Brianna Chickenfry and Grace O'Malley Have Tense Exchange Recalling 'Horrific' Experience with Older Men When They Were 16: 'It's Not My Fault'
During a recent episode of their 'PlanBri Uncut' podcast, the friends recalled a 'bad' experience that occurred when they were teens
Fans are speaking out in defense of Grace O'Malley in response to a recent PlanBri Uncut episode.
During the episode released on Oct. 8, the internet personality and her co-host Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia recalled a "bad" experience when they were 16 years old during a trip to Atlantic City 10 years ago.
The conversation was initiated when O'Malley mentioned she'd be returning to the New Jersey town as part of her stand-up comedy tour with Whitney Cummings this fall. "I'm going back to Atlantic City," the comedian told her co-host.
LaPaglia replied, "Oh my god, the last time we went was when we were 16... I hope it ends better."
Visibly uncomfortable at the thought and a bit at a loss for words, O'Malley confidently said, "It totally will." She then made known, "Something bad happened last time I was there that shaped me as a woman."
LaPaglia added, "It was really bad."
It appeared as though O'Malley wasn't looking to share details on her past experience, telling their listeners to "do with that what you will" after revealing what had happened wasn't a fond memory. She went on to state it "won't happen again" and explained why.
"Now I am a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants and won't be settling for anything less or being coerced or forced into anything else," O'Malley said, still without explicitly mentioning details.
LaPaglia, meanwhile, recounted the story indirectly in an attempt to make a lesson out of it. "When you're 16 you just don't really know anything," she said before directing her lengthy spiel to 16-year-old girls and mothers with 16-year-old daughters who were listening.
Related: Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's Relationship Timeline
"When you're 16 and maybe your mom brings you to Atlantic City, maybe you girls shouldn't hang out with the divorced men at the bar. Maybe you should go find other 16 year olds," LaPaglia began. "Maybe you shouldn't hang around older men because that's really scary and wrong and they will always take advantage of you because that's just what life is and men are scary."
"So let's stay away because you know it sounds so cool and fun in the moment, but then when you grow up, you look back on those experiences and horrific, she continued. "So stay away from older men and hang out with people your age. That's how life should be."
LaPaglia concluded, "Be a good 16-year-old and not do what we did. You can still have fun. Stick with your age group."
O'Malley jumped in, ensuring her podcast listeners, "It's not your fault." To which LaPaglia responded, "No, and we want to save you from them."
In an attempt to lighten the mood, the comedian said with a laugh that she would "parole the beach" after her stand-up show in Atlantic City and "make sure nobody is doing anything wrong." Of the fictional scenario, she explained, "I'm going to go to the beach and say, 'Give me your IDs, both of you'!"
LaPaglia doubled down, saying, "Yes, you should," though she continued to indirectly reference O'Malley's "bad" experience in Atlantic City. "Don't do it because... If you're that friend that goes to the beach and does bad stuff, you give your other friends a heart attack and they have to—."
O'Malley, upset, jumped in and yelled, "It's not my fault!"
"No, I'm not saying it's your fault," LaPaglia replied. "I'm saying don't hang out with older men because, really, it's horrible for everyone because we thought Grace died. I thought Grace died and was kidnapped and thank god she wasn't, just other horrible things."
She continued, "But, it's scary to look for your friend and think she's dead... it is. You did that for me, too. It's scary to look for your friend and think she's dead."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
O'Malley said, "It's the worst feeling in the world." To which LaPaglia added, "Atlantic City is scary and I hope that it's beautiful now for you."
When O'Malley seemingly attempted to put an end to the conversation, LaPaglia kept it going. "Atlantic City is scary and I hope that it's beautiful now for you," she said. "It's exactly 10 years.... wow. 10 years can make a big difference though. It's going to be so good."
O'Malley told LaPaglia to "stop," though LaPaglia said, "I'm saying it for real. I'm trying to motivate you to have a great time."
After the exchange took an uncomfortable turn, the hour-plus-long podcast ended with LaPaglia telling O'Malley to "have fun in Atlantic City." Meanwhile, listeners quickly voiced their opinions in the comments, coming to the comedian's defense.
Many commenters pointed out the "victim blaming" within their exchange. "The whole Atlantic City shpeel minimizing Grace being a victim is actually insane. I do not know how Grace held her composure," wrote one commenter. "Grace do yourself a favor and get away from Bri, that girl is NOT your friend," another listener wrote.
PlanBri Uncut launched in 2020 and details how comical it is to navigate life in your 20s. The podcast has spawned controversial conversations, along with friendship breakup rumors, in the past.
In May 2024, rumors swirled online that PlanBri Uncut would be ending when a TikTok of LaPaglia briefly mentioning that she thought about “bringing back a solo episode [or podcast]” called “Thera-Bri” featuring herself without O’Malley circulated.
LaPaglia, however, confirmed that wasn't the case. “Nothing would change, there would just be more content from the both of us. Me and Grace are best friends forever," she said on the May 29 episode of the BFF’s podcast.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.