Barry Keoghan Confronts Online Abuse Over Parenting and Difficult Past, Calls Trolls’ Comments “Disgusting”

 

Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan has condemned online trolls who target his relationship with his young son, describing the abuse as “disgusting.” The 32-year-old Irish actor, who is currently dating American singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter, shares a two-year-old son, Brando, with his former partner.

During an interview on Louis Theroux’s podcast, Keoghan opened up about the toll of online harassment, particularly regarding his parenting. He also spoke candidly about his challenging upbringing, including his experience in foster care and the impact of losing his mother to drug addiction.

“People judge me as a parent,” Keoghan explained. “But until you’ve lived my childhood, you can’t understand. There’s a lot online. If I didn’t have tough skin, I wouldn’t be here.” He addressed the misconceptions people have, adding, “They call me an absent father, but I’m not. I just choose to protect my child’s privacy.” As he’s gained more attention, Keoghan said he’s posted less about his son to shield him from the scrutiny of social media.

Keoghan’s decision to keep his son offline has fueled harsh speculation, with some calling him an “absent father” and a “deadbeat.” He described these assumptions as enraging, saying, “The audacity of some people, it sickens me and makes me furious.”

Known for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned him a BAFTA award and an Oscar nomination, Keoghan is currently filming a new project for Netflix. He explained that his focus remains on building a career that ensures his son’s future, despite the noise from online critics.

Beyond comments about his parenting, Keoghan also discussed being scrutinized for his appearance on platforms like TikTok, where users pick apart his looks, calling him “weird” or “evil.” Raised in Dublin, Keoghan experienced a turbulent childhood, living in more than 10 foster homes before moving in with his grandmother. He lost his mother at age 12 and his father at 15, both to struggles with addiction. He shared memories of his mother, describing her as “beautiful, almost six feet tall, with dark hair,” and expressed sadness over seeing how addiction affected his family.

While Keoghan said his past still “haunts” him, he views it as a testament to resilience, hoping his story can inspire children rather than evoke pity.