Zach Bryan’s ex Brianna Chickenfry reveals how she’s doing one year after split left her in a ‘dark place’

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Brianna LaPaglia, known as ‘Chickenfry,’ is sharing how she’s doing a year after her very public split from singer Zach Bryan.

The 26-year-old, known for working in many different fields, had a turning point on the third episode of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, after competing on the show’s fourth season.

During a television interview, she shared that the end of her relationship caused her to feel lost and hopeless, admitting she ‘didn’t want to be here anymore’.

Brianna stated that in November 2024, the 29-year-old musician offered her a large sum of money to stay silent about their relationship and requested she sign a non-disclosure agreement, but she refused.

When asked if being on the show helped her find her voice again, she explained that she never lost it, as she hadn’t signed the non-disclosure agreement.

She explained that she wasn’t trying to ‘reclaim’ anything, but simply being herself online, as she always has been.

Let me tell you, this is Bri talking about her early days online. She’s reflecting on who she was five years ago, right when she first started sharing on social media – before everything changed, before anyone knew about her relationship. It’s amazing to hear her talk about that time, before all the public attention.

I’m finally being myself again. That past year was a difficult time, and the relationship I was in didn’t allow me to be who I truly am. Now, I’m just focused on moving forward and rediscovering myself.

Brianna endured incredibly difficult trials during her time with Special Forces. One example was hiking up a mountain in Africa while carrying a total of 120 pounds – 90 pounds of chains and a 30-pound backpack – all in scorching 100-degree heat.

Looking back on her experience, she realized she’s more mentally strong and capable than she ever thought possible.

I’ve stopped telling myself I can’t do things, something I used to do frequently while filming the show. I also feel much more confident and less self-doubtful, which is a great feeling.

In a November 2024 podcast episode, Brianna openly discussed the emotional pain she experienced after her breakup with the country singer.

She admitted she still feels afraid of him, explaining that the experience has changed how she thinks. She’s constantly worried about upsetting him, and last week she was too frightened to even discuss what happened.

I’ll never forget her saying, ‘I still told him to keep his money.’ She was talking about the non-disclosure agreement he apparently wanted her to sign, and it really struck me. She explained that he’d made other women feel trapped, like taking money was the only way out. It was heartbreaking to hear her say he wanted to essentially buy their silence, to make them give up their stories and what they went through. It felt like he was trying to erase their experiences.

‘You get to go skip off and sing your little f***ing songs on stage like you’re a good dude.’

People have noticed that Zach’s new girlfriend, Samantha Leonard, looks a lot like his ex, Brianna.

Some, even Samantha’s ex-girlfriend, have said she’s strikingly similar to a popular social media personality, even calling her a ‘clone’.

In her podcast, Plan Bri Uncut, she explained that behavior is a classic sign of narcissism, saying narcissists often simply find someone new who reminds them of their previous partner.

Brianna explained that she gets messages from fans wondering if she and the singer are back together whenever he posts pictures with his new partner.

‘I’m like, “Guys, no, that’s not me. I literally dyed my hair for this reason,”‘ she explained.

I told him I was tired of being compared to other people; it was draining. Honestly, it’s strange he’s dating someone so similar to me, but I’ve decided it doesn’t bother me anymore.

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2025-11-21 20:06