Zach Bryan Broke His Silence After Breaking Up With Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia

This story contains discussion of emotional abuse.

ICYMI, Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia broke up last October after a year of dating.

Briana Chickenfry and Zach Bryan at an event, smiling for a photo. The woman wears an elegant off-shoulder dress with lace sleeves, and the man is in a classic black suit
John Shearer / Getty Images

The country superstar first revealed the split on his IG story at the time. "Brianna and me have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart," he wrote. "She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her."

Summary of text: Zach Bryan announces breakup with Brianna, expressing mutual respect and understanding, while thanking her and acknowledging personal struggles

Brianna posted her own statement to her IG story soon thereafter, with the podcaster claiming that she was "blindsided" by Zach's announcement.

The image shows a message saying Brianna is stepping away from social media to heal and expresses gratitude for support, promising to return

In an episode of her BFFs podcast that aired the following month, Brianna alleged that she faced "narcissistic, emotional abuse" in her relationship with Zach — and that he and his team allegedly offered her a $12-million NDA to not discuss their relationship publicly.

"He manipulated the fuck out of me," she said. "I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it, and I hope you never have to go through, but if you've been there, you know what I'm talking about. It was just this constant cycle of, 'Built you up, beat you down, apologize,' over and over and over."

Brianna Chickenfry in an elegant strapless gown poses for a photo on a floral backdrop. Hair styled in an updo
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

On Thursday, Jan. 9, Zach broke his silence for the first time since Brianna's claims in a statement posted to his IG story (via E! News), speaking out against "couch warriors attacking and belittling my friends."

Zach Bryan with guitar, wearing a sleeveless shirt, smiles on stage during a performance
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"Everyone wonders why I quit touring and don't want to be attached to music anymore," he wrote. "Meanwhile you're calling my friends ugly and harassing them?"

Zach Bryan performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a graphic t-shirt. Drums visible in the background
Christopher Polk / Getty Images

Zach went on to say that he wasn't "asking for sympathy," but that "going for my -friends- is so low and so messed up."

Zach Bryan in a sleek black tuxedo standing on a red carpet at an event, with a Grammy Award on a stand nearby

"Apparently I've [had] four different girlfriends in like two weeks meanwhile my friends and me are just laughing and hanging out like we always have," he added.

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

"No matter how bad of a person you think I am, go ahead and come for me," he also stated. "I can take all the hatred because I'm not a child. But do not come for my friends who do nothing but love and care for me."

Zach Bryan wearing a formal black suit and bow tie, smiling at the camera against a blurred background
Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

"I love my life. I have worked REALLY hard for it. Whether you think I deserve it or not. Whether you think I suck or not. Stop being such sad fat fingered internet sleuths to my friends. We're all humans and I'm so tired of people thinking social media is a way to have a moral high ground on people THEYVE never met?"

Zach Bryan with tattoos plays an acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone onstage
Barry Brecheisen / WireImage

Zach also went on to say that he was "unphased by the fake shit people say about me online."

Zach Bryan in a sharp suit with a satin lapel poses on the red carpet at a formal event
Gilbert Flores / Penske Media via Getty Images

"Coming for people I love and care for is my line and final straw," he wrote. "I've said what I needed to say. My chest is still out and heads are still held high."

Zach Bryan performing on stage, playing an acoustic guitar and wearing a patterned t-shirt
Stephen J. Cohen / Getty Images

We'll let you know if Brianna has anything to say in response.