Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia Breakup and Abuse Allegations Explained

On By Littum

Upper line

Brianna LaPaglia, podcast host and ex-girlfriend of country music star Zach Bryan, claimed the musician subjected her to “emotional abuse” and offered her a $12 million non-disclosure agreement not to talk about their relationship or breakup, which she says she rejected (Bryan has not responded directly to the abuse allegations).

Key facts

Brianna LaPaglia, aka Brianna Chickenfry, said on the Barstool Sports-owned “BFF’s podcast” co-hosting with Barstool owner Dave Portnoy, she declined the NDA because she didn’t want “money from the guy who literally f*cked me up and broke me for a year,” and claims Bryan also asked past boyfriends on signing NDAs.

LaPaglia said the year she dated Bryan before they announced their breakup on Oct. 22 was the hardest of her life, and she’s “still scared of him, my brain is rewired.”

She alleged various instances of what she called emotional abuse, at one point holding up her phone and saying he had smashed it against a wall, causing it to crack.

LaPaglia said Bryan invited her on a road trip shortly after they met at his concert, after which she said she was “lovebombed” and said Bryan had gotten a tattoo of her on his arm after only been known for a few days.

She said she was subjected to a cycle of Bryan yelling at her and then apologizing, alleging he made excuses to treat her badly, and described an instance where Bryan allegedly screamed insults at his friends and family and broken glass during her birthday party.

LaPaglia claimed that Bryan had tried to control her personal and professional life and social media presence, alleging that he unfollowed her and said that he “doesn’t want to date someone who presents himself on the way,” after she shared photos to Instagram of her dress at the Golden Globe Awards in January.

What has Bryan said about the breakup?

Bryan has not responded to the various allegations of emotional abuse that LaPaglia detailed on his podcast (Forbes has reached out to Bryan’s management for comment). After their breakup last month, Brian posted an Instagram story confirming they had split, saying, “I respect and love her with all my heart.” He said he “personally had an incredibly tough year and struggled through some pretty serious things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our separate ways,” and urged people to respect their privacy. Bryan’s post came shortly after LaPaglia addressed their breakup in her own Instagram story post, saying she felt “blindsided” and wanted to take a break from social media. Without directly addressing LaPaglia’s comments on her “BFFs Podcast,” Bryan has made several posts on social media since the podcast aired, including sharing a photo of Jack Kerouac to his Instagram story, which included a caption from his novel “On the Road:” “I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to cry, hell, everyone in the world wants an explanation for your actions and on your very being.” Bryan also released a song called “High Road” Thursday night, with lyrics dealing with a failed relationship: “She’ll surely come back to haunt you forever/There’s ghosts in the windows and the walls/I’ve been waiting by the phone all damn night/For someone who ain’t ever gonna call ,” Bryan sings.

What’s Behind Dave Portnoy’s Beef With Zach Bryan?

Portnoy and “BFFs Podcast” co-host Josh Richards released one dis track Tuesday targeted Bryan, the “Smallest Man,” following his breakup with LaPaglia, with lyrics slamming him as a “liar” and for allegedly being on dating apps immediately after the split. “You f-ked up. / It’s getting bloody / Post it on your Instagram Story,” they sing. The track was later taken down from Spotify, which Portnoy alleged was because Warner Music Group represents both Richards and Bryan, and claimed the label was behind the takedown. “I’ll write 10,000 diss tracks, I’ll die in the booth,” Portnoy said in a video posted on social media and decided to continue the feud.

Key background

Bryan, one of country music’s biggest stars, started dating LaPaglia in July 2023, two months after they met at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Bryan was previously married to Rose Madden, a woman he met while serving in the U.S. Navy, and dated Deb Peifer shortly before meeting LaPaglia. Bryan is best known for his No. 1 self-titled album, which he released last year, containing the No. 1 hit and Grammy-winning single “I Remember Everything.”

Further reading

Zach Bryan says “I’m not perfect” as he confirms breakup with Brianna Chickenfry after her cryptic message (People)

Dave Portnoy vows to ‘die in the booth’ after Zach Bryan diss track is taken down (The Independent)