Country music artist Zach Bryan has been charged with emotional abuse by his former partner, popular influencer Brianna, also known as ‘Chickenfry’ LaPaglia. LaPaglia shared these allegations and more during a session on her BFFs podcast aired on November 7. This came shortly after Bryan, aged 28, took to Instagram on October 22, to announce their split, leaving LaPaglia ‘shocked’. The duo began their relationship in July 2023.
“My past year’s experience has been overwhelmingly challenging as I was dealing with abuse coming from him,” LaPaglia, aged 25, revealed during her chat with co-hosts. She confessed she still carries a fright for the ‘I Remember Everything’ singer and further alleged that he, along with his team, tried to coerce her into an agreement forbidding her from discussing their past relationship. According to her, they tried to secure her silence with a $12 million offer.
LaPaglia went on to outline what she called a pattern of ‘narcissistic, emotional abuse’ that lasted for a year prior to their breakup. She described it as a recurring cycle of emotional manipulation that involved breaking her spirit, followed by apologies and promises that never held. She also shared that Bryan expressed his disapproval of her singing a number by Morgan Wallen, and her choice of outfit at the 2024 Golden Globes.
According to LaPaglia, Bryan made her feel adored at the onset of their relationship. However, after enjoying four months of happiness, she alleges that he ‘distanced me from everything I held dear’, making it feel like he was ‘the only person I had left’. She commented on his constant attempts to ‘break me down’ to the level where it began to make her dislike everything she once loved about herself.
Bryan ‘manipulated me on a deep emotional level,’ stated LaPaglia on her show. She went on to express her doubts about the particular kind of emotional torture she went through being understood by those who hadn’t experienced it firsthand. She expressed her hope for others to never have to confront a similar situation, asserting that ‘those who have experienced it, can identify with what I’m saying.’
LaPaglia implies Bryan always had some excuse for treating her poorly, leading her to shed tears every night. ‘The perpetual yelling, the morning apologies that followed, the promises of wanting to change, needing me in his life,’ she elaborated. According to LaPaglia, Bryan’s erratic behavior escalated after she attended the Golden Globes in January. He didn’t appreciate her choice of attire, informing her that he had no intention of dating someone who ‘presented themselves in such a manner’.
LaPaglia further alleged Bryan started attempting to control her social media posts. On the note of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), she revealed that it wasn’t unheard of for Bryan to require past partners to sign legal documents preventing any public sharing of their experiences. Bryan and his team offered her a deal, promising a $12 million payout over three years.
“The thought occurred to me to sign the contract,” admitted LaPaglia, but she eventually declined. The thought of buying a house from the proceeds of a man who ‘literally shattered and broke me for a year’ wasn’t appealing to her. Her refusal was not based on creating a spectacle of the issue or disclosing his secrets. LaPaglia clarified that her denial was based on her decision not to compromise on her experiences, at the cost of a man who caused her distress. She declared emphatically, ‘I won’t accept your money!’
LaPaglia had previously confessed to being taken by surprise following their messy breakup. The couple first crossed paths at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. By July that year, she was openly discussing their three-week-long relationship on her podcast. They eventually decided to move in together by the spring of 2024.
Later in October, messages allegedly sent by Bryan to other women came to light. Shortly afterward, on October 22, Bryan confirmed their split on social media. He expressed his respect and adoration for Lapaglia, thanking her for her unconditional love. He mentioned dealing with severe personal issues throughout the year, acknowledging his imperfections.
Feeling ‘blindsided’ by Bryan’s announcement, LaPaglia aimed to silently process their separation. She then shared her feelings of being disposed of within a matter of days after offering everything to someone she loved so unconditionally. These feelings covered even aspects that otherwise shouldn’t have, causing her to question how one can still see the good in someone despite everything. The entire experience had been deeply heartbreaking for her.
Raised in Oklahoma, Bryan commenced his musical journey by sharing music on YouTube. His debut album, ‘DeAnn’, was released in 2019. This was followed by ‘Elisabeth’ in 2020. After joining Warner Records, Bryan released two additional albums, one of them being his self-titled 2023 album, ‘Zach Bryan’. Noteworthy to mention, his song ‘I Remember Everything’ featuring Kacey Musgraves, earned him the Best Country Song Grammy Award.
In September 2023, the country singer faced arrest in Oklahoma for obstructing an investigation. The incident ensued following a verbal exchange between Bryan and an officer during a traffic stop involving his security person. Bryan apologized to the law enforcement agencies afterward. Furthermore, in September 2024, Bryan publicly apologized once again after his inebriated tweet favored Kanye West over Taylor Swift.