Few people noticed the early, subtle cracks. Fans first noticed the missing pictures, then the quiet. Then, on October 22, 2024, Zach Bryan confirmed what had been suspected in a brief Instagram Stories post: he and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia had broken up.
With grace, he explained that they had to “go our different ways.” His message came across as collected and considerate. However, a few frames later, LaPaglia’s emotional video conveyed a radically different message. The announcement caught her off guard. She claimed to have been caught off guard.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Couple | Zach Bryan and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia |
| Relationship Start | Publicly confirmed July 2023 |
| Breakup Announcement | October 22, 2024 (Bryan on Instagram Stories) |
| Actual Breakup | Reportedly October 21, 2024 |
| LaPaglia’s Reaction | Said she was “blindsided” and later accused Bryan of emotional abuse |
| Notable Claims | LaPaglia says Bryan offered $12 million NDA to silence her |
| Aftermath | Diss tracks, public statements, social media firestorm |
| Source | https://people.com/zach-bryan-and-brianna-chickenfry-relationship-timeline-8364539 |
They had first met backstage at the ACM Awards in May of 2023. They took a picture. They didn’t say much. Two months later, they were traveling across states and grinning through the summer. He brought introspective lyrics and vulnerability soaked in whiskey; she brought her chaotic, comedic charm.
By February 2024, they were strolling hand in hand down the red carpet at the Grammys. Bryan won a Grammy that same evening. Beside him, she smiled. Their public persona appeared to be remarkably coordinated—until it fell apart.
Fans began to notice gaps by October. No shoutouts on birthdays. fewer posts that are joint. The breakup post followed. Then came a storm.
The story was changed when LaPaglia returned to her Barstool podcast, BFFs. She talked about being emotionally manipulated, being accused of yelling at people, and allegedly being offered a $12 million NDA to keep quiet. Her tone was remarkably clear and not bitter. She didn’t want sympathy. She desired to reclaim the narrative as her own.
The dollar amount had a subtly startling quality. Twelve million dollars. That figure reverberated, particularly when she said she moved away from it.
When she said that, I recall halting. Not because of the cash, but rather because of the offer’s inherent control.
She described a troubling pattern in the relationship. Long, stressful weekends. outbursts of words. She experienced emotional fluctuations that made her feel diminished. She explained how she was “beaten down,” not physically, but mentally, after being built up.
The public’s response was divided. Supporters of Bryan defended his silence. Others examined LaPaglia’s assertions. Naturally, the internet dissected every detail rather than taking sides.
Never one to pass up an opportunity, Dave Portnoy entered the arena with a diss track called “Smallest Man,” which made references to Bryan’s tattoos and teenage jabs. It was theatrical, loud, and went viral right away.
Bryan used images rather than words to respond. He recorded himself smashing a Barstool flag with a golf club after burning it. Background music was provided by Tyler Childers. Although the impact felt performative, the symbolism was intentional.
Bryan’s new music was released a few days later. “High Road,” in particular, came uncomfortably near LaPaglia’s disclosures. The song’s lyrics alluded to therapy, loneliness, and treachery—a man who believes that the attention is the enemy, not his own actions.
LaPaglia, meanwhile, continued to be offensive as she described a birthday excursion in which Bryan allegedly yelled at her friends. She claimed to have recorded it. By that time, the trust had already fallen apart.
Portnoy went even farther with his second song, “Country Diddy,” which made fun of the idea of paying to control a narrative, compared Bryan to Sean Combs, and mentioned the NDA. The artwork showed a Lego cowboy with a contract in his hand.
It seemed ridiculous. It felt inevitable, too.
The conflict persisted throughout 2025. Bryan put out additional music. LaPaglia shared reflections and satire. Every action was scrutinized by the internet, which has an incredibly efficient appetite for drama.
The intensity of the fallout was what set this breakup apart, not just the individuals involved. It evolved from a private split into a multi-format, cross-platform spectacle. What started out as a text and a post evolved into therapy memes, diss tracks, and an ongoing narrative.
Even though it became widely known, the emotional harm still feels incredibly intimate. The rhythms—the silences, the blindsides, the refusals to remain silent—are remarkably familiar, not because we are familiar with them.
Some breakups go unnoticed. This one is determined to remain visible. It’s because neither of them wants to leave the stage first, not because anyone intended it to be that way.
