Brianna LaPaglia, co-host of the BFFs podcast and known on social media as Brianna Chickenfry, is addressing the rumors surrounding her recent breakup with country singer Zach Bryan. Over the past few weeks, the public has been abuzz with speculation regarding the breakup, with various claims and misunderstandings circulating online. Brianna is now setting the record straight, sharing her side of the story in an emotional and detailed series of social media posts and podcast appearances.
Setting the Record Straight on the $10 Million “Tell-All” Rumor
One of the most persistent rumors that Brianna has been forced to address involves a supposed $10 million payment she received from Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, for a “tell-all” about her breakup with Zach Bryan. On November 9, Brianna released a TikTok video in which she firmly denied the claim. “Dave didn’t give me any money,” she said, clearly frustrated by the rumors. “A tell-all? You think that was a tell-all? I took the high road.” Brianna went on to explain that, rather than seeking out financial gain or trying to expose her ex in an exaggerated manner, she was simply sharing her experience and offering a glimpse into what she had gone through during the breakup.
In the TikTok video, Brianna was candid about the financial struggles she’s facing due to the breakup. She mentioned paying for storage, hiring movers, and flying back and forth between New York and other locations in search of a new apartment. “I am losing money right now,” she admitted. This was a stark contrast to the rumors circulating that she had somehow profited from the situation. Brianna made it clear that her intention was never to capitalize on her personal life or the fallout from her relationship with Zach Bryan.
The Tattoo That Remains: “How Lucky Are We?”
Another topic of intense public interest was Brianna’s tattoo, which features lyrics from Zach Bryan’s song “28.” After the breakup, some people wondered if she would remove the tattoo, but Brianna has made it clear that she has no intention of doing so. In a second TikTok video posted the same day, Brianna clarified, “That was my thing. That is my tattoo. Now we’re matching. This is mine.” She explained that the tattoo, which reads “How lucky are we?” was something deeply personal to her, representing a moment in her life and not necessarily tied to her relationship with Zach.
Brianna also shared the backstory behind the tattoo, explaining that she had gotten it in August 2023, shortly after she and Bryan started dating. She remembered the experience as being “drunk in Vegas” with friends and said that it was a spontaneous decision that felt right in the moment. Despite the end of their relationship, she stands by the decision to keep the tattoo.
Zach Bryan’s song “28” holds sentimental value for both Brianna and Zach. Bryan has spoken in interviews about the inspiration behind the track, sharing how it came from a moment of reflection with his friends while bowling in New York City. He also revealed that the song was partly inspired by a personal moment with Brianna when their puppy, Boston, was undergoing surgery. Zach expressed gratitude for their time together, saying, “How lucky are we?” to have had such a beautiful experience with their pet. For Brianna, the tattoo remains a tribute to those meaningful memories, regardless of the end of their romantic relationship.
Brianna Reflects on the Relationship and Emotional Impact
Brianna has been very open about the emotional impact of her breakup with Zach Bryan, especially the way she learned about it. She has spoken at length about feeling blindsided when she woke up on October 22 to see that Zach had publicly announced their breakup on his Instagram without any prior communication. “I had no idea that post was going up,” Brianna shared in an emotional YouTube video. She expressed how jarring it was to wake up to such a public declaration of their split, saying that she was bombarded with text messages from friends and family asking if she was okay. “Did my f–king dad die?” she recalled thinking, overwhelmed by the suddenness of the announcement.
In the same video, Brianna explained how she had invested so much into her relationship with Zach, only to feel discarded after the breakup. “How can you give every ounce of yourself to someone and then be discarded of in a few days?” she asked, clearly hurt by the way things had ended. Brianna admitted that she had been crying for days following the breakup and expressed how painful it was to feel like she had been left behind without warning. She later clarified that she needed some time to heal privately and planned to return to social media when she felt ready to speak out more.
Allegations of Emotional Abuse in the Relationship
In a later episode of BFFs, Brianna opened up even more about the relationship, revealing that she believes she was emotionally abused during her time with Zach. She described how she felt manipulated and isolated by him, saying that her brain had been “rewired” to constantly fear making him upset. Brianna explained that she was made to believe everything was her fault, and that Zach’s actions slowly eroded her sense of self-worth.
“I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started pulling myself away from it,” she said, describing how Zach’s behavior ultimately left her feeling like she had no identity apart from him. Brianna spoke about how Zach had initially “love bombed” her during the beginning of their relationship, only to later tear her down emotionally. “He broke me down so that I felt like he was all I had left,” she said, revealing how toxic the relationship became after what seemed like a promising start.
During the same episode of BFFs, Brianna alleged that Zach’s team had offered her $12 million to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and remain silent about their relationship. She revealed that while she didn’t take the money, it wasn’t because she wanted to expose everything, but because she refused to sign away her experiences for the sake of protecting someone who had hurt her. “I’m not signing away my experiences and what I went through to protect someone that hurt me,” she said.
Dave Portnoy’s Support and the “Smallest Man” Diss Track
Brianna’s BFFs podcast co-host, Dave Portnoy, has been very vocal in his support of her throughout the drama. After the podcast episode where Brianna discussed her emotional abuse, Dave shared a link to Taylor Swift’s song “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” on his YouTube, dedicating it to Brianna. In the aftermath of the breakup, Dave and his co-host Josh Richards released a diss track titled “Smallest Man” aimed at Zach Bryan. The song was a response to Zach’s alleged mistreatment of Brianna, and it quickly gained attention on social media. Although the track was briefly removed due to copyright issues with Warner Music Group, it was soon re-uploaded, and Dave made it clear that he would continue to support Brianna no matter what.
In the song, Dave and Josh called out Zach in explicit terms, claiming that he had been dishonest and disrespectful towards Brianna. Dave posted on X, formerly Twitter, noting that Warner Music’s attempt to erase the song was futile, as it was only increasing its visibility online.
Zach Bryan Responds with “High Road” Song
On November 7, Zach Bryan responded to the ongoing public fallout by releasing a new song titled “High Road.” The song’s lyrics seemed to reflect his ongoing emotional struggles, as he opened up about his personal journey and the hardships he’s faced. In a lengthy Instagram post, Bryan spoke about his decision to take a break from touring and his experiences during the past year, including a visit to his mother’s grave and the challenges of being in the public eye.
Zach’s post emphasized his gratitude for the people who have supported him, and it seemed to be a way for him to reclaim control over the narrative. He also mentioned how he had come to terms with the blessings in his life, despite the turmoil he had recently experienced.
Brianna’s Continued Healing and Empowerment
Brianna has continued to focus on her healing process, using her platform to speak out about her experiences and support others who have faced similar challenges. In a message to her followers, Brianna shared how empowering it has been to receive support from people who have gone through similar struggles. She said that sharing her story was difficult, but it was also necessary to help others understand that they are not alone. “I can stand up to someone in power; you can stand up to the bum from your hometown,” she said, encouraging others to find their voice and stand up for themselves.
As Brianna continues to process the aftermath of her relationship with Zach, she is choosing to prioritize her emotional well-being and set boundaries to protect her personal life. She has also made it clear that she will continue to speak out, but on her terms, in her own time. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” she wrote on Instagram, thanking her fans for their unwavering support during this challenging time.
Brianna’s journey of healing is ongoing, but she is determined to use her experience to empower others and find peace in her own life.
