Ella Kittler| Writer
November 14, 2024
The messy breakup between country music star Zach Bryan and Barstool Sports personality Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia has captured widespread attention online. Here’s everything you need to know about the couple, their rocky relationship, and the fallout that has kept fans buzzing.
Who Are Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia?
Zach Bryan: A 28-year-old Navy veteran turned country music star, Bryan first gained widespread attention with his 2019 viral hit “Heading South.” Since then, his career has skyrocketed, with multiple chart-topping albums and Grammy nominations, making him one of country music’s biggest stars. Sarah Sevilla, a junior at San Clemente High School, said, “Zach is one of my favorite artists. My favorite song is ‘Nine Ball’.”
Brianna LaPaglia, A 25-year-old podcast host and former TikToker, LaPaglia became popular for her viral videos and humor. She now works for Barstool Sports, co-hosting the “PlanBri Uncut” podcast with Grace O’Malley and “BFFs” with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy and influencer Josh Richards.
How Did They Meet?
Bryan and LaPaglia first met in May 2023 at the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM). By June 2023, rumors about their relationship began circulating when LaPaglia made a surprise on-stage appearance during “Revival” at one of Bryan’s concerts in New York City. Shortly after, the couple confirmed they were dating—just a month after Bryan’s public split with ex-girlfriend Deb Peifer and LaPaglia’s own breakup with an unnamed boyfriend.
Drama Before the Breakup
Their relationship was filled with controversy from the start:
– Both were reportedly seeing other people when they began dating, fueling cheating rumors. LaPaglia had also made public comments about “overlapping relationships,” which didn’t help.
– In September 2023, Bryan was arrested for obstruction of justice, while LaPaglia faced backlash for old Instagram comments that allegedly contained racial slurs.
The Breakup
In late October 2024, after a year of dating, the couple quietly split. The following day, Bryan confirmed the breakup publicly on Instagram, saying it was “for the best.” However, LaPaglia expressed feeling blindsided, tearfully revealing in a YouTube video that she hadn’t even shared the news with her closest family members before Bryan’s announcement.
Allegations
Things took a darker turn when, in November 2024, LaPaglia accused Bryan of emotional abuse during a podcast episode, claiming she was “still scared of him.” She also alleged that Bryan offered her $12 million and an NDA to keep quiet about their relationship, implying that his exes may have endured similar treatment. Bryan has not yet addressed the allegations directly.
In retaliation, LaPaglia’s co-hosts, Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, released a diss track titled “Smallest Man,” mocking Bryan and his past controversies. The song was later taken down due to copyright issues, but Portnoy followed up with another track, “Country Diddy,” which continued to support LaPaglia’s accusations. Junior Margot Lee commented, “These are some of the funniest songs. Who knew Josh [Richards] had another hit in him?”
What’s Next?
With the emotional abuse allegations, diss tracks, and Bryan’s cryptic social media posts, it’s clear this breakup is far from over. Fans are eagerly awaiting whether Bryan will respond more concretely to the accusations or if the situation will escalate even further.
For now, the messy breakup has captured the attention of both country music fans and Barstool Sports followers, and it seems neither side is ready to back down just yet.
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