Irish actor Barry Keoghan has finally spoken out about the cheating speculation that followed his split from pop star Sabrina Carpenter, addressing the claims nearly a year and a half after they broke up.
The rumors hit the Saltburn actor hard, with the backlash becoming so intense that he ultimately stepped away from social media after fans of the 26-year-old Espresso singer turned on him amid accusations of infidelity.
Keoghan, 33, and Carpenter’s relationship ended in late 2024, closing out a romance that lasted around a year. Not long after, online theories spiraled, including viral claims that he had been involved with a “semi-famous” TikTok personality.
Although the allegation initially gained traction after an anonymous submission to gossip account DeuxMoi, neither Keoghan nor Carpenter publicly explained what caused the breakup—until Keoghan discussed the situation in a new interview with Benny Blanco.
Keoghan appeared on Blanco’s laid-back podcast, ‘Friends Keep Secrets’, joining the producer for a candid conversation—so informal, in fact, that the actor opened up while sitting on the kitchen floor.
After more than a year of staying silent, Keoghan explained why he pulled back from public life as the story spread online.
The actor said: “I came off Instagram, social profiles. I stopped going to events, socialising. It’s because there was a narrative out there that’s not true. I never confirmed or said anything about it so I just disappeared.”
Podcast co-host Lil Dicky then pressed him on what many people believed was at the center of the speculation.
Lil Dicky asked: “Is it something about cheating?”
Even after logging off and avoiding public appearances, Keoghan said the rumors continued to follow him. He also noted that one person involved in fueling the claims later walked them back—though he felt that retraction received far less attention than the original accusation.
Barry Keoghan opens up to Benny Blanco about avoiding public events and stopping socializing after rumors he cheated on Sabrina Carpenter with influencer Breckie Hill, saying it broke his heart 😳👀
“I have been avoiding stuff, I’ve stopped socializing, because there was a… pic.twitter.com/F1ZZruVT2H
— Killa 🌺 (@KillaKreww) April 28, 2026
Answering Lil Dicky’s question, he said: “That I cheated, yeah. I don’t want to ever bring anyone else into it but unfortunately, having a relationship in the public eye, it’s amplified.
“You see the narrative, a girl made a video and then a girl made the same video and said sorry for making that up but no one seem to latch on to that video.”
The TikTok creator at the center of the rumor has also publicly denied it, stating she had never met the actor.
“I have never encountered this man in my life. The only time I’ve ever seen him is on my TV screen from watching Saltburn,” influencer Breckie Hill said on social media.
Keoghan still didn’t offer details about what actually ended the relationship. However, he has been linked by fans to Carpenter’s song Manchild, leading some to believe the track may offer hints about how things unfolded.