Topline
Brianna LaPaglia, podcast host and ex-girlfriend of the country music star Zach Bryan, alleged the musician subjected her to “emotional abuse” and offered her a $12 million non-disclosure agreement to not speak about their relationship or breakup, which she says she turned down (Bryan has not directly responded to the abuse allegations).
Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia split last month. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty … [+] Images)
Key Facts
Brianna LaPaglia, also known as Brianna Chickenfry, said on the Barstool Sports-owned “BFFs Podcast” she co-hosts with Barstool owner Dave Portnoy she turned down the NDA because she didn’t want “money from the dude who literally f*cking destroyed me and broke me for a year,” alleging Bryan also asked previous girlfriends to sign NDAs.
LaPaglia said the year she dated Bryan, before they announced their breakup on Oct. 22, was the hardest of her life and she is “scared of him still, my brain’s rewired.”
She alleged various instances of what she called emotional abuse, at one point holding up her phone and stating he had smashed it against a wall, causing it to crack.
LaPaglia said Bryan had invited her on a road trip shortly after they met at his concert, after which she said she was subject to “love bombing,” stating Bryan had gotten a tattoo of her on his arm after only being acquainted a few days.
She said she was subject to a cycle of Bryan screaming at her and then apologizing, alleging he sought excuses to treat her poorly, and described one instance where Bryan had allegedly screamed insults at her friends and family and smashed glass during her birthday party.
LaPaglia alleged Bryan had tried to control her personal and professional life and social media presence, alleging he unfollowed her and said he “doesn’t want to date someone who presents herself that way” after she shared pictures to Instagram of her dress at the Golden Globe Awards in January.
What Has Bryan Said About The Breakup?
Bryan has not responded to the various emotional abuse allegations that LaPaglia detailed on her podcast (Forbes has reached out to Bryan’s management for comment). After their breakup last month, Bryan posted an Instagram story confirming they had split, stating: “I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart.” He said he “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,” urging people to respect their privacy. Bryan’s post came shortly after LaPaglia addressed their breakup in her own Instagram story post, in which she said she felt “blindsided” and would take a break from social media. Without directly addressing LaPaglia’s comments on her “BFFs Podcast,” Bryan has made several posts to social media since the podcast aired, including sharing a picture of Jack Kerouac to his Instagram story, which contained a caption from his novel “On the Road:” “I didn’t know what to say. I felt like crying, Goddammit everybody in the world wants an explanation for your acts and for your very being.” Bryan also released a song called “High Road” Thursday night, with lyrics that address a failed relationship: “She’s bound to come back and haunt you forever/There’s ghosts in the windows and walls/I’vе waited by the telеphone all f*cking night/For someone that ain’t ever gonna call,” Bryan sings.
What’s Behind Dave Portnoy’s Beef With Zach Bryan?
Portnoy and “BFFs Podcast” co-host Josh Richards released a diss track Tuesday aimed at Bryan, “Smallest Man,” after his breakup with LaPaglia, with lyrics slamming him as a “liar” and for allegedly joining dating apps immediately after the split. “You f–ked up. / It’s about to get gory / Go post it on your Instagram Story,” they sing. The track was later taken down from Spotify, which Portnoy alleged was because Warner Music Group represents both Richards and Bryan, claiming the label was behind the takedown. “I will write 10,000 diss tracks, I will go die in the booth,” Portnoy said in a video posted to social media, resolving to continue the feud.
Key Background
Bryan, one of country music’s biggest stars, began dating LaPaglia in July 2023, two months after they met at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Bryan was previously married to Rose Madden, a woman he met while serving in the U.S. Navy, and dated Deb Peifer shortly before he met LaPaglia. Bryan is best known for his No. 1 self-titled album, which he released last year, containing the No. 1 hit and Grammy-winning single “I Remember Everything.”
Further Reading
Dave Portnoy vows to ‘die in the booth’ after Zach Bryan diss track taken down (The Independent)
