Barry Keoghan deactivates Instagram account; cites intense social media harassment as reason

After social media became abuzz with news of Barry Keoghan deactivating his Instagram handle, the actor took to his official X handle to explain the reason in a brief statement.

“I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to,” the Dunkirk actor said. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received... no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.”

The decision comes in the wake of disconcerting speculations regarding his breakup with pop heartthrob Sabrina Carpenter and his relationship with the infant son he shares with ex-partner Alyson Sandro, with whom he broke up in 2022. When Keoghan began dating Carpenter immediately after, the actor was harangued on social media. Things got worse when Keoghan and Carpenter broke up as well, leading many to believe that Keoghan had indulged in infidelity.

Keoghan added the situation got so unpleasant to the point that some people started "knocking on my granny's door" and "sitting outside my baby boy’s house."

“Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” Keoghan continued. “I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail, and grow. 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. I need you to [remember] he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all."

Keoghan, last seen in Saltburn and the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air, will next appear in filmmaker Andrea Arnold's 'Bird' and the thriller 'Bring Them Down' directed by Christopher Andrews. He is also eyed to play drummer Ringo Starr in director Sam Mendes' upcoming film about The Beatles.