Three weeks ago, Barstool Sports personality Brianna Chickenfry (LaPaglia) posted a tear-filled video on her bathroom floor announcing her breakup with country singer, Zach Bryan.
This came after social media users discovered Zach Bryan on high profile dating app, Raya. Bryan took to Instagram to announce the breakup, indicating that it was mutual and asked for space during this time
During a controversial election year, maybe Bryan’s team hoped that this would be enough. That this story wouldn’t blow out of proportion and become the biggest news in pop culture right now…But alas.
The real drama starts when Bri- who has multiple podcasts through the Barstool franchise including BFF’s with influencer Josh Richards and founder Dave Portnoy — released a tell-all podcast episode about her relationship with Bryan.
In the hour-and-a-half long podcast titled “Brianna Chickenfry Talks Zach Bryan Relationship & Breakup,” you learn quite a bit about what went on behind closed doors. It’s already at 3.4 million views, and it’s trending on all social media platforms.
If you feel left behind, here’s a complete breakdown of what Zach Bryan did to Brianna Chickenfry.
The BFF’s Episode, Explained.
The episode starts with an explosive revelation: that Zach Bryan offered Brianna Chickenfry $12 million to sign an NDA that she wouldn’t talk about their breakup.
Brianna turned this money down, citing that she did not want to be silenced. And, another point is that $12 million is pennies compared to what Zach Bryan continues to earn while selling out stadiums.
LaPaglia’s story is one of narcissistic abuse that baffled the entire social media-scape. She shared that she feels “blindsided” by Bryan’s very public announcement of their split because she had asked Bryan to wait a week before saying anything but he didn’t.
She described the relationship as overwhelming due to the intense media attention and alleged that Bryan displayed controlling behaviors, which further complicated the relationship.
For example: LaPaglia hosted a red carpet event at the Golden Globes and when she said another male attendee looked good, Bryan unfollowed LaPaglia on social media and tried to end the relationship.
“You don’t need Raya, you need therapy,” LaPaglia quips at one point.
LaPaglia shares that she wasn’t allowed to listen to Morgan Wallen or Noah Kahan — popular country and folk-pop artists like Bryan. When she sang Wallen’s “Last Night”, Bryan exploded in a fit of rage.
Zach Bryan also proceeded to try to ruin multiple relationships that LaPaglia had formed…including her relationship with her boss, Dave Portnoy, who was banned from Bryan’s concerts.
“He made me believe everything was my fault,” Brianna continued. “He isolated me from my whole entire life. He wouldn’t let me be who I wanted to be. He made me hate everything that I loved about myself.”
LaPaglia also alluded to Bryan’s anger issues…hurling insults at her friends and constantly shattering her phone.
Fans online are posting resurfaced clips from Brianna’s old podcast episodes and TikToks where she’s covered in bruises, or suggesting that her cat was breaking her nose.
LaPaglia’s BFF’s co-hosts — Portnoy and Richards — have released multiple diss tracks online. One of which was taken off YouTube by Zach Bryan’s label — Warner Music — for copyright infringement.
Brianna has also reported that Bryan refuses to return her cat — Stump — to her.
Zach’s Other Women
Zach Bryan was previously married to Rose Madden — and infamously mailed her divorce papers while she was deployed. There were rumors of infidelity swirling while Bryan’s career took off in 2021.
Before Brianna, Zach Bryan was dating Deb Peifer as he soared to fame. While both LaPaglia and Bryan were in respective relationships when they first met Zach…The pair quickly started dating soon after they were introduced.
Peifer has kept a low profile on specific details of her relationship with Bryan. But following the public fallout from Bryan’s split with LaPaglia, Peifer posted a message clarifying that she doesn’t take any satisfaction in seeing other people hurt, particularly other women, indirectly showing support for LaPaglia’s experience.
She also noted that Brianna is “better off.”
Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry’s Relationship Timeline
In June 2023, Brianna Chickenfry joined Zach Bryan onstage with her co-host, Josh Richards, to sing his hit song, “Revival.” This is a regular thing for Bryan, who brings celebrities onstage for the song during each show.
However, LaPaglia had made a podcast episode and tagged Bryan on Instagram after the show. Praising the artist, LaPaglia joked, “Eat the rich, but not Zach Bryan.”
Bryan was recently single, and soon after LaPaglia broke up with her boyfriend at the time. The two started chatting online before seeing each other again.
By July 2023, LaPaglia confirmed rumors that the pair was dating on her podcast, Plan Bri Uncut. She gushed to her friend and co-host, Grace O’Malley.
“We’re just hanging out, having fun, and that’s where I’ve been, that’s what I’ve been doing, that’s what I’m gonna be doing for a little bit. We’ll see where it goes, and I’m happy.”
In January 2024 the Golden Globes disaster happened. Although Bryan shared images of LaPaglia online calling her beautiful, LaPaglia shared a different story post-breakup.
“He said he didn’t want to date someone that presents themselves that way. And he unfollowed me, he unfollowed everyone, and I… when I flew home — I flew home after the Golden Globes. He ruined my night,”
On October 22 (without LaPaglia’s consent), Bryan announces their breakup via Instagram stories. He states,
“She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her. I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and I never will be.”