Fans speculate that Sabrina’s new song is about her failed relationship with ex-boyfriend and actor Barry Keoghan.
On June 3, 2025, the Juno singer announced the release of her new single Manchild on Instagram. The song is set to drop on June 5, 2025.
Shortly after the announcement, she shared a vintage-inspired photo of herself, presumably from the official music video. Carpenter was dressed in a white cropped shirt tied at the chest, paired with micro denim shorts and her signature voluminous wavy blonde hair.
However, it was the caption that raised eyebrows and immediately sparked fan theories linking the track to the Saltburn actor. The cryptic message read,
“This one’s about you!!
Manchild”
Sabrina Sets The Record Straight On Song’s Real Inspiration
Shortly after the track’s release, social media was abuzz with speculation about the song’s inspiration and real meaning.
Amid the mounting rumors, Sabrina addressed the chatter head-on with a candid Instagram statement. She revealed that Manchild wasn’t born from a breakup, but from a random moment during her relationship with Keoghan. She wrote,
“I wrote Manchild on a random tuesday with Amy and Jack not too long after finishing short n’ sweet and it ended up being the best random tuesday of my life. Not only was it so fun to write, but this song became to me something I can look back on that will score the mental montage to the very confusing and fun young adult years of life”.
The Please Please Please singer went on to clarify that the track isn’t a bitter breakup anthem, but rather a carefree summer bop. She continued,
“It sounds like the song embodiment of a loving eye roll and it feels like a never ending road trip in the summer! Hence why I wanted to give it to you now- so you can stick your head out the car window and scream it all summer long! thank you always and forever for listening and thank you men for testing me!!”
Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan first began dating in December 2023 and publicly confirmed their relationship in May 2024 at the Met Gala.
However, a year later, on December 3, 2024, an anonymous insider close to the couple exclusively confirmed their breakup to PEOPLE magazine. While the source refrained from delving into the specifics, they did shed some light on why the pair decided to part ways, revealing,
“They are both young and career-focused, so they’ve decided to take a break”.
Fans Convinced Sabrina’s New Song Spills Tea On Barry Breakup
Even after Carpenter clarified the inspiration behind her latest song, fans weren’t buying it. Social media exploded with speculation, and many didn’t hesitate to call out Barry directly under her post. Some such comments read,
“He made her hate him prolifically”.
“Damn that salt in the wound BURNS rn I know it 😭”
“You better clock that barry boy!!!”
“Oh s**t Barry’s in DEEP trouble!”
“Barry keoghan rest in peace girl💅🏽”
“Poor Barry, he’s cooked this time”.
“Welp Barry it’s over for you bud! I know Barry is SHAKING”.
“She really gave him a whole album, spelling out exactly what NOT to do…sigh..oh well HIT IT SAB🤩”
Intentional or not, Manchild just crashed the group chat—dragging Barry Keoghan’s name with it. One thing’s for sure: Sabrina’s got another viral summer smash on her hands.