Portnoy Questions Zach Bryan's New Wife, Reigniting Drama
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has expressed his opinions regarding Zach Bryan’s new wife.
“There’s absolutely no chance that’s a synthetic Brianna,” Portnoy, 48, stated via X on Friday, January 2. “There’s simply no way.”
Portnoy was referencing coworker and friend Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, who previously dated Bryan, 29, from 2023 to 2024.
Bryan revealed via Instagram on Wednesday, December 31, that he married girlfriend Samantha Leonard, sharing a glimpse of the surprise wedding.
Dave Portnoy's Disagreement With Zach Bryan Extends Far Beyond Brianna Chickenfry
“Stronger than anyone else,” he wrote in the caption.
In the photo, Bryan held Leonard in a bridal pose with a wine glass in her hand. The two were beaming as they celebrated their special day. Bryan also shared a video of him performing Bruce Springsteen’s song “Tougher Than the Rest” at their wedding festivities.
Bryan was initially linked to Leonard in August 2025. He shared a tribute to his now-wife via Instagram in October 2025 while celebrating her birthday.
“From rodeo events to all the difficulties, today is your birthday and I love you Samantha Marie,” he wrote at the time. “To the only woman who can hike six miles in designer flats, skydive over the Alps and catch a larger fish than me all in the same day. I hope your day was as elegant as you are.”
Bryan moved on with Leonard following his widely publicized separation from LaPaglia, 26. (Many fans have noted that the two women share a striking resemblance.)
“Brianna and I [sic] have ended our relationship and I respect and cherish her with all my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a significant period of time and for that, I will always be grateful,” Bryan announced in October 2024. “I am not flawless and never will be.”
Zach Bryan and Brianna ‘Chickenfry’ LaPaglia’s Relationship History
Following their split, LaPaglia appeared on the now-discontinued “BFFs” podcast — which she previously cohosted alongside Portnoy and TikTok star Josh Richards — and alleged that Bryan was abusive during their relationship. She also claimed that Bryan offered her more than $12 million to sign a non-disclosure agreement preventing her from publicly discussing their relationship. (She suggested that several of his former partners were presented with a similar arrangement.)
LaPaglia rejected the money, and Bryan never publicly responded to her accusations. Us Weekly reached out for comment on several occasions throughout the controversy.
Portnoy, meanwhile, found himself embroiled in a dispute with Bryan after openly supporting LaPaglia during their breakup.
Portnoy described Bryan as “a very immature, insecure young man” during an October 2024 podcast episode. He also claimed to be “prohibited” from attending Bryan’s concerts and created a diss track about the singer.
“He dislikes me intensely,” Portnoy said about Bryan during a November 2024 episode of the “BFFs” podcast.
