Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan Address Breakup Rumors

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan have become the center of intense public speculation as rumors about their relationship status swirl. As talks of a possible breakup gain momentum, both the American singer-actress and the Irish actor have made public statements that only add to the hype surrounding their possible romance.

Carpenter, 25, known for her hit single “Espresso,” has been linked to the Oscar-nominated Keoghan, 31, since December 2023. The pair went public with their relationship in March 2024, gracing the red carpet together at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty. However, recent chatter suggests that the couple might be going through a rough patch.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Carpenter addressed her collaboration with Keoghan on her “Please Please Please” music video. She called the opportunity “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” expressing her honor in working with such a talented actor. In a moment of apparent jest, she scrunched her face and mockingly repeated her praise, indicating either discomfort or playfulness about discussing her relationship with Keoghan.

Carpenter explained her reserve about her private life, stating, “It’s not what I signed up for, but I can’t really help when I was born. I want to be honest—I want to just write about what’s happening in my life as a 25-year-old girl.” She acknowledged the inevitable public interest in her personal life, noting, “But it comes with the territory and I just have to be like… OK!”

In contrast, Carpenter was more open in a Variety interview, where she praised Keoghan’s performance in her music video. “I don’t want to sound biased, but I think he’s one of the best actors of this generation,” she said. Carpenter noted his obsession with the lyrics, adding that it made the video even more special.

Keoghan, though less vocal, has not been entirely silent. On August 16, amid breakup rumors, he liked Carpenter’s Instagram post, in which she appeared in blue lingerie. A couple of weeks later, he commented on a Bratz Instagram post featuring Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega dolls, sparking further speculation among fans.

Additionally, an unnamed source recently told People that Carpenter and Keoghan’s relationship is “on and off,” suggesting a rocky dynamic. According to a report in OK! Magazine, the couple had “definitely broken up” due to frequent arguments but hinted at the possibility of a future reconciliation.

The timeline of their romance has been meticulously followed by both fans and media. Initial dating rumors started in December 2023 when they were spotted on a dinner date in Los Angeles. This was followed by a public appearance at a Grammy Awards afterparty in February 2024, and their couple debut on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in March.

Carpenter’s new album, “Short n’ Sweet,” released on August 23, has only fueled the gossip. Fans believe that some tracks, especially “Bed Chem,” refer to her relationship with Keoghan. The lyrics mention a “cute boy with the white jacket and the thick accent” and describe her wearing a sheer dress when they first met, possibly alluding to their encounter at Givenchy’s Spring-Summer 2024 show in Paris.

Other songs on the album have led to speculation about different relationships. Some fans interpret the song “Taste” as referencing a love triangle involving Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, and his ex Camila Cabello. Carpenter was linked briefly to Mendes in 2023 before he reportedly reconnected with Cabello.

In June 2024, before her album’s release and amid growing interest in her relationship with Keoghan, Carpenter discussed the difficulties of maintaining privacy in an interview with Rolling Stone. She hinted at the undefined nature of her relationship, questioning how she could “skirt around this question” when asked if Keoghan was her boyfriend.

Carpenter reflected on the challenges of privacy in the social media era in her interview with The Guardian. “In this era of social media, it’s difficult to keep anything private. It’s not what I signed up for, but it’s the reality of the time we live in,” she said. “I just want to be honest and write about what’s happening in my life as a 25-year-old woman.”

Source: People, The Guardian, Variety, OK! Magazine, Rolling Stone