After more than a year together, country music star Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia — widely known as Brianna Chickenfry — called it quits in October 2024.
What started as a seemingly sweet, low-key romance eventually unfolded into one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups of the year, complete with public statements, emotional revelations, and serious allegations.
Here’s A Complete Timeline of Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry’s Relationship, from their first meeting to the aftermath of their split.
🎤 May 11, 2023: First Meeting at the ACM Awards
The pair first crossed paths at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards.
At the time, both were in separate relationships. LaPaglia approached Bryan for a photo, later describing him as “the nicest man I’ve ever met.” Despite the now-significant moment, she has said that they barely exchanged words beyond posing for the picture.
She even documented the encounter on her YouTube channel — unaware that it would mark the beginning of something much bigger.
🎶 June 2023: The “Revival” Concert Connection
Weeks later, LaPaglia attended Bryan’s concert at Forest Hills Stadium in New York City with her BFFs Podcast co-host, Josh Richards.
By that point, Bryan had recently split from Deb Peifer. LaPaglia was still in a relationship but broke up shortly afterward.
Although the two didn’t interact much at the show — despite joining him onstage during “Revival” — Bryan later reached out via Instagram DM. According to LaPaglia, their conversations began casually and quickly turned into something more.
🎙 July 2023: Relationship Goes Public
LaPaglia confirmed she was “hanging out” with Bryan on her podcast PlanBri Uncut. She told her co-host and longtime friend Grace O’Malley that she was happy and excited to see where things would go.
The announcement marked the first official acknowledgment of their relationship — though she described it as lighthearted and fun at the time.
📸 August 2023: Instagram Official
In early August, LaPaglia subtly made their relationship Instagram official in a “Life lately” photo dump that included a candid snapshot of Bryan enjoying soft-serve ice cream.
Later that month, she showed public support for his self-titled album by posting a TikTok featuring his track “Smaller Acts,” signaling that their relationship was growing both privately and publicly.
✨ January 7, 2024: Golden Globes Drama
LaPaglia attended the 2024 Golden Globe Awards solo, stunning in a sparkling gown with a sweetheart neckline and high slit. Bryan reshared her photos at the time, calling her “beautiful.”
However, after their breakup, LaPaglia alleged that the evening was far from glamorous behind the scenes. Speaking on the BFFs Podcast, she claimed Bryan criticized her outfit and unfollowed her on Instagram that same night.
She later described the incident as emotionally distressing, saying it left her in tears and questioning her image.
🏆 February 2024: Grammys Red Carpet Debut
The couple made their official red carpet debut at the 2024 Grammys. Bryan wore a sleek black suit, while LaPaglia opted for a custom lacy black gown.
It was a big night professionally for Bryan — he won his first Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “I Remember Everything,” his collaboration with Kacey Musgraves.
At the time, they appeared united and celebratory.
🚙 May 14, 2024: Off-Road Vehicle Crash
In May, LaPaglia revealed that she and Bryan were involved in a terrifying side-by-side vehicle accident that flipped multiple times. She described shattered glass, visible injuries, and fearing for their lives.
Bryan required stitches, while she sustained bruises and cuts. Despite the frightening ordeal, he continued his tour dates in Little Rock, Arkansas shortly afterward.
The incident marked one of the most intense shared experiences of their relationship.
💕 July 2024: One-Year Anniversary
The couple celebrated their first anniversary with heartfelt Instagram tributes. Bryan praised LaPaglia for her humor and loyalty, while she described loving “harder than I thought I was capable of.”
Both posts were later deleted following their split.
💔 October 22, 2024: Breakup Announcement
Bryan announced the breakup via Instagram Stories, stating that they had “broken up with each other” and emphasizing his love and respect for her. He cited a personally difficult year and acknowledged his imperfections.
The post came shortly after fans reportedly spotted his profile on the dating app Raya.
🎥 October 22, 2024: LaPaglia Says She Was “Blindsided”
Just hours later, LaPaglia uploaded a tearful YouTube video, revealing she had no warning about Bryan’s public announcement. She said she woke up to texts asking if she was okay and felt shocked by how the breakup was made public.
She requested privacy and explained she wasn’t ready to discuss details yet.
Weeks later, during an episode of the BFFs Podcast with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, she made explosive claims.
Among them:
Allegations of emotional abuse
Claims she was offered $12 million and a New York apartment in exchange for signing an NDA
Her decision to refuse the agreement
The revelations dramatically shifted public perception of their relationship.
🎵 November 7, 2024: New Music Release
Shortly after the breakup fallout, Bryan released two new songs — “The World’s a Giant” and “High Road.” He thanked fans for supporting him during what he described as a challenging period in his life.
While he did not directly reference the split, many listeners speculated about possible emotional undertones in the new tracks.
The Aftermath
What began as a low-key celebrity romance evolved into a very public breakup filled with conflicting narratives and serious accusations.
While Bryan framed the separation as mutual and rooted in personal struggles, LaPaglia later described a very different experience, saying she felt blindsided and emotionally hurt.
As both continue their careers — one in country music, the other in digital media — the story remains a reminder of how quickly modern relationships can move from private to public, especially in the age of social media.
And that concludes A Complete Timeline of Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry’s Relationship — a romance that captivated fans, sparked controversy, and ultimately ended in headlines.
