Barry Keoghan, 33, Says Online Abuse Over His Looks Is Making Him Step Back From Acting

Barry Keoghan is opening up about the impact online criticism has had on his personal life and career. The 33-year-old actor discussed the issue during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, which aired on March 20.

He said the negative side of social media has pushed him to distance himself from online platforms and public attention. While he tries to avoid looking at comments, he admitted that he still sometimes checks how events or appearances are received, even though it often leads to seeing harsh feedback.

Barry explained that much of what he reads online focuses on his physical appearance. He said the level of criticism has grown into something that affects his daily life and how he chooses to interact with the outside world.

He shared, “I think I removed myself from online, but I’m still a curious human being that wants to go on and, if I attend an event or if I go somewhere, you want to see how it was received. And it’s not nice. There’s a lot of hate online. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look.”

The actor also spoke about how this experience has changed his behavior. He said it has made him avoid social events and stay away from going out as much as he used to. He was clear that it has reached a point where it is affecting more than just his online presence.

He added, “And I say this being absolute pure and honest to you. It’s becoming a problem. So yeah, I don’t have to hide away because I am hiding away. I don’t have to go to places because I actually don’t go to places because of these things. But when that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore.”

Barry also brought up his concern for his son, Brando, who is three years old. He said it is upsetting to think that his child may one day come across negative comments about him online.

He said, “It is disappointing for the fans, but it’s also disappointing that my little boy has to read all of this stuff when he gets older.”

His comments highlight how online criticism can go beyond public image and affect mental well-being and family life. It also raises wider questions about the pressure public figures face in the age of constant social media feedback.

This situation shows how damaging online hate can be when it becomes personal and constant. Public figures may be in the spotlight, but they still deal with real emotions and real consequences. What do you think about Barry Keoghan’s experience and the impact of online criticism? Let us know in the comments!