Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia isn’t saying much out loud — but her message is landing loud and clear. The Barstool Media personality has once again turned to Taylor Swift to deliver a subtle but pointed response to her ex-boyfriend Zach Bryan, following the release of his latest album and a song many fans believe is aimed directly at her.
On Friday, January 9, LaPaglia shared an Instagram Stories post featuring Swift’s song “Actually Romantic” on Spotify, highlighting the lyric:
“It’s actually sweet all the time you’ve spent on me. It’s honestly wild.”
No caption. No explanation. Just a carefully chosen line — and the timing did the rest.
Why Fans Think Zach Bryan’s New Song Is About Her
LaPaglia’s post came just days after Bryan dropped his new album With Heaven on Top. Almost immediately, listeners began dissecting the track “Skin,” which includes emotionally charged lyrics about tattoos, cutting ties, and resentment toward an unnamed ex.
Lines like “I’m taking a blade to my own skin / And I ain’t ever touching yours again” and “How do tattoos take to your skin?” raised eyebrows, especially since LaPaglia famously has lyrics from Bryan’s song “28” tattooed on the back of her arm.
The song also takes sharp jabs at an ex’s behavior and friendships, further fueling speculation that the lyrics weren’t coincidental — particularly given the public and messy nature of their breakup.
A Relationship That Ended Publicly — and Painfully
Bryan and LaPaglia’s split was announced in October 2024, but the fallout didn’t stay quiet for long. In the months that followed, LaPaglia accused the singer of emotional abuse and made explosive claims that he offered her $12 million and a house in exchange for her silence after their breakup.
She spoke openly about the situation on her BFFs Podcast, alleging a pattern of behavior and rejecting what she described as an attempt to control the narrative.
Bryan has never directly responded to the allegations.
The Wedding That Added Fuel to the Fire
The tension escalated further when Bryan confirmed his marriage to Samantha Leonard late last month. On December 31, the country singer shared the first glimpse of his wedding on Instagram, posting a photo of himself holding Leonard as she wore a strapless white gown with a feather-trimmed hem.
“Tougher than the rest,” Bryan captioned the post — a nod to Bruce Springsteen’s song of the same name.
Just days earlier, LaPaglia appeared to respond in her own quiet way. In a TikTok shared on January 2, she lip-synced to Swift’s “Mastermind,” mouthing the line: “Checkmate, I couldn’t lose.” Fans quickly connected the dots.
@ihatebriannachickenfry ♬ Mastermind – Taylor Swift
‘Looks Exactly Like You’ — And Her Blunt Response
After Bryan’s new relationship became public, comparisons between Leonard and LaPaglia flooded social media. Addressing the comments on her Plan Bri Uncut podcast, LaPaglia didn’t mince words.
Calling it “narcissism textbook 101,” she said some people simply seek out replacements rather than closure. While she admitted she wasn’t angry, she joked that she dyed her hair just to stop people from sending her photos of Leonard.
The honesty — and exhaustion — was evident.
A Pattern She Says Changed Her
In later interviews and podcast appearances, LaPaglia reflected on how the relationship affected her sense of self. Speaking on Casual Chaos, she described feeling monitored, second-guessing her words, and slowly losing the version of herself she recognized.
“That’s when the light bulb went off,” she said. “Someone really can have so much control over you without you even realizing it.”
Where Things Stand Now
While Bryan continues his music career — and his new marriage — LaPaglia has chosen a different route: reclaiming her voice, one lyric at a time. Whether through Taylor Swift songs, TikTok clips, or podcast conversations, she’s making it clear she won’t stay silent — even if she’s saying everything between the lines.
And judging by how closely fans are watching, every lyric she chooses still speaks volumes.
