Barry Keoghan has spoken candidly about the ‘online hate’ he’s faced over his appearance, and why it’s pushed him to consider taking a step back from acting.
The Saltburn star has previously addressed the impact of internet trolling on his life and career. In a November 2024 conversation on The Louis Theroux Podcast, he explained how criticism has extended beyond his work and into his personal life.
“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’t comment. There’s a lot online.
“If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength I have, I wouldn’t be sitting here.”
More recently, the 33-year-old has shared that the volume and intensity of comments about how he looks have begun affecting his willingness to be seen in public, prompting him to withdraw from the spotlight.
Appearing on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, Keoghan said the abuse has gone beyond what he can comfortably brush off.
“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 – you know, everyone goes through that…but it’s made me shy away.
“It’s made me really go inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside,” Keoghan continued. “I say this being absolute pure and honest to you. It’s becoming a problem.”
Keoghan also referenced his decision to deactivate Instagram in December 2024, after saying he had been sent messages that ‘no person should ever have to read’.
Reflecting on the kinds of remarks he’s been confronted with, he added: “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.”
Even without social media accounts, he explained that it’s difficult to fully avoid the noise, especially when public appearances spark fresh waves of commentary.
He added on The Morning Mash Up: “I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on [the internet]. And if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it’s received. And it’s not nice, you know?”
Keoghan also suggested the fallout could affect his future work, particularly if the negativity starts influencing how he feels about performing.
“When that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem, because then you don’t want to even be on screen anymore,” he added.
He went on to say it troubles him to think about his young son potentially encountering these comments as he grows up. Despite the experience, Keoghan noted he’s grateful for the support he continues to receive from his dedicated fans.