Barry Keoghan May “Shy Away” From Acting Amid Online “Abuse”

by

Barry Keoghan is getting vulnerable about the effects of cyberbullying.

The actor known for his role in Saltburn has said he’s thinking about leaving acting because of negative comments about his appearance online.

Barry, 33, explained in a March interview with SiriusXM that he’s stepped back from being online, but still cares about how his work is received in public. He said the main reason is the amount of negativity and criticism he encounters online, particularly about his appearance. He described a lot of online hate and abuse.

Honestly, hearing him talk about the criticism just breaks my heart. He said it’s made him withdraw, like he doesn’t want to go out anymore. It’s like all the negativity has made him retreat into himself, and it’s just… devastating to hear. He used to be so open, but now he just wants to hide away, and I completely understand why, but it still hurts so much to think about!

He admitted it was starting to affect his life. He explained he wasn’t intentionally avoiding things, but he was avoiding them because of what he was going through. The real issue, he said, was when it began to impact his work – he lost the desire to even be on camera anymore.

Although his fans would be heartbroken if he stopped acting, Dev Patel is also considering how negative comments about his appearance might impact his three-year-old son, Brando, whom he shares with his ex-partner, Alyson Sandro.

He acknowledged the fans would be upset, but he was even more concerned about his son having to see all the negative comments later on.

Being in the public eye definitely has its downsides, but Barry also emphasized the incredible support he’s received from fans and how much that has contributed to his success.

He expressed gratitude for his amazing fans, saying people are genuinely kind. He especially enjoys Q&A sessions because they allow him to connect with fans, answer their questions, and share himself with them.

He added, “That is the good side of it.”

Barry isn’t alone in speaking up about dealing with online negativity. Keep reading to hear from other celebrities who have confronted body shamers…

In a May 2024 TikTok video, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter shared that she had a significant and upsetting experience online: two strangers commented on her body, which she described as a milestone, though clearly a negative one.

She explained that one person told her she should take Ozempic because of her weight, while another accused her of starving herself. She pointed out that her weight hadn’t changed during that time, and even if it had, it wouldn’t have been their concern.

Okay, seriously, Ava just gets it, you guys! She said the most amazing thing – that nobody, nobody should ever be judged on how they look. It’s like, you have no idea what someone’s dealing with, what hidden battles they’re fighting. And she said, and I quote, that no matter who you are, your real beauty is so much more than just what people see on the outside. It’s just… everything. I’m obsessed with her message!

The singer of “I’m Good” responded to negative comments about her body, saying she was frustrated with constant criticism of her appearance. In a June 2023 tweet, she acknowledged gaining weight and simply stated she was tired of the conversation, asking people to move on.

She also shared that it’s normal for people’s weight to change, explaining that everyone faces different challenges, like medical conditions or medications, and you never know what someone else is dealing with.

Following criticism about her appearance in an Instagram photo, the actress known for The House Bunny responded to those commenting on her weight. She explained that while she usually doesn’t feel the need to address such things, she wanted to speak out against body shaming. She admitted the photo’s angle made her appear smaller than she is, but emphasized that it’s never okay to leave hurtful or judgmental comments about anyone’s body, regardless of what you might think.

Honestly, it really gets to me when people leave comments on my posts telling me I’m too thin or need to gain weight. It’s just… hurtful, and honestly, it feels like straight-up body shaming. I’m telling you, I will not tolerate anyone trying to make me feel bad about my body, period. Any kind of comment like that is just unacceptable to me.

Okay, so after dealing with some negativity, I decided to just focus on self-love and happiness! I posted a photo of myself enjoying the sunshine, and my message to anyone sending bad vibes was simple: I’m choosing joy, and I’m sending them love right back! Basically, I’m going to keep smiling no matter what anyone says, and I’m sending a little playful sass their way too!

 

In February 2021, the actress publicly addressed rumors that she was pregnant. The speculation started after online photos surfaced of her on a film set in Australia, showing her wearing a dark blue tank top. She directly criticized a news outlet, the New York Post, in an Instagram post, stating that it was unacceptable for people to comment on a woman’s body in 2021, and urging them to “do better.” She confirmed she was not pregnant.

As someone who’s been in the public eye for a while, I wanted to address some comments I’ve been seeing online about my weight. I’ve noticed people saying I look too thin or need to eat more, and honestly, it’s a little frustrating. This is actually my natural weight – the weight I’ve been for most of my adult life! What you’ve seen is me going through pregnancy and then simply returning to my normal shape. So, everything is perfectly healthy, and I just wanted to set the record straight.

The singer, who recently faced criticism online about her body and weight, responded to the negativity without saying a word.

During her performance at Manchester Pride 2025, she wore a large T-shirt featuring a graphic of a woman in a cropped tank top and black pushup bra.

After her separation from Jim Edmonds, the former Bravo star asked fans to stop commenting on her weight. She admitted on Instagram in December 2019, ‘I’m too thin,’ and responded to comments like ‘Eat a burger’ by asking for understanding. She explained she was prioritizing her children and handling a difficult situation with as much grace as possible.

