussed instances where his son was utilized as “ammunition” against him. He was quoted saying, “If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength to have, I wouldn’t be sitting here. Of course, (my childhood is) going to affect me being a father when I had no blueprint to take from,” adding, “People just read that (as) laziness and go, ‘Oh, that’s no excuse to be an absent father’. I’m not an absent father.” He reiterated, “But it’s just, again, people love to use my son as ammunition or whatever.” In 2023, Keoghan was awarded the Bafta for best supporting actor for his performance in the dark comedy “The Banshees Of Inisherin,” a role for which he also earned an Academy Award nomination. His other cinematic credits include portraying Martin in “The Killing Of A Sacred Deer” and Dympna in “Calm With Horses.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.