Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan has responded to online trolls who he says use his relationship with his son against him in a “disgusting” way.
The 32-year-old actor from Ireland, who is in a relationship with American singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter, has a two-year-old son named Brando with his ex-partner.
During an episode of the Louis Theroux podcast, Keoghan opened up about the negative impact of online trolling, as well as his challenging childhood in foster care and the loss of his mother due to drug addiction.
Keoghan expressed frustration at the judgment he faces as a parent, saying, “Until you’ve experienced my childhood, you can’t judge me. There’s a lot of criticism online. If I didn’t have a tough skin or the strength I have, I wouldn’t be here. My childhood experiences have definitely influenced my parenting, as I had no example to follow.”
“People use my son as a weapon against me. This has led me to share less about my child online because I don’t think it’s fair to expose him to that negativity,” he added.
Keoghan emphasized that he is not an absent father, despite what some may assume. He explained, “People create false narratives and label me as an absent father or a deadbeat dad. The audacity of some individuals sickens me and makes me angry.”
The Saltburn actor, currently working on the Netflix adaptation of Peaky Blinders, stated that his primary focus is on building a strong body of work and providing a secure future for his child.
Keoghan, who won the Bafta for Best Supporting Actor in 2023 for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin, also addressed the negative comments about his appearance, particularly on TikTok.
He recounted his difficult upbringing in Dublin, where he lived in various foster homes before eventually residing with his grandmother. Keoghan lost his mother at the age of 12 and his father at 15.
Reflecting on his mother’s battle with drug addiction, he described her as “gorgeous” and lamented the impact of substance abuse on his family.
Despite the challenges he faced, Keoghan stressed that he does not blame his mother and hopes his story can inspire others, rather than evoke pity.