Barry Keoghan has finally addressed the persistent rumors that he cheated on Sabrina Carpenter, revealing that the speculation caused him to retreat from public life. In a candid conversation on the podcast "Friends Keep Secrets," the actor stated that the false narrative made him "disappear."
Keoghan Opens Up About Avoiding Public Life
During Tuesday's episode of "Friends Keep Secrets," Keoghan explained, "I have been avoiding stuff. I've stopped going to events. I've stopped just socializing. There was a narrative out there that was never really sort of even spoken on. A narrative that's not true, and I never confirmed or said anything about it, and I just disappeared."
The hosts—Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky, and Kristin Batalucco—had complimented Keoghan's vibe earlier in the conversation. Keoghan thanked them, admitting he needed to hear that because social media comments had been weighing him down. "There is a lot of hatred towards me for just looking like this," he said.
Comparing Experiences with Online Criticism
Blanco shared his own experiences with online criticism, saying he has tough skin, but Keoghan did not feel the same way. Keoghan noted that being in a public relationship amplifies rumors and negativity. He clarified that he was referring to rumors about cheating in a past relationship, seemingly alluding to Carpenter.
In late 2024, influencer Breckie Hill sparked speculation when she reposted a video suggesting she had hooked up with Keoghan while he was dating Carpenter. Hill later denied the rumors in a video, telling followers she "did not get with" Keoghan.
Avoiding Direct Confrontation
Keoghan said he chose not to directly address the rumors to avoid putting Hill in the public eye. Although he is not logged into his social media accounts, he admitted to occasionally snooping via burner accounts. Keoghan and Carpenter broke up in December 2024 after a year-long relationship. Following the split, Keoghan deleted his Instagram account and wrote on X, "I can only sit and take so much."
Carpenter's Album and Unconfirmed References
In August 2025, Carpenter released her Grammy-nominated album "Man's Best Friend," which includes tracks many fans believe are about Keoghan. Carpenter has not confirmed whether any songs reference him; she told "CBS Mornings" ahead of the release, "I wouldn't say. It's more fun for people to picture the person in their head than the person I picture in my head, I think."
Keoghan's Plea to Stop the Narrative
Keoghan emphasized on "Friends Keep Secrets" that he does not need people to become his fans but wants the public to "stop jumping on this narrative" and "dragging" him down. He then referenced his difficult upbringing, including witnessing his mother's substance abuse. "Why is it cool to hop on and beat someone who has come from a lot? Someone like myself or kids like myself. To survive stuff I've seen as a kid and stuff I've seen. My mom lay on the ground after fucking injecting herself and shit that I have to fight with every day through a lot of therapy, going through addiction myself, and sobriety and to battle all of that, to then want to drag that person down," he said.
