Barry Keoghan finally breaks silence on Sabrina Carpenter cheating claims: 'I never confirmed'

During the podcast episode, he shared that the rumors influenced his decision to pull back from social media and stay out of the public eye
Barry Keoghan talks about Sabrina Carpenter on 'Friends Keep Secrets' podcast on April 28 (Getty Images)
Barry Keoghan talks about Sabrina Carpenter on 'Friends Keep Secrets' podcast on April 28 (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Saltburn' actor Barry Keoghan has finally addressed rumors claiming Sabrina Carpenter cheated on him, dismissing the speculation as completely untrue. He said he never confirmed any of the claims, even as people kept accusing him of cheating on Carpenter.

Speaking on 'Friends Keep Secrets', hosted by Benny Blanco, Keoghan appeared alongside Lil Dicky and Kristin Batalucco. During the April 28 episode, he explained that the rumors played a role in his decision to step back from social media and limit public appearances. Keoghan and Carpenter split in December 2024 after dating for about a year.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Barry Keoghan arrives at the 2024 Governors Awards at Dolby Theatre on November 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
Barry Keoghan arrives at the 2024 Governors Awards at Dolby Theatre on November 17, 2024, in Hollywood, California (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

Barry Keoghan talks about Sabrina Carpenter's breakup 

The actor said he stepped away from Instagram, public events, and even socialising because he felt overwhelmed by a story he says was untrue about him cheating on Carpenter. During the conversation, Lil Dicky asked him directly if the rumor was about cheating. Keoghan confirmed that was exactly what people were saying.

“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.”

He shared that the situation led him to pull back even more from public life. “I feel in a safe space to say this, but I have been avoiding stuff. I came off Instagram and social profiles. I’ve stopped going to events. I’ve stopped just socializing,” he explained.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Sabrina Carpenter attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Sabrina Carpenter attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026, in Los Angeles, California (John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Keoghan repeated that the narrative being pushed online did not match reality. “It’s because 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,” he added.

The actor said he is not asking for sympathy, but wants people to stop attacking him over assumptions. “I’m not asking for people to become my fan and like me because that’s not normal. I’m asking for people to stop assuming and also stop jumping on this narrative and attacking me and dragging me down in any way you can,” he said. 

(L-R) Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attend The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter attend The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024, in New York City (Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

“I’m not saying this for pity. Why is it cool to hop on and beat someone up?” He also said dating in the public eye can quickly get out of control, with rumors spreading fast online. Keoghan pointed to one woman who shared a video pushing the cheating claims, but later admitted she made the story up.

Barry Keoghan explained why he deleted Instagram after his breakup 

Keoghan and Carpenter’s breakup sparked major buzz and quickly became a hot topic online. The constant noise pushed Barry Keoghan to step back from social media, something he also admitted during his podcast appearance.

Not long after deleting his account, Keoghan spoke out on X to explain his decision, without directly naming Carpenter. “I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to,” wrote Keoghan, who shares a 3-year-old son with his ex-girlfriend Alyson Sandro.



“I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where too many lines are being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract me from my family and my work.”

He also addressed the kind of remarks he had been facing online. “Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine, dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for,” he added.

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