Did Sabrina Carpenter take another dig at Barry Keoghan? Her New Year’s post sparks chatter — here’s what fans noticed

As 2026 begins, Sabrina Carpenter is once again drawing attention online, not with a new song announcement, but with a few carefully chosen social media reposts. The singer and actress appeared to quietly reference her past relationship with actor Barry Keoghan, and fans were quick to notice the timing and message behind it.

Sabrina Carpenter, 26, recently reposted two videos from a popular TikTok trend. In the clips, users write the line, “It’s been a tough year, but at least I didn’t get back with my ex.” Both videos were set to Carpenter’s own song, “Manchild”.

While Carpenter did not add any personal caption or explanation, many fans saw the reposts as a subtle shade aimed at her former boyfriend. The timing stood out, as the reposts came shortly after her breakup with Barry Keoghan was confirmed in December 2023.

Carpenter and Keoghan first sparked dating rumours in December 2023 when they were spotted having dinner together in Los Angeles. Over the following months, the two were seen together several times, including moments of public affection.

Keoghan also regularly left warm and supportive comments on Carpenter’s Instagram posts, which further fuelled talk of a growing romance.

Despite the attention, Carpenter stayed guarded when asked about her relationship. During a June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, she avoided confirming labels. When asked if Keoghan was her boyfriend, she responded, “How do I skirt around this question?”

Even as their relationship remained private, Carpenter and Keoghan collaborated professionally. In June, Carpenter cast Keoghan in the music video for her song “Please Please Please”.

Speaking about the choice later on CBS Sunday Morning with Tracy Smith in October, Carpenter praised Keoghan openly. “I was like, ‘Who’s the greatest actor that I can find for this music video?’ And he was next to me in a chair, and he was so excited about it,” she said.

After their split was announced in December 2025, Barry Keoghan revealed that he had deactivated his Instagram account due to online harassment. In a message shared on X, the actor explained his decision. “I can only sit and take so much,” he wrote, adding that his name had been “dragged across the internet,” Keoghan said he stepped away from Instagram because he could not allow the negativity to affect his family or his work.

He also addressed the nature of the messages he received, saying, “No person should ever have to read the comments sent to him. He described them as 'absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.”

Since the breakup, Carpenter has not publicly confirmed being in a new relationship. Her past romantic links include Canadian singer Shawn Mendes, American vocalist Joshua Bassett, and actor Bradley Steven Perry.