Fame Takes Its Toll

Irish actor Barry Keoghan, known for standout roles in Saltburn and the upcoming Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has opened up about the personal toll of fame, revealing how online abuse has begun to reshape his daily life.

Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, the 33-year-old admitted that persistent criticism — particularly about his appearance — has led him to withdraw from public spaces and events. “There’s a lot of hate online.”

Keoghan explained that the intensity of digital scrutiny has made him increasingly reluctant to step into the spotlight, with the impact extending beyond his personal life and into his creative work. The actor, who earned widespread acclaim for The Banshees of Inisherin from director Martin McDonagh, is part of a new wave of Irish talent alongside figures such as Paul Mescal and Cillian Murphy.

The issue also carries personal weight for Keoghan as a father. He shares his son, Brando, with former partner Alyson Kierans, and has expressed concern about his child one day encountering negative commentary online.

His private life has often played out in the public eye. After separating from Kierans in 2023, Keoghan entered a high-profile relationship with Sabrina Carpenter, appearing in her music video for Please Please Please before their split in late 2024.

Recent attention intensified after a video of the actor arriving solo at an Oscars afterparty circulated on X, prompting analysis from body language expert Darren Stanton, who noted his reserved demeanor.

As his profile continues to rise, Keoghan’s experience highlights the growing tension between public success and the pressures of constant online visibility.