Brianna LaPaglia, known as “Brianna Chickenfry,” has accused her ex-boyfriend, country music star Zach Bryan, of emotional abuse during their relationship. In a candid discussion on the “BFFs Podcast” on November 7, LaPaglia alleged that Bryan subjected her to a cycle of manipulation, tearing her down and apologizing repeatedly, creating what she described as a traumatic experience.
“The last year of my life has been the hardest, dealing with the abuse from this dude,” LaPaglia, 25, said. She claimed Bryan’s behavior left her “scared” and “constantly on edge,” impacting her well-being long after their breakup on October 22.
Allegations of Forced NDAs
In a controversial twist, LaPaglia claimed Bryan made previous girlfriends sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent them from publicly sharing their experiences. She revealed that she was offered $12 million and a New York apartment in exchange for her silence, but she refused. “I’m not the people before,” she said, explaining her decision to decline the money. “I don’t want in two years to look at a house and think, ‘This is the money from the dude that broke me.’”
LaPaglia also alleged that Bryan used his celebrity status to mask his actions, presenting himself as a “good guy” while treating those around him poorly. “You get to skip off and sing your little songs on stage like you’re a good dude,” she added, expressing anger over what she described as his disregard for the emotional damage he left behind.
Speaking Out Against Emotional Abuse
LaPaglia stated her goal in speaking out was not to stir up drama but to raise awareness for others experiencing similar situations. “This isn’t about exposing who he is,” she said, emphasizing that her decision was for “anyone else who’s been emotionally abused.”
The pair began dating after meeting at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023 and officially started their relationship in July. Following their split, Bryan posted a statement on Instagram expressing respect and love for LaPaglia, asking for privacy as they moved forward separately. LaPaglia, however, described feeling “blindsided” by the breakup and briefly stepped back from social media to focus on healing.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.