Country singer Zach Bryan and social media influencer Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia have ended their relationship after more than a year of dating. The breakup announcement came unexpectedly, and LaPaglia has since shared her surprise at the timing. Bryan took to Instagram on October 22 to explain his decision to go public, while LaPaglia opened up about feeling blindsided by the news. Here’s a look at what happened, how the relationship began, and why dating app rumors are now swirling.
Who Are Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia?
Zach Bryan, 28, is a rising country music star who released his fifth album, The Great American Bar Scene, in July. He made headlines recently for a controversial tweet comparing Taylor Swift to Kanye West, which didn’t sit well with Swift’s fan base.
Brianna LaPaglia, 25, is better known as Brianna “Chickenfry,” a name that gained traction thanks to a viral Vine clip. She is now a prominent social media personality and co-hosts the BFFs podcast on Barstool Sports alongside its founder, Dave Portnoy. Following the breakup, Portnoy publicly showed his support for LaPaglia with a playful post featuring a Taylor Swift song.
A Whirlwind Romance That Began at the ACM Awards
The couple first crossed paths at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. LaPaglia later attended one of Bryan’s concerts, and was even invited on stage with her podcast co-host, Josh Richards. Their connection soon moved to social media, where Bryan initiated a conversation after LaPaglia released a podcast episode titled “Eat the Rich (Except Zach Bryan).” By July, LaPaglia had confirmed that they were officially dating.
Bryan’s Breakup Announcement: A Difficult Year
In his Instagram Story, Bryan didn’t provide a clear reason for the breakup but acknowledged personal struggles over the past year. He expressed admiration for LaPaglia and hinted at his own shortcomings. “I failed people that love me and mostly myself,” he wrote, while maintaining that he had “love and respect” for his former partner.
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LaPaglia’s Emotional Reaction to the Sudden Split
LaPaglia shared her side of the story in a YouTube video posted on the same day as Bryan’s announcement. According to her, the breakup took place on October 21, just a day before Bryan went public. She expressed her hurt over the abrupt nature of the announcement, noting that Bryan hadn’t given her any warning. “I just wanted a week to process and be sad,” she shared tearfully, feeling “blindsided” by his decision to make it public so soon. She added that she plans to take a break from social media to heal and will share more details when she’s ready.
Did Dating App Rumors Play a Role?
Shortly before the breakup became public, a Reddit user claimed to have spotted Bryan on Raya, a private dating app known for its exclusive user base. This sparked online speculation that Bryan might have started swiping right after the split. An anonymous source later told Us Weekly that Bryan was allegedly using dating apps during the relationship and that LaPaglia had been informed about his Raya profile. While Bryan denied any cheating, he reportedly agreed that ending the relationship was the right choice.
What’s Next for LaPaglia and Bryan?
In a recent Instagram Story, LaPaglia hinted that she might eventually share more about what led to the breakup, but for now, she’s focusing on healing privately. As for Bryan, his social media post suggests he’s reflecting on the difficulties of the past year and moving forward on his own terms.
The breakup has left fans curious about the couple’s future and whether more details will come to light. In the meantime, the involvement of Raya and the timing of Bryan’s announcement continue to fuel speculation online, leaving many questions about what really happened behind the scenes.
