Barry Keoghan hits back at online trolls over ‘disgusting’ parenting comments

Irish actor Barry Keoghan has bravely hit back at online trolls who have criticized his parenting, calling their comments “disgusting” and revealing how the online abuse affects him. The “Saltburn” star opened up about the harmful impact of trolling in a candid interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, which was released on Tuesday. During the interview, Keoghan discussed not only the cruelty of online criticism but also his challenging childhood in foster care, his rise in the acting world, and briefly touched on his relationship with singer Sabrina Carpenter.

Keoghan, who shares a 2-year-old son named Brando with his ex-partner, shared his frustration with people who pass judgment on his parenting. “People kind of have a judgment on me as a parent,” Keoghan said. “I’m like, well until you’ve walked a day in my shoes growing up as a kid, then you can comment.” He continued, explaining that his strength and resilience, built from his difficult past, help him manage the constant scrutiny. “If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength I have, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” he said.

The actor also expressed how the lack of a traditional parental model has made fatherhood a challenge. “Of course, it’s going to affect me being a father when I had no blueprint to take from,” he admitted. Keoghan further revealed that as his public profile grew, he decided to limit the amount of time he shared about his son on social media. “The more in the public I’ve become, the less I’ve posted about my child, because I don’t think it’s fair to put my child online, there’s sick people out there,” he explained.

However, this decision to keep his child’s life private has led some online users to spread malicious rumors. “Because I’ve reined that in, people draw a narrative and go ‘absent father, sh*t deadbeat dad’ and more disgusting things that I wouldn’t even repeat,” Keoghan said. He called out the audacity of such commenters, adding, “It sickens me and makes me furious.”

Keoghan, who is also known for his Oscar-nominated role in The Banshees of Inisherin, has also faced trolling regarding his physical appearance, particularly on platforms like TikTok. “People can sit there and make videos and be like ‘I don’t like his face, he looks weird, or he looks evil’ and just pick you apart,” he said, revealing how online critiques of his looks can be just as hurtful as those aimed at his parenting.

Keoghan’s childhood was marked by hardship and instability. Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, he was placed in several foster homes after his mother, who struggled with heroin addiction, passed away when Keoghan was just 12. His father also died when he was 15, leaving him to navigate life on his own. Despite these difficulties, Keoghan is determined to use his platform to inspire others who may be going through similar struggles.

Reflecting on how his difficult upbringing has been portrayed in the media, Keoghan expressed frustration at being seen through a lens of pity. “I feel it’s been publicized sort of in a pity story way,” he said, adding, “’Oh, God bless him. His mom passed away… touring foster homes…’ That’s not what I’m looking for.” He clarified that he shares his story not for sympathy, but to motivate young people facing adversity. “If anything, I speak about it to let younger kids know that no matter where you come from, you can always achieve what you put your mind to and not to give up,” he said.

Keoghan also shared that some of his childhood memories still “haunt” him. However, he remains committed to using his success to give back to his community. He expressed a desire to set up a youth club in his hometown to provide local kids with opportunities to explore activities like acting and boxing, which they might not have access to otherwise.

Keoghan’s acting career took off when he was a teenager. At the age of 15 or 16, he spotted an advertisement looking for “actors with no experience” for a small role. That moment marked the start of his rise to stardom. Since then, Keoghan’s career has flourished, with roles in high-profile films and television shows. His appearance in the music video for Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Please Please Please” sparked rumors of a relationship between the two, although Keoghan kept his comments about their connection somewhat private. “All I’m gonna say is, yeah, I’m incredibly blessed. Such a strong, independent lady who’s massively talented and yeah, very special,” he said, speaking warmly of Carpenter.

Keoghan’s open discussion of the challenges he’s faced—from childhood trauma to dealing with online trolls—offers a rare and honest look at the human side of fame. Despite the negativity he faces online, he remains determined to use his experiences to inspire others and continue his journey both as an actor and a father.