Entertainment & Culture
Author: anonymDate: 2024-11-29 11:01:49
Brianna LaPaglia, Zach Bryan's former romantic partner, alleges emotional mistreatment and an attempt to suppress her account with a confidentiality agreement: An overview.
What we know — and what we don't — about their relationship, breakup and NDA claims.
Zach Bryan's ex, Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia, has leveled accusations of emotional abuse against him.
The social media personality made these and other assertions against the Grammy-winning country artist during a November 7th appearance on her BFFs podcast. LaPaglia's allegations surfaced just two weeks after Bryan, 28, publicized their split on Instagram October 22nd, leaving LaPaglia feeling betrayed. Their relationship began in July 2023.
The 25-year-old told her Barstool Sports colleagues, Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, "The past year has been the most difficult of my life, enduring this individual's mistreatment."
LaPaglia, who confessed to ongoing apprehension toward the "I Remember Everything" vocalist, also stated that he and his representatives offered her $12 million to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) prohibiting her from discussing their relationship, which concluded acrimoniously last month.
LaPaglia details alleged 'narcissistic, emotional abuse,' NDAs on podcast
The podcast host asserted that she suffered "narcissistic, emotional abuse" for a year preceding their breakup, describing a pattern of "idealization, devaluation, apology—repeatedly." She also claimed that he reacted angrily to her singing a Morgan Wallen song and to her attire at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
LaPaglia indicated that she believes she was subjected to a period of intense affection from the singer. Following four blissful months, he "isolated me from my entire life" and made "me feel like he was my only support." She stated that he "repeatedly undermined me" to the point that it "made me despise everything I once valued about myself."
She said Bryan "manipulated me terribly," adding, "I don't anticipate everyone grasping emotional abuse unless they've experienced it, and I hope you never do, but if you have, you'll comprehend my perspective."
LaPaglia alleged that there "was always another justification for his poor treatment and for my nightly tears. For his shouting. And then, the apology. The promises of improvement. His need for me in his life."
She attributed his "outrageous" behavior to her appearance at the Golden Globes in January, claiming he disapproved of her dress, stating he "didn't wish to date someone who presented herself in that manner." She claimed he then sought to control her social media activity.
She also claimed that Bryan "lost his temper" when she hummed a lyric from Wallen's "Last Night," which had been stuck in her head. While preparing breakfast, she casually sang the line ("Last night we let the liquor talk…”), triggering his anger.
She stated he shouted, "You're singing another man's song in my home, this house I own."; Their disagreement lasted "a week."
Regarding NDAs, LaPaglia asserted that Bryan's past partners had signed legal documents restricting them from publicly addressing their experiences with him. (Bryan was previously married to Rose Madden from 2020 to 2021.) LaPaglia said he and his team offered her a similar agreement—$12 million over three years plus a New York City apartment. She considered it, then declined.
“I don't want to, in two years, buy a house and think, ‘Oh, this is money from the man who utterly devastated and broke me for a year.’ Absolutely not.”
She insisted this "isn't about generating a spectacle." “This isn't about me rejecting the NDA… so I can expose him and his secrets. I didn't take the money because I won't relinquish my experiences and what I endured to shield someone who harmed me; I'm far stronger than a weak man. To hell with you, and your money.”
LaPaglia was previously 'blindsided' by their breakup, which was messy
The former couple connected at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. In July 2023, LaPaglia—whose nickname, Chickenfry, stems from a comment about her legs—announced on her podcast that they had been dating for three weeks.
According to Us Weekly, the pair began living together in the spring of 2024. Then, in October, screenshots of DMs Bryan allegedly sent to other women on Raya, the celebrity dating app, went viral.
Subsequently, on October 22nd, Bryan announced on Instagram that he and LaPaglia had separated, writing, "I respect and cherish her deeply" and that "She has loved me unconditionally for a considerable time, and for that I will always be grateful."
Bryan also admitted to an "exceptionally challenging personal year and severe struggles," adding, "I'm imperfect, and always will be."
LaPaglia then shared on her Instagram Stories that she felt "blindsided" by Bryan's post as she was attempting to "recover privately" from their breakup.
She later produced a YouTube video reiterating that she was "completely taken aback" by Bryan's public announcement of their split, saying he gave her no prior notice.
“Notice how puffy my face is? I’ve been crying for days,” she said. “It’s like, how can you give someone everything and love them unconditionally—even through things you shouldn't—and just see the good in them—how can you… give every ounce of yourself to someone and then be discarded in a few days? It’s truly heartbreaking.”
LaPaglia's BFFs co-hosts Portnoy and Richards released a diss track about Bryan titled "Smallest Man." Portnoy reports that Bryan's record label, Warner Records, issued takedown notices, prompting plans to rerecord and reissue the track.
LaPaglia mentioned on the podcast that Bryan blocked her on social media.
Bryan in the news
The Oklahoma native launched his career sharing music on YouTube. He released his debut album, DeAnn, in 2019, followed by Elisabeth in 2020. After signing with Warner Records, he released two more albums, including his 2023 album Zach Bryan, earning him a Best Country Song Grammy Award for “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves.
In September 2023, Bryan was apprehended in Oklahoma for obstructing an investigation following a brief exchange with an officer while his security detail was stopped. He subsequently apologized to law enforcement.
In September 2024, Bryan offered another apology after “inebriatedly” tweeting that Kanye West was superior to Taylor Swift.
While he has been prolific on Instagram, he has yet to address LaPaglia's accusations.