Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, known for her popular podcast “PlanBri Uncut” and association with Barstool Sports, has been candid about her intense emotional and physical struggles following her split from country music star Zach Bryan. Since their breakup in October, LaPaglia has been open on social media about the toll the separation has taken on her health, even leading to drastic weight loss and newfound anxiety.
Health Challenges: Physical Impact of Anxiety
On November 11, 2024, LaPaglia, 25, shared a vulnerable TikTok video, revealing that she has lost about 15 pounds since the breakup. Normally around 130 pounds, LaPaglia explained that her weight has plummeted to 111 pounds—her high school weight. Though she’s always been naturally slim, she stressed that she’s typically been “healthily skinny.” The sudden weight loss has left her distressed, sharing with her followers, “I’m very skinny…but this isn’t normal for me.”
The physical symptoms of her anxiety have included severe nausea and a loss of appetite. “I was physically sick from what I was going through mentally,” LaPaglia said tearfully. She described living in a state of constant “fight or flight” mode, which made it impossible to eat or even hold down food. At times, she could only manage a single meal a day. In her TikTok, LaPaglia zoomed the camera out to show a “before” and “after” of her weight change, highlighting her drastically thinner legs. “Things just don’t snap back,” she admitted, sharing her frustration about the challenges of regaining weight and rebuilding her health.
Allegations of Emotional Abuse
In addition to the physical health impact, LaPaglia revealed deeper struggles with her emotional well-being. On the November 7 episode of her “BFFs” podcast, she opened up about her time with Bryan, claiming that her relationship was marred by emotional abuse. During the episode, LaPaglia confided to her cohosts Josh Richards and Dave Portnoy that she felt emotionally mistreated, describing Bryan’s behavior as controlling and belittling. She said, “I kept showing up when I shouldn’t have, and I kept loving and giving when I shouldn’t have.” LaPaglia reflected that her determination to stay in the relationship, despite signs that it was unhealthy, was “a me problem,” noting that she’s since realized the importance of “walking away when you’re not getting the love you’re giving.”
One specific instance she recounted involved Bryan becoming furious after hearing her sing a Morgan Wallen song in their shared apartment, an episode that left her feeling deeply uncomfortable. According to LaPaglia, Bryan’s outbursts and demands were a pattern throughout their time together, leaving her feeling emotionally depleted. Her candid admission resonated with fans and listeners, as she stressed the importance of recognizing when a relationship becomes one-sided or emotionally harmful.
NDA and Alleged Payout Offer
The complexities of LaPaglia’s relationship with Bryan didn’t end with their breakup. LaPaglia also alleged that Bryan’s management team approached her shortly after the split, offering her a $12 million payment to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would prevent her from speaking publicly about her experiences. She claimed that by signing the NDA, she would have to agree not to discuss the nature of her relationship with Bryan or any related details.
Refusing the offer, LaPaglia explained her decision, saying, “I did not accept any money. I will not accept any money. I think it’s beneath me.” By turning down the payment, LaPaglia demonstrated her resolve to speak openly about her experience, regardless of the potential legal and financial pressures. Her stance has attracted significant attention, as NDAs and similar agreements are often used by high-profile individuals and their teams to avoid public scrutiny. In LaPaglia’s case, her refusal to stay silent has resonated with many, further fueling public curiosity and discussions around her relationship with Bryan.
Custody of Stump the Cat
Adding to the personal challenges, LaPaglia also shared her heartbreak over Bryan taking their shared pet cat, Stump. She revealed in a TikTok video that Bryan took the cat “out of spite” when he left, despite previously showing little affection for the pet. “I miss Stump so much,” LaPaglia admitted. “I wanna f—ing kidnap him.” She explained that Bryan had not even been particularly fond of cats, making the loss of Stump even more painful for her. Her attachment to Stump highlights how intertwined her life had become with Bryan’s, and the removal of a beloved pet has added an additional layer of loss and frustration to an already difficult situation.
Support from Barstool Sports and Public Response
The highly publicized breakup has drawn mixed reactions from fans and followers, with LaPaglia receiving support and sympathy from her audience, as well as scrutiny from some of Bryan’s fans. LaPaglia’s colleague and “BFFs” podcast cohost, Dave Portnoy, has been especially vocal in her defense. Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, went as far as to release diss tracks targeting Bryan, with songs titled “Smallest Man” and “Country Diddy,” accusing the country singer of mistreating LaPaglia and of being emotionally manipulative. Portnoy’s intervention has brought further attention to LaPaglia’s side of the story, as he criticized Bryan’s behavior in both the diss tracks and in his public statements on the podcast.
While some have rallied behind LaPaglia, praising her bravery for speaking out, others have defended Bryan or remained neutral, awaiting a response from the singer. Portnoy’s diss tracks have amplified the drama, adding an element of public spectacle to the breakup and stirring more interest and conversation online.
Bryan’s Silence on the Accusations
Despite the mounting allegations, Zach Bryan has yet to publicly respond to LaPaglia’s claims. The country singer has stayed largely silent about the accusations, choosing instead to focus on his music and public appearances. Most recently, he paid tribute to veterans in honor of Veterans Day. Bryan’s silence has fueled further speculation, with some fans wondering if he will eventually break his silence to address LaPaglia’s statements or if he will continue to remain quiet and let his work speak for itself.
LaPaglia’s Struggle and Efforts to Heal
As LaPaglia continues to process the breakup, she’s spoken openly about her efforts to regain her mental and physical health. She admitted that sharing her experiences on social media has had mixed effects on her mental well-being. While speaking out has been therapeutic, the attention has also intensified her anxiety, especially as she faces potential encounters with Bryan’s fanbase. To cope, LaPaglia has been staying with her mother and has avoided returning to her life in New York. “I want to know ways to cope with [this anxiety] and how to gain f—ing weight back,” she shared with her followers, expressing a desire to regain control over her health.
Her candid updates on social media have struck a chord with many, especially as she addresses the complexities of dealing with mental health challenges in the aftermath of a public breakup. By sharing her journey, LaPaglia hopes to not only heal herself but also inspire others who may be dealing with similar issues. The situation remains highly visible, with fans and followers closely watching as both LaPaglia and Bryan navigate the fallout of their relationship.
The Information is Collected from Variety and Yahoo.
