Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Country music star Zach Bryan and podcast host Brianna
"Chickenfry" LaPaglia have officially parted ways after making their
relationship public in July 2023. The announcement came via Instagram on
October 22, 2024, where Bryan shared a heartfelt message confirming the
breakup. His post detailed the personal challenges he has faced over the past
year and how the strain led them to mutually decide to separate.
In his post, Bryan expressed deep respect and gratitude for
LaPaglia, stating: “She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time, and
for that, I'll always thank her.” He emphasized the difficulties he has faced
and acknowledged his imperfections, asking for privacy for both of them during
this time. “I am not perfect and never will be,” he wrote, urging fans to
respect their space as they both process the end of their relationship.
While Bryan directly addressed their split, LaPaglia shared a
more ambiguous response on her own Instagram Stories, leading fans to speculate
about the emotional toll of the breakup. Her message indicated she felt
"blindsided" by the events and planned to take a break from social
media to heal privately. “I love you guys so much, thank you for all of your
kind words. Remember, you are so loved, and everything’s always gonna be okay,”
she concluded.
The cryptic nature of LaPaglia's message left fans wondering
whether there were deeper, unresolved issues between the two. A day earlier,
she posted a handwritten note on Instagram that seemed to hint at the end of
their relationship, further fueling rumors. The note, which was accompanied by
a stick-figure drawing, reflected on the emotional struggles of moving on from
a difficult situation. “Eventually, you'll find that life goes on, even if you
don't want it to,” she wrote. The post was seen by many as a metaphor for the
end of her relationship with Bryan.
Relationship Timeline: From Public Romance to Private
Struggles
Bryan and LaPaglia’s relationship blossomed in the public
eye, beginning with their first meeting at the Academy of Country Music Awards
in May 2023. Just a month later, the couple confirmed they were dating during
an episode of LaPaglia’s podcast PlanBri Uncut. Their relationship was
well-received by fans, with the couple making numerous public appearances
together, including their red carpet debut at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Despite their seemingly strong bond, the pressures of fame
and public scrutiny began to weigh heavily on the couple. LaPaglia had
previously opened up about the "hate" she received online following
their relationship’s public announcement. In an interview with PEOPLE at
the Streamy Awards in August 2023, she reflected on the challenges of
navigating love in the spotlight. “You can’t buy into love—or hate—on the
internet. You just gotta be yourself and see where it takes ya,” she said.
The couple celebrated their one-year anniversary on July 14,
2024, with both Bryan and LaPaglia sharing heartfelt tributes to each other on
social media. Bryan posted a touching message to LaPaglia, calling her “one of
the only people that makes me laugh anymore and OFTEN.” LaPaglia responded with
an equally affectionate message, writing, “A year full of loving harder than I
thought I was capable of and laughing louder than any year before.”
Breakup Rumors and Social Media Speculation
Rumors of the couple’s split began swirling in October 2024
when fans noticed Bryan had allegedly appeared on the exclusive dating app
Raya. Screenshots were circulated on TikTok, with users speculating that the
musician’s presence on the app signaled the end of his relationship with
LaPaglia. While Bryan remained silent on the matter at first, LaPaglia’s
cryptic posts only added fuel to the fire.
In one of her handwritten notes, LaPaglia reflected on the difficulty of accepting the passage of time after a major emotional upheaval.
“The days will pass, and the world will move while you ask it to stop. You’ll
believe life is cruel for continuing on while your feet are stuck,” she wrote,
seemingly hinting at her own struggles to come to terms with the breakup. While
neither Bryan nor LaPaglia directly confirmed the cause of the split, fans were
quick to piece together the puzzle from their social media activity.
Privacy and Respect in the Aftermath
Following the breakup, both Bryan and LaPaglia have requested
privacy as they navigate the emotional aftermath of their split. Bryan, in
particular, has asked for respect and space for both himself and LaPaglia,
acknowledging that the relationship’s end was deeply personal and difficult for
both parties.
“As much as I try my best in everything, I failed people that
love me, and mostly myself,” Bryan admitted in his Instagram post. His candid
reflection resonated with fans, many of whom have supported the couple
throughout their relationship and breakup. LaPaglia’s decision to step away
from social media further underscores the personal nature of their split, as
she takes time to heal outside of the public eye.
As Bryan and LaPaglia move on from their year-long
relationship, both continue to focus on their respective careers. Bryan, who
has experienced a meteoric rise in the country music scene, remains a fan
favorite with his raw, emotional songwriting. Meanwhile, LaPaglia continues to
build her brand as a successful podcast host and internet personality.
Despite the end of their romantic relationship, both Bryan
and LaPaglia have expressed gratitude for the time they spent together. “I love
her with every ounce of my heart,” Bryan said, a sentiment echoed by LaPaglia
in her own reflection on their time as a couple.
While their breakup has captured public attention, it’s clear
that both individuals are determined to move forward with grace and resilience.
Whether Bryan’s heartfelt lyrics or LaPaglia’s candid reflections, both
continue to connect with their audiences, reminding fans that even in the
spotlight, personal struggles are deeply human.
As they each embark on new chapters in their lives, fans will undoubtedly continue to support them, eagerly anticipating what’s next for both Bryan and LaPaglia in their careers and personal journeys.
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