Sabrina Carpenter has openly responded to the backlash directed at Barry Keoghan following their breakup, addressing the criticism coming from her fans. The comments come amid discussions about Carpenter’s latest album and the public fallout after their relationship ended.
Details of Their Relationship and Career Highlights
The singer and actor were first linked romantically in September 2023, soon after which they made a public appearance together at the Grammys after-party the following February. Their relationship was also visible at major events such as the MET Gala and Coachella 2024, where Carpenter highlighted Keoghan’s notable Saltburn scene. Additionally, Keoghan appeared in the music video for Carpenter’s hit single “Please Please Please.”
The couple reportedly broke up in December 2024. Following rumours of infidelity, Keoghan publicly condemned the intense and harsh scrutiny he faced online, describing some of the fan behavior as “disgusting” and lamenting how his name had “been dragged across the internet.”
Insights from Carpenter on Fans’ Loyalty and Music Inspiration
On the same day Carpenter released her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, she spoke candidly with CBS Mornings host Gayle King about the album and the controversies surrounding it. The record features the track “Manchild,” which many interpreted as a critique of bad relationships, allegedly inspired by her experiences with Keoghan.
During the interview, King acknowledged the backlash Keoghan received from Carpenter’s devoted fans, telling her he had faced
“a lot of backlash because your fans are very loyal.”
Carpenter responded, “Correct.”
When asked how she viewed the situation, Carpenter explained,
“You know what’s funny? I feel pretty transparent going into any of my relationships, that I write songs. And I think they’re just as down for it. I think also most of the time, they’ve been pretty flattered when they get a song written about them, good or bad.” —Sabrina Carpenter
She further added,
“I think they’re just excited to get a shout-out.” —Sabrina Carpenter
Carpenter also expressed confidence in the kinds of people she attracts romantically:
“I’m not scared of men in that sense. I am scared of men sometimes, but I’m not scared in that sense. I think I will attract exactly who I’m supposed to attract.” —Sabrina Carpenter
Upcoming Projects and Critical Reception
Barry Keoghan is set to portray Ringo Starr in a new four-part Beatles biopic, sharing the screen with Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Meanwhile, Carpenter is reportedly linked to a potential role in the upcoming Mamma Mia 3 film.
Man’s Best Friend garnered critical acclaim upon release, receiving a four-star review from NME critic Nick Levine. Levine noted that while the album did not stray far from the musical style of Carpenter’s previous work, it incorporated more country influences among its disco and funk sounds.
Levine also remarked on Carpenter’s lyrical approach, writing,
“It also sticks to Carpenter’s winning formula of pairing sticky melodies with pithy lyrics about the flaws and allure of inadequate males. If there were a Bechdel Test for pop albums, ‘Man’s Best Friend’ wouldn’t be in danger of passing it.” —Nick Levine, NME
Implications of Carpenter’s Public Response and Future Outlook
By addressing the Barry Keoghan breakup backlash directly, Sabrina Carpenter has shed light on the tensions between her artistic expression and fan reactions. Her openness about writing transparently about relationships aims to challenge the intense scrutiny faced by all parties involved. Given the album’s strong reception and Keoghan’s rising profile in film, both figures appear poised to continue their careers amid ongoing public attention and speculation.
