Barry Keoghan, acclaimed for his role in 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' faces intense online trolling and family intimidation. The actor, who has endured a turbulent past, is now challenging the relentless cyberbullying impacting his personal and professional life.
- Barry Keoghan faces online harassment
- The family threats escalate concerns
- Barry is defending his own amidst criticism
Barry's ire
Actor Barry Keoghan has found himself at the center of a storm of online harassment, which he describes as "inhumane."
Recently, he took to X to express his frustration after deactivating his Instagram account, highlighting the toll this has taken on his family.
He stated, "My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to... I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work." Keoghan's journey from a challenging childhood in Dublin, marked by foster care and the loss of both parents, to his rise as an Oscar-nominated actor, adds a poignant backdrop to his current struggles.
Keoghan's concerns extend beyond the digital realm, as he reveals incidents of intimidation affecting his family. He shared that individuals have been "knocking on my grannies door" and "sitting outside my baby boy’s house intimidating them." These actions, which he deems as crossing a line, have exacerbated the distress caused by online trolling.
The recent end of his relationship with American singer Sabrina Carpenter has only intensified the scrutiny and criticism directed at him.
Critics have also targeted Keoghan's role as a father to his two-year-old son, Brando. He has faced "disgusting commentary" about his parenting, with some accusing him of being an "absent father."
Keoghan, however, is resolute in defending his parenting, stating, "People kind of have a judgment on me as a parent... There’s a lot online. If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength I have, I wouldn’t be sitting here." Keoghan's decision to limit his son's presence online stems from his desire to protect his child from the "sick people out there."
"The more in the public I’ve become, the less I’ve posted about my child, because I don’t think it’s fair to put my child online, there’s sick people out there," said Keoghan.
"And because I’ve reined that in, people draw a narrative and go ‘absent father, sh*t deadbeat dad’ and more disgusting things that I wouldn’t even repeat. Just the audacity of some people, man, it sickens me and makes me furious."
He spoke in a similar vein about the trolls who comment on his appearance, "especially on TikTok… people can sit there and make videos and be like ‘I don’t like his face, he looks weird, or he looks evil’ and just pick you apart."
The effects of online bullying on celebrities can be profound, often leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. For some, the relentless nature of online trolling can cause significant emotional distress, while others are driven to take extended breaks from social media or even consider leaving the platforms altogether.
In some tragic cases, the pressure of constant online negativity has led to more serious consequences, with notable examples of celebrities facing severe mental health struggles due to the intense scrutiny.
As a response, many celebrities have become advocates for online kindness and mental health awareness, using their platforms to promote positivity and combat cyberbullying.
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Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, for instance, have publicly shared their experiences with online harassment, encouraging others to support one another and stand up against hate. Still, the problem persists, and the challenge remains for both stars and their fans to foster a healthier, more respectful online environment.
Keoghan's experiences underscore the harsh realities of public life, where personal boundaries are often disregarded. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to focus on his family and career, refusing to let the negativity overshadow his achievements.
