On Oct. 22 2024, Brianna LaPaglia, commonly known as Brianna Chickenfry, opened up about the emotional abuse that she endured during her year-long relationship with the famous country music star Zach Bryan on the Barstool Sports BFF podcast (Today.com). Dave Portnoy, Josh Richards, and Brianna LaPaglia went into detail about the relationship and the breakup during the podcast which was over one hour long.
Zach Bryan has been on tour since Mar. 6 of this year, performing his Overtime Album across the United States. Brianna LaPaglia has accompanied Bryan throughout this year, leaving her friends and family in Boston, Massachusetts.
Many students are angry at the country singer for his attempt to take advantage of Brianna LaPaglia. Zach Bryan is a crowd favorite at Central.
“I heard that Brianna went on tour with Zach Bryan for a whole year and gave up her personal life,” said Josie Braden, freshman. “I heard on [Brianna’s] podcast that Zach Bryan would commonly scream at Brianna and manipulate her, and also frequently commented on what she wore.”
Students at Hinsdale Central are concerned about LaPaglia and are considering whether on not to support Zach Bryan after this information has been released into the public.
“I heard about [the breakup] on TikTok and other social media, and I was really shocked because they seemed like such a happy couple,” said Ryan Baltazar, junior.
Bryan offered LaPaglia $12 million to stay silent on social media about the abuse she went through during the relationship, and it is rumored that he has offered large sums of money to keep his previous wife and ex-girlfriends quiet about his personal life.
“Brianna is successful on her own and I am really happy that she didn’t take the money and she is able to speak her own truth,” Baltazar said. “I love the fact that people like Dave Portnoy were supporting her and telling her that he could pay her so that she could still benefit from the situation.”
Students at Hinsdale Central are proud that LaPaglia did not succumb to Zach Bryan’s money and power.
“I think that it was really influential that she chose not to take the money, because it can show other girls that they can be more independent by themselves,” Braden said.
Students have different opinions on whether the character of a person affects if they should continue to listen to their music, and support them by going to their concerts.
“I went to Zach Bryan’s concert in March, and the breakup has not affected my opinion on him,” said Kendall McCain, junior.
Other students had different points of views.
“This has affected my opinion on him,” Baltazar said. “I went to his concert a few months ago, and I loved him at the time, but after hearing about the stuff he has done in the past I have listened to him less.”
To learn more about Brianna LaPaglia and Zach Bryan, read this article.
