Zach Bryan and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia have officially ended their relationship, bringing to light a series of emotional responses and public support. After confirming their breakup on October 22, 2024, both Bryan and LaPaglia took to social media to express their feelings, while Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy showed his support for LaPaglia in a unique way.
Zach Bryan Confirms the Breakup
Country music sensation Zach Bryan publicly confirmed the split with Brianna LaPaglia, an internet personality known as “Chickenfry,” via his Instagram Stories. After making their relationship public in July 2023, Bryan wrote that they had decided to part ways, expressing his deep respect and love for her.
“I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways,” Bryan stated, acknowledging the difficulties in his personal life. In a heartfelt post, he took responsibility, stating, “I am not perfect and never will be.”
Brianna LaPaglia’s Emotional Response
LaPaglia, who initially sparked rumors of the breakup with a cryptic message on her Instagram, responded shortly after Bryan’s announcement. Feeling “blindsided” by the situation, she posted that she would be stepping away from social media to heal in private, thanking her followers for their support and kind words.
Her emotional reaction was also captured in a heartfelt YouTube video, where she shared her struggles with moving on after investing so much in the relationship. “How can you give every ounce of yourself to someone and then be discarded of in a few days?” LaPaglia asked, clearly heartbroken.
Dave Portnoy Steps In with Taylor Swift Support
In a surprising yet supportive gesture, Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, took to X (formerly Twitter) to show his allegiance to LaPaglia. He dedicated Taylor Swift’s 2024 track, “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” from her album The Tortured Poets Department, to LaPaglia. The song, widely speculated to be about Swift’s ex, Matty Healy, features lyrics such as “You didn’t measure up, In any measure of a man,” which seemed to take aim at Bryan amidst the breakup.
Portnoy, a known Swiftie, made sure to convey his support for LaPaglia, echoing sentiments that many of her followers likely felt after the split.
A Relationship Timeline
Bryan and LaPaglia’s romance became public after meeting at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. Just months later, they confirmed they were dating on LaPaglia’s podcast, PlanBri Uncut, where the couple opened up about their newfound love. Their relationship quickly garnered media attention, with the two making their red carpet debut at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Throughout their year-long relationship, LaPaglia spoke openly about both the joy and challenges of being in the spotlight alongside Bryan. She addressed the hate she received online and the pressure that came with being attached to such a high-profile figure, stating, “You just kinda gotta be yourself and see where it takes ya.”
On their one-year anniversary in July 2024, Bryan wrote a touching Instagram post to commemorate the milestone: “Here’s to a year together. Happy anniversary and I love you so much Brianna.” LaPaglia responded with her own heartfelt message: “A year full of loving harder than I thought I was capable of and laughing louder than any year before.”
The Impact of Their Split
As fans of both Bryan and LaPaglia come to terms with the breakup, it’s clear that the split has deeply affected both parties. Bryan’s candidness about his personal struggles and acknowledgment of his imperfections resonated with fans who appreciated his honesty. Meanwhile, LaPaglia’s emotional posts and her decision to step away from social media reflect the heartbreak and challenges she faces in moving forward.
With Portnoy’s support and the continued affection of her fans, LaPaglia is likely to find strength in her community as she navigates this difficult chapter.
Summery :
While Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia’s relationship has come to an end, both have shown grace and transparency in handling the situation. Bryan’s admission of fault and LaPaglia’s public heartbreak have struck a chord with their followers, many of whom will continue to support them through this time. Portnoy’s playful yet heartfelt gesture only adds another layer to this unfolding story, as both Bryan and LaPaglia look ahead to their respective futures.