The iconic singer recently responded to criticism about her weight, telling Entertainment Tonight that she doesn’t see a problem with her body. She explained that she’s naturally thin, practices ballet, and stays active for her overall well-being – mind, body, and spirit.

If you’re putting yourself out there, you’re bound to face criticism, and that’s okay. I prioritize my own well-being, letting go of anything that doesn’t serve me. I trust my team to handle any issues that arise, and ultimately, I’ve learned you can’t try to make everyone happy.

In June 2020, singer Lizzo responded to criticism about her body. In a TikTok video, she explained that she’s been consistently working out for five years, but not to achieve anyone else’s standards of beauty. She clarified that she’s focused on reaching her personal fitness goals, and that her body is nobody’s business. She powerfully stated that she is beautiful, strong, capable, and dedicated to her work.

The singer known for her song “Confident” has consistently spoken out against body shaming. In a 2016 interview with Glamour, she explained that when someone calls her fat, even when she’s feeling insecure, she simply laughs it off, knowing she’s doing her best. She also pointed out that she doesn’t have a six-pack, and honestly, she doesn’t even want one.

Following the actress’s decision to share a nude photo online, a user criticized her, writing in a now-deleted tweet that it was inappropriate for someone in their 50s to post such content, especially during menopause, and suggesting she should be spending time with her grandchildren instead. The commenter lamented that people no longer seem to age gracefully.

Halle playfully responded to the criticism by sharing a surprising fact: a shrimp’s heart is actually in its head.

The “Señorita” star previously took to Instagram Stories to send a message to her haters.

She started a long post explaining that she’d been avoiding social media to protect her feelings. She’d briefly seen a headline about people criticizing her body, and her first reaction was to feel insecure about what the pictures might look like – worrying about things like cellulite and not posing perfectly. But then she realized it’s normal to have unflattering photos, and her body isn’t meant to be perfect. She added that it’s sad for young girls to grow up trying to achieve an unrealistic standard of beauty in a world full of edited images.

This is for young girls growing up with social media. They’re bombarded with heavily edited photos, and it’s easy to start believing that’s what real people actually look like. Soon, everyone gets used to seeing perfect, airbrushed skin and thinks that’s the standard – but it’s not! It’s completely fake, and increasingly, that’s being presented as reality. We’ve lost sight of what a real woman’s body looks like. It’s okay to have cellulite and fat – it’s normal, beautiful, and natural. I refuse to accept these unrealistic standards, and I hope you will too.

In May 2019, the singer shared a video of her performance at the Hangout Music Festival, where she was wearing a black leotard. Someone commented on social media, questioning her body and comparing her appearance to a previous time. The singer responded directly, stating she had gained weight and asking people to accept it.

She criticized the fashion industry, saying that multiple designers wouldn’t dress her for the Grammys because of her size. In a January 2019 Instagram post, she urged people to embrace body positivity, stating, “Let’s empower women to love their bodies instead of making girls and women feel bad about their size.” She emphasized that beauty comes in all sizes and proudly declared she would still attend the Grammys, size 8 and all, with the hashtag #LOVEYOURBODY.

The celebrity had previously shared a photo of her family celebrating the Golden State Warriors’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. In the picture, she’s holding her son, Canon. Someone then commented, asking if she was pregnant again.

Honestly, when someone asked if I’d share photos of my son, my immediate reaction was a firm ‘no way!’ It’s not that I don’t want to share him with the world, it’s just that carrying a 30-pound little guy is rough on my back, and I wasn’t thrilled about documenting that struggle in every picture!

Someone else commented that if the child weighed 30 pounds, they would have significant health problems. The cookbook author quickly responded, firmly telling the commenter, “Excuse me? Absolutely not.”

Only a week after having her baby, the podcast host shared a message with her followers on Instagram.

As someone who’s navigated post-baby body changes, I just had to share something that’s been on my mind. I recently decided not to post a photo of my stomach, and honestly, I’m so relieved I didn’t. The comments I received on a previous picture were just… harsh. People were questioning if I’d had surgery, assuming I had a chef or endless time to work out – all kinds of things! Yes, I had a C-section, and yes, I’m still healing, but that’s my journey. I’ve actually had a few abdominal surgeries over the years, so my body is unique. In that picture, I was even wearing a belly wrap and high-waisted pants! It’s baffling to me why I even had to defend myself. It really got me thinking: why do we, as women, feel the need to compare ourselves to each other and then tear each other down? Why can’t we celebrate our differences? Our bodies are all so beautifully unique – they heal at different rates, react differently, and simply look different. Shouldn’t we be kinder to ourselves and each other? Let’s focus on lifting women up instead of getting caught in the comparison trap. It’s time we all embraced our individual journeys and recognized that every woman is beautiful, just as she is. I’m sending love to you all, and now, back to enjoying my little one!

In April 2018, actress Candace Cameron Bure posted a photo of herself having dinner with her son, Lev Bure. Someone commented negatively, questioning why she still appeared heavier than her husband despite her workouts and asking if she had changed her eating habits.

The actress quickly responded to the negative comment. She wrote, “If a 25-inch waist seems large to you, it’s because you’re viewing it with unrealistic expectations. Take care.”

Read More

2026-03-21 16:49