Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia recently spoke out about her relationship with Zach Bryan, accusing him of emotional abuse during their time together. On November 7, the 25-year-old cohosted the BFFs Podcast with Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, where she openly discussed her breakup with Bryan, 29.
This was the first time LaPaglia shared her side of the story since Bryan announced their split on October 22. Representatives for both LaPaglia and Bryan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. “The past year has been the toughest of my life, dealing with the abuse from him,” LaPaglia revealed, referring to Bryan.
“I’m still terrified, honestly. I’m afraid of him, and it’s impacted me so much that I feel scared to even talk about it.” She explained that her fears were so overwhelming that, just the previous week, she hesitated to address the issue because of her anxiety.
Brianna LaPaglia recounts the cycle of apologies and emotional strain with Bryan
Describing the abuse, she mentioned a repeating cycle of emotional manipulation, saying, “It was always a process of building you up, then tearing you down, followed by endless apologies.”
She explained that Bryan constantly offered excuses for his poor treatment, adding, “There was always an explanation for why he was making me cry myself to sleep every night and screaming at me.
The next morning, he’d apologize and promise to be better, saying he needed me in his life. But if you’ve been through this kind of emotional abuse, you understand—if you haven’t, I hope you never do.”
LaPaglia also claimed that Bryan had previously made other women sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent them from sharing their own experiences with him. She alleged that she had been offered a large sum of money and a New York apartment to keep quiet about their relationship.
“It got to the point where I realized I’m not like the women before me,” she shared. “You made them think they had no choice but to take money and sign away their experiences.”
She continued, “You get to perform on stage, acting like a good guy, while treating the people around you terribly. But I’m not them. I don’t want your money, and I refuse to think in a couple of years, ‘Oh, this house was bought with the money from the man who emotionally destroyed me.'”
LaPaglia made it clear that her decision to speak out wasn’t about seeking drama or fame. “This isn’t about me refusing to sign an NDA or take the money. It’s about not protecting someone who hurt me, and showing I’m stronger than a weak man. F*** you and your money.”
The couple met at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023 and began dating in July. Bryan confirmed their breakup on Instagram in October, asking for privacy during this difficult time.
He wrote, “Brianna and I have broken up, and I respect and love her with all my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a long time, and for that, I’ll always be thankful. I’ve had a difficult year personally and thought it would be best for both of us to part ways.”
LaPaglia expressed feeling “blindsided” by the split in a post on Instagram Stories, stating she planned to step away from social media and heal privately. “I love you all so much, thank you for the kind words,” she wrote. “Remember, you are loved, and everything will be okay.”
