Zach Bryan's Ex Says She Doesn't 'Find Any Gratification' in Other Women Hurting After His Split from Brianna Chickenfry

Mar. 15, 2025

Zach Bryan and Bri LaPaglia; Deb Peifer.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty; Deb Peifer/Instagram

Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty; Deb Peifer/Instagram

Zach Bryan’s ex-girlfriendDeb Peiferis clarifying how she feels after his recent split fromBrianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia.

“I don’t really feel like I have to say this, but I kind of think I want to. I’m not 100% sure yet, honestly,” Peifer began. “But I just want to be clear on the fact that I don’t find any gratification in other people hurting. Specifically other women hurting.”

She continued, “I think that emotions are so nuanced and so complicated, but I don’t feel better because other people are hurting in any capacity. I don’t think you should either, but that’s your journey.”

Deb Peifer.Deb Peifer/Instagram

Deb Peifer/Instagram

Bryan and Peiferbroke up in May 2023, after first being linked the previous year. The “Dawns” singer announced their relationship had ended on X (formerly Twitter), claiming he wanted to share the news “for transparency and with respect.”

“Things are mutual between us, we’re leaving with plenty [of] memories and good times,” he wrote at the time. “I beg so much that everyone respects her and my privacy through a hard time.”

In October, the country star took to social media to confirm that he and LaPaglia split up after initiallymaking their relationship publicin July 2023. In an Instagram Stories post shared earlier this week, Bryan wrote, “Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her.”

Zach Bryan and Bri LaPaglia at the Grammys on Feb. 4, 2024.Gilbert Flores/Getty

Gilbert Flores/Getty

He added, “I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna’s privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too.”

Shortly after Bryan shared his post, LaPaglia responded on her own Instagram Stories, noting she was feeling “blindsided.” ThePlan Bri UnCutpodcasterelaborated on the feelingin a briefYouTubevideo.

“I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn’t text me, he didn’t call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, ‘Are you okay?'” LaPaglia explained in her video recorded on the bathroom floor, a place she said “gives her comfort” at the start of the video.

Brianna LaPaglia.Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty

Michael Buckner/WWD via Getty

Pointing to the “swelling” on her face, she admitted that she had been “crying for like five days straight.”

The content creator went on to explain that she didn’t want to talk about “details right now,” though she confirmed that “she will, obviously” in time. At that moment, however, she said that she “wanted to heal privately” but “had no idea that [Bryan] was going to post” about their split.

source: people.com