Brianna LaPaglia, known to her fans as Brianna Chickenfry, has become a central figure in a highly publicized and contentious breakup with Grammy-winning country singer Zach Bryan. The split, announced in October 2024, has evolved into a public feud that has sparked widespread discussion on social media, podcasts, and news outlets. LaPaglia’s allegations of emotional abuse, a $12 million non-disclosure agreement (NDA) offer, and controlling behavior by Bryan have raised serious questions about power dynamics in high-profile relationships, the ethics of NDAs, and the impact of emotional abuse in the digital age.
This blog dives into the serious claims against Zach Bryan, explores the contemporary issues surrounding their breakup, and examines how LaPaglia’s openness reflects broader societal conversations about accountability, mental health, and empowerment in 2025.
The Breakup: A Public Unraveling
Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia’s relationship began in July 2023, after meeting at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May of that year. Their romance, initially celebrated with public displays of affection and joint appearances, including at the 2024 Grammys, seemed idyllic to fans. However, the relationship took a dramatic turn when Bryan announced their breakup on Instagram Stories on October 22, 2024, stating, “Brianna and me have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart.
She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her.” LaPaglia, blindsided by the public announcement, responded on her own Instagram Stories, writing, “I’m feeling really blindsided right now,” and announced plans to take a social media break to heal privately.
The breakup quickly escalated from a personal matter to a public controversy when LaPaglia, a Barstool Sports podcaster and co-host of the BFFs Podcast, shared her side of the story. On the November 7, 2024, episode of BFFs, she alleged that Bryan subjected her to emotional abuse, offered her a $12 million NDA to silence her, and exhibited controlling behavior that impacted her personal and professional life. These claims, amplified by her large social media following (2.1 million on TikTok, 1.1 million on Instagram), sparked a firestorm of support and debate, drawing parallels to other high-profile celebrity controversies and raising critical questions about accountability in the entertainment industry.
Serious Claims Against Zach Bryan
LaPaglia’s allegations against Bryan are multifaceted and deeply serious, painting a picture of a toxic relationship marked by emotional manipulation and control. Below are the key claims she has made:
- Emotional Abuse:
- LaPaglia described the past year of her life as “the hardest year of my life dealing with the abuse from this dude,” stating that she is “still scared” of Bryan due to his alleged behavior. She characterized the relationship as a cycle of “build you up, beat you down, apologize over and over,” leaving her emotionally dependent and constantly fearful of angering him.
- Specific incidents include Bryan allegedly screaming at her friends and family during her 24th birthday celebration in June 2024, calling them “losers” and smashing glass, creating a chaotic and intimidating environment. She also claimed he threw her phone against a wall, cracking it, after she played Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night,” highlighting his volatile reactions to minor triggers.
- LaPaglia alleged that Bryan isolated her from friends, family, and her career at Barstool Sports, even offering to pay double her Barstool contract to quit her job and focus solely on being his girlfriend. This isolation led to significant weight loss (down to 109 pounds at 5’9”) and a loss of self-esteem, as she felt compelled to change her image to please him.
- $12 Million NDA Offer:
- LaPaglia claimed that Bryan’s team offered her $12 million and a New York apartment over three years to sign an NDA, preventing her from discussing their relationship or breakup. She rejected the offer, calling it “devil’s money” and stating, “I don’t think you can pay people off that you hurt for them to protect you.” She further alleged that Bryan’s previous exes, including Rose Madden and Deb Peifer, signed similar NDAs, suggesting a pattern of silencing former partners.
- This claim has drawn significant attention, as it raises ethical questions about NDAs in relationships, a topic that has gained traction in 2025 amid broader discussions about transparency and accountability in the #MeToo era.
- Controlling Behavior:
- LaPaglia recounted an incident at the 2024 Golden Globes, where Bryan allegedly criticized her dress, unfollowed her on Instagram, and said he “didn’t want to date someone that presents themselves that way.” This incident, she said, was the first time he tried to control her appearance and social media presence, ruining her night and undermining her confidence.
- She also described Bryan’s disapproval of her listening to artists like Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen, which led to arguments and further isolated her from her personal interests.
- Public Fallout and Diss Tracks:
- Following the breakup, LaPaglia’s BFFs Podcast co-host Dave Portnoy released a diss track titled “Country Diddy,” comparing Bryan’s NDA offers to allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faced lawsuits involving NDAs. The track was removed by Warner Records, prompting Portnoy to release another, which LaPaglia praised as “lethal.”
- In July 2025, Bryan released three new songs, including “River Washed Hair,” which fans speculated was about LaPaglia due to lyrics referencing a girl named “Anna.” Bryan denied this in a now-deleted TikTok comment, writing, “I said ‘sweet,’ this is not about whatever she has going on hahahahah.” LaPaglia responded by threatening to share “videos and stories” on her podcast, escalating the public feud.
