Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has set the internet alight with a seemingly pointed social media post directed at her former boyfriend, actor Barry Keoghan, as 2025 drew to a close.
A Fleeting Romance and a Pointed Post
The 26-year-old American singer, whose career skyrocketed with the 2024 hit Espresso, was linked to the 33-year-old Irish actor in 2024. Their romance, however, was short-lived, ending before the close of that same year.
Now, Sabrina has fuelled fresh speculation about their split. In the liminal period between Christmas and New Year, she reshared a fan's video on TikTok. The clip featured a user stating: "It's been a tough year, but at least I didn't get back with my ex."
Fans were quick to notice the interaction, flooding the comments section to analyse the potential meaning behind her decision to repost the message, widely interpreting it as a veiled reference to Keoghan.
Music, Backlash, and Moving On
This social media activity follows the release of her chart-topping single Manchild from her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend. Many supporters are convinced the scathing track is about Keoghan, though Carpenter has maintained it is not.
The album itself faced controversy in August 2025 over its original cover art, which depicted the singer on all fours with a man holding her hair. After feminist criticism, she unveiled an alternative cover and later addressed the backlash humorously on Saturday Night Live.
Since her split from Barry Keoghan, Sabrina has not publicly confirmed any new relationships. Her romantic history also includes links to singers Shawn Mendes and Joshua Bassett, as well as actor Bradley Steven Perry.
An Optimistic Look Forward
Despite the apparent dig, Sabrina struck a positive and professional tone in her official year-end reflection on Instagram. She promoted a bonus edition of her latest album, writing: "To thank you for such a beautiful year... Man's best friend bonus track edition... is now officially available on streaming."
She added a message of gratitude to her fans: "I love you guys so much. Thank you for caring for these songs the way I do and for such a special 2025! I feel lucky to know there's still so much good to come."
While the true intent behind her TikTok reshare remains known only to her, it has undoubtedly reignited public conversation about her past relationship as she moves forward with her thriving music career.
