Country music star Zach Bryan has seemingly used his highly anticipated new album to deliver a series of pointed lyrical messages aimed at his ex-girlfriend, TikTok personality Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia. The release of his 25-track record, With Heaven on Top, on Friday 9 January 2026, has ignited fresh discussion about their tumultuous split announced in October 2024.
Lyrical Allegations and Tattoo Regrets
On the track titled "Skin," the Grammy-winning artist sings vividly about removing tattoos, a move widely interpreted as a metaphor for erasing the past. Bryan croons about "taking a blade to my old tattoos" to drain "the blood between me and you." He continues, "I'm taking a blade to my own skin / And I ain't ever touching yours again," before posing pointed questions about loyalty and motive.
The lyrics take a more direct turn as he appears to criticise a habit of gossiping, asking, "Do you still talk s*** on all of your friends? / Need to take it all to the chin this time stone-cold sober." This follows LaPaglia's own very public podcast discussions about their relationship after their breakup.
A Relationship Timeline Turned Sour
Bryan, 29, and LaPaglia dated from July 2023 until their separation in October 2024. During their romance, LaPaglia famously got a tattoo reading "How lucky are we" on her arm, a phrase Bryan later used in his song "28." Weeks after the split, the podcaster accused Bryan of emotional abuse, alleging he offered her a $12 million non-disclosure agreement. Bryan has not publicly countered these claims.
However, his song "Plastic Cigarette" offers a stark perspective. He reflects on meeting someone "evil" in Queens, New York, singing, "My brother had told me to leave but I didn't believe the evil beneath some people you meet out in Queens." This holds significance as LaPaglia first connected with Bryan after attending his concert at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens in June 2023 and mentioning him on her podcast.
New Love and a Contrast in Character
The album also serves as a clear homage to Bryan's new wife, artist Samantha Leonard, 28, whom he married in a private Spanish ceremony on New Year's Eve. In "Slicked Back," he draws a sharp contrast between his past and present. He sings, "Used to know some folks who put it all online," a likely nod to LaPaglia's TikTok fame, before praising Leonard: "but you paint landscapes in the evening time."
The song transforms into a romantic ode, with Bryan asking, "When I get to hell or heaven, can I bring my girl? / 'Cause she likes romance, good sex, music and ruling the world." The couple celebrated their union on Instagram, with Bryan posting a photo captioned "Tougher than the rest."
The Independent has contacted representatives for both Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia for comment regarding the lyrical content of With Heaven on Top. The album's release ensures the narrative of their very public breakup continues to resonate through his music.
