Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Online Abuse and Its Impact on His Career

Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan has revealed that relentless online abuse targeting his appearance is significantly affecting his life, to the point where he actively avoids public spaces. The Irish actor, currently portraying Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biographical film series, shared his struggles with SiriusXM host Ben Harlum, explaining that despite leaving social media in 2024 due to the abuse, it continues to impact him.

Withdrawal from Public Life

Keoghan stated he is “shying away” from public appearances and experiencing a growing reluctance to continue acting. While acknowledging the support of many fans, he highlighted a pervasive “nasty side” to online interactions. “There’s a lot of hate online. There’s a lot of abuse of how I look, and it’s kind of past the point of, ‘Everyone goes through that,’” he explained. “It’s made me shy away. It’s made me really go inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside.”

He admitted to now “hiding away” and actively avoiding events due to the abuse, expressing concern that it could ultimately jeopardize his career. “I actually don’t go to places since of these things,” Keoghan said. “But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem, because then you don’t want to even be on screen any more.”

Past Harassment and Family Concerns

Keoghan previously addressed online harassment in 2024, accusing individuals of targeting his family after his breakup with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, including incidents of harassment at his grandmother’s home and intimidation near his son’s residence. He expressed concern about the long-term impact of this negativity on his three-year-old son, Brando. “It’s also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older,” he said.

The Beatles Project and Current Role

Keoghan is currently filming his role as Ringo Starr in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Sam Mendes. The project, set for release in 2028, will consist of four biographical films, each focusing on a different member of the Beatles: John Lennon (Harris Dickinson), Paul McCartney (Paul Mescal), George Harrison (Joseph Quinn), and Ringo Starr (Keoghan). The films are being written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne and produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Neal Street Productions, and Apple Corps.

He is also starring in Netflix’s Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.