Fans think Sabrina Carpenter’s new single calling out a “manchild” is about Barry Keoghan: “This one’s about you”

Fans have been talking about Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming single, and some are convinced it may be calling out Barry Keoghan.

• READ MORE: Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Short n’ Sweet’ review: a new pop princess ascends

News of a forthcoming single was shared earlier this week, when the pop star took to social media to share a teaser video showing her, in grainy footage, struggling to hitchhike. A number of mysterious billboards were also seen around Interstate 69 seemingly in reference to the single, with one reading “Hey men!” and one stating: “I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them”.

Later, Carpenter – who took over the charts in summer 2024 with singles like ‘Espresso’ and ‘Please Please Please’ – confirmed the hints were geared towards a new single called ‘Manchild’, which will drop tomorrow.

“This one’s about you!!” she wrote in the caption, also sharing the album artwork and adding that a 7-inch vinyl for the single is available to order. Another teaser for the vinyl also shared the words: “Inside of your head when you’ve just won an argument with a man”.

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A post shared by Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter)

Now, with the single set to be shared tomorrow, some fans are convinced that from the teasers that the new track is a jab at her ex, Barry Keoghan.

“Sabrina’s not holding back and if “Manchild” is half as sharp as that caption, we’re in for a bold, catchy callout,” wrote one person on X, while another added: “Barry u are over omg”.

“I just know she’s gonna cook Barry so hard,” a third suspected, while someone else wrote: “Sabrina dropping a song called ‘Manchild’?? oh she did it for the girlies who’ve had ENOUGH”.

The two were first rumoured to be dating in September 2023, then made their first public appearance together at the Grammys after-party the following February. They attended the MET Gala together too, Carpenter made a nod to his infamous Saltburn scene at Coachella 2024, and the Banshees of Inisherin actor also starred in the music video for her hit song ‘Please Please Please’.

They were rumoured to have split in December 2024, and amid rumours of cheating, Keoghan took to social media to call out some of the “disgusting” behaviour he faced from fans.

“I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to,” he said. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract me from my family and my work.”

He continued, saying he sat through: “absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine”.

Keogan is set to play Ringo Starr in the forthcoming four-part biopic film series centring around The Beatles – acting alongside Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.

For Carpenter, the single will come as she takes a short break from her ‘Short N’ Sweet’ world tour, which has already completed its run in the US, and will continue with more European dates this summer. The shows include headline slots at BST Hyde Park, where she’ll be joined by  Clairo, Beabadoobee and Olivia Dean.

Beyond that, she has been linked to a possible role in Mamma Mia 3, and it was recently confirmed that she will be returning to Fortnite for an “epic dance party”.

The post Fans think Sabrina Carpenter’s new single calling out a “manchild” is about Barry Keoghan: “This one’s about you” appeared first on NME.