Barry Keoghan says online abuse over appearance has led him to withdraw from public life

Barry Keoghan has said he has withdrawn from public life due to ongoing online abuse about his appearance, raising concerns about the impact of social media criticism on actors.

The Irish actor, known for roles in Saltburn and Dunkirk, spoke candidly about his experiences during a recent interview with SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, describing how negative comments have affected his behaviour and confidence. He said, “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.”

Keoghan explained that the criticism has led him to avoid public settings and social interactions. He said, “It’s made me really go inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside.” He added: “I say this being absolute pure and honest to you. It’s becoming a problem.”

The actor, who deactivated his Instagram account in 2024, said he still occasionally checks online reactions to his appearances. “I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on [the internet],” he said. “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 acknowledged that the situation has influenced both his personal life and professional outlook. He said, “I don’t have to hide away ’cause I am hiding away… I actually don’t go to places because of these things.” He also warned, “When that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem, because then you don’t want to even be on screen anymore.”

He further expressed concern about the long-term effects on his family, stating, “It is disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older.”

Despite the challenges, Keoghan noted the support of his fan base, describing positive interactions with audiences as a more encouraging aspect of his career.