Contemporary Issues Surrounding the Breakup
LaPaglia’s allegations have ignited discussions about several pressing issues in 2025, reflecting broader societal concerns:
- Emotional Abuse in High-Profile Relationships:
- LaPaglia’s claims resonate with a growing awareness of emotional abuse, which is often less visible than physical abuse but equally damaging. Her description of being “broken” and losing herself mirrors experiences shared by other public figures, such as Kesha, who faced similar allegations of control and abuse in her legal battle with Dr. Luke. In 2025, social media platforms like TikTok have amplified survivors’ voices, with LaPaglia noting that “so many women and men” reached out to her about similar experiences.
- The public nature of her allegations highlights the challenges of addressing emotional abuse in the spotlight, where victims face scrutiny and pressure to remain silent. LaPaglia’s decision to speak out, despite fear, underscores the importance of validating survivors’ experiences.
- The Ethics of NDAs in Personal Relationships:
- The alleged $12 million NDA offer has sparked debate about the use of NDAs to silence allegations of misconduct in personal relationships. In 2025, NDAs are increasingly criticized as tools for powerful individuals to evade accountability, drawing comparisons to cases involving figures like Sean Combs. LaPaglia’s rejection of the NDA aligns with a cultural shift toward transparency, with advocates arguing that such agreements can perpetuate cycles of abuse by preventing victims from sharing their stories.
- This issue ties into broader conversations about power imbalances, particularly when one partner (Bryan, a Grammy-winning artist) holds significant financial and social influence over another (LaPaglia, an influencer but less established in the music industry).
- Social Media and Public Breakups:
- The Bryan-LaPaglia breakup exemplifies how social media amplifies personal conflicts in the digital age. Bryan’s Instagram Stories announcement and LaPaglia’s TikTok responses, including her duet to a fan’s video about “River Washed Hair,” turned their split into a public spectacle.
- In 2025, platforms like TikTok and X have become battlegrounds for celebrity feuds, with fans and commentators taking sides. The Boston Bruins’ public support for LaPaglia and Reddit threads with thousands of upvotes reflect how online communities shape narratives around breakups, often amplifying victims’ voices but also risking oversimplification or sensationalism.
- Mental Health and Recovery:
- LaPaglia’s openness about her mental health struggles, including anxiety and weight loss, highlights the toll of emotional abuse. Her decision to take a social media break and focus on healing privately reflects a growing trend in 2025 of public figures prioritizing mental health. Her later comments to Elite Daily (March 2025) about feeling “emotionally unavailable” and seeking a “normal” partner underscore the long-term impact of toxic relationships.
- This resonates with broader societal efforts to destigmatize mental health discussions, particularly among young women navigating public scrutiny.
Bryan’s Response and Industry Context
Zach Bryan has largely remained silent on LaPaglia’s allegations, with representatives not responding to requests for comment from outlets like People and Billboard. His only direct response was a now-deleted TikTok comment denying that “River Washed Hair” was about LaPaglia. In January 2025, he posted an Instagram rant addressing trolls criticizing his friends and rumored new girlfriend, Hannah Duncan, stating, “All you fuckin weird couch warriors attacking and belittling my friends on the internet because you’re assuming I have a girlfriend are weird as hell.” He also announced plans to quit touring after his Quittin’ Time Tour to pursue a master’s degree in Paris, suggesting a desire to step back from public life.
However, sources within the music industry, as reported by Page Six, claim Bryan had a pre-existing reputation as a “horrible person” among colleagues, predating LaPaglia’s allegations. This raises questions about accountability in the music industry, where artists with “bad boy” personas, like Bryan, may face less scrutiny due to fan loyalty and commercial success.
LaPaglia’s Empowerment and Legacy
LaPaglia’s decision to reject the NDA and share her story has been widely praised, with fans and commentators, including the Boston Bruins, rallying behind her. She told Elite Daily, “I always trusted my intuition and my gut, and I did it for me. It was a selfish moment where I was like, ‘I’m doing this for me, and I’m taking me back.’” Her openness has inspired other survivors, with many sharing their own stories of emotional abuse, reinforcing her role as a voice for empowerment.
In 2025, LaPaglia’s story aligns with a cultural moment where survivors are increasingly refusing to be silenced, echoing movements like #MeToo and #FreeBritney, which supported Britney Spears’ fight against her conservatorship. Her resilience, coupled with her continued success as a podcaster and influencer, positions her as a relatable figure for young women navigating love, heartbreak, and self-discovery in the public eye.
Conclusion
Brianna LaPaglia’s breakup with Zach Bryan has transcended celebrity gossip to become a flashpoint for discussions about emotional abuse, NDAs, and the power of social media in shaping public narratives. Her allegations of Bryan’s controlling behavior, emotional abuse, and a $12 million NDA offer highlight critical issues in 2025, from the ethics of silencing survivors to the mental health toll of toxic relationships. As LaPaglia reclaims her narrative, her story resonates with a generation demanding accountability and authenticity. While Bryan’s silence leaves questions unanswered, the public’s support for LaPaglia underscores a shift toward amplifying survivors’ voices, ensuring that her “selfish moment” of speaking out becomes a powerful legacy for others.
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