Barry Keoghan Calls Girlfriend Sabrina Carpenter a 'Strong, Independent Lady': 'I'm Incredibly Blessed'

Mar. 15, 2025

Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter on May 6, 2024.Photo:Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty

Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty

Barry Keoghanhas loving words to describeSabrina Carpenter.

The actor, 32, addressed his relationship with the singer, 25, during an appearance on the Monday, Nov. 4 episode ofSpotify’sThe Louis Theroux Podcastwhen host Louis Theroux asked, “Are we talking about Sabrina or not? Are you in a relationship with Sabrina Carpenter?” one hour into the episode.

“Oh, I knew you’d do this,” Keoghan said with a laugh, to which the host responded: “We don’t have to. That’s why I asked permission first. I’m like a vampire, I have to be asked in. Can I come in?”

“Listen, all I’m going to say is I’m incredibly blessed,” Keoghan said. “Such a strong, independent lady who’s massively talented and yeah. Pretty special. Louis, you got me. You’re not a vampire.”

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Keoghan noted that he starred in Carpenter’s June music video for her single “Please Please Please” during the conversation, saying, “Great video, great music,” as the podcast host admitted he only learned who Carpenter was “embarrassingly recently.”

“I did know that,” theSaltburnactor added, when Theroux asked if he was aware that Carpenter’saunt Nancy Cartwright is the voice ofThe Simpsons' Bart Simpson.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Keoghan and Carpenterfirst sparked dating rumorsin December 2023 when they were seen getting dinner together in Los Angeles. They were seen together a number of times over the next few months andmade their red carpet debutas a couple on March 10 at Vanity Fair’s Oscars afterparty.

Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan.Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty;Jeff Spicer/Getty;

Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty;Jeff Spicer/Getty;

Back in August, a source told PEOPLE the pair’s relationship is “on and off” as they faced breakup rumors. That same month, Carpenter toldThe Guardianshe “got to work with such a great actor” when the outlet asked her about Keoghan.

“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 said at the time about public interest in her love life. “But it comes with the territory and I just have to be like … okay!”

Keoghan, best known for his roles inDunkirkandThe Banshees of Inisherin, is a father to ason named Brando, whom he welcomed with ex Alyson Sandro in August 2022. Carpenter, meanwhile, has previously beenromantically linked to Shawn MendesandJoshua Bassett.

source: people.com