Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Impact of Online Abuse

Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan has revealed the significant toll online abuse regarding his appearance is taking on his life, leading him to withdraw from public life and, at times, not wanting to leave his home. The 33-year-old actor shared his experiences in a recent interview on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, detailing how the constant negativity has affected his well-being and even his approach to his craft.

Withdrawal from Public Life

Keoghan, known for his roles in The Banshees of Inisherin and Saltburn, explained that despite leaving social media in 2024 due to the abuse, he still encounters negativity when he attends public events or is seen in public. He admits to being curious about public reaction to his appearances, but finds the response is often “not nice.”

“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,’” Keoghan stated. He added that the abuse has made him “shy away” and “really travel inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside.”

Impact on Work and Future Concerns

The actor expressed concern that the online abuse is beginning to affect his work, creating anxieties that “leak into your art.” He admitted to feeling as though he doesn’t even want to be on screen anymore due to the constant negativity. Keoghan is currently preparing to portray Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles tetralogy, alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

He as well voiced worries about his son, Brando, and the possibility of him encountering the abuse online in the future.

A Difficult Past and Rising Star

Keoghan has previously spoken openly about his challenging upbringing in Dublin and his time in foster care. Despite these hardships, he has become one of Ireland’s most internationally recognized actors, earning an Oscar nomination and a BAFTA Supporting Actor win for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin.

Despite his success, Keoghan’s recent comments highlight the damaging effects of online harassment and the challenges faced by public figures in navigating the digital age.