He Tried to Move On, But Zach Bryan’s Own Words Prove Some Stories Don’t End That Easily. ML
The Double Take Heard Around Nashville: Zach Bryan’s New Love Stirs Familiar Feelings
In Nashville, country gossip spreads faster than wildfire — and this week, Zach Bryan lit the match himself.
After the 29-year-old Something in the Orange hitmaker shared a loving birthday tribute to his new girlfriend, Samantha Leonard, fans couldn’t help but notice something uncanny: she looks almost exactly like his ex-girlfriend, podcaster Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia.
Within minutes, the internet exploded with comparisons, memes, and side-by-side photos. One TikTok user summed up the sentiment perfectly: “Are we sure these aren’t the same person?”
The singer — known for both his emotional songwriting and short temper with critics — disabled comments on the post, perhaps anticipating the storm.
Bryan’s Instagram featured candid shots of Leonard: fishing in a river, cooking outdoors, and smiling in sun-drenched photos. His caption read like a love letter:
💬 “From bull runs to all the bull**t, today is your birthday and I love you.”*
Meanwhile, LaPaglia has embraced the comparisons with a mix of humor and exasperation. On her Plan Bri Uncut podcast, she admitted she dyed her hair just to stop being tagged in photos of Leonard. “It’s crazy and weird that he’s dating a new version of me,” she said, “but who cares at this point?”
Their relationship — and breakup — was one of the most public in country music last year. After meeting at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards, Bryan and LaPaglia quickly became a “power couple,” walking the red carpet at the 2024 Grammys. But by October, the romance imploded.
Bryan announced their breakup via Instagram