Sabrina Carpenter on Feeling Guilty About Backlash Against Barry Keoghan After Their Breakup

With the release of her latest album Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter opens up about her former relationship with the very person who informed part of the record’s narrative: Barry Keoghan.

During her appearance on CBS Mornings this past Friday, host Gayle King asked Carpenter whether she felt any remorse for the wave of negativity Keoghan faced after their breakup.

“Correct,” Carpenter replied candidly, prompting King to follow up: “Did you feel badly when he was going through that?”

“It’s funny, I approach my relationships transparently when I write,” the Grammy nominee explained. “Nine times out of ten, people are honored to inspire a song, whether it casts them in a flattering light or otherwise.”

She continued, “They enjoy the shout-out. I’m not intimidated by men in that regard. Sure, men can be daunting, but not when it comes to songwriting. I trust I’ll attract who I’m meant to attract.”

The conversation comes roughly nine months after the pair parted ways after one year together, a relationship during which Keoghan appeared in the music video for Carpenter’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “Please Please Please.” At the time, a representative told People that both artists were young and career-driven, choosing to take a break.

Shortly thereafter, Keoghan deactivated his Instagram, citing relentless online abuse connected to their split. “My name was dragged across the internet,” he said, decrying the “lies, hatred, disgusting commentary” about his appearance, character and more.

Carpenter appears to address the breakup through tongue-in-cheek lyrics on Man’s Best Friend. On the lead single “Manchild,” she jabs at an ex for falling short, and on “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night,” she sings, “You say we’re drifting apart / I said, ‘Yeah, I f–king know.’”

While Carpenter may not have found lasting romance with Keoghan, she’s ecstatic for her longtime friend Taylor Swift—who features Carpenter on the title track of her upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl—after news of Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce.

“I’m so happy for them,” she beamed on CBS Mornings. “I’ve admired Taylor since I first heard her at eight years old on the school bus; it changed my life.”

Watch the full interview below.

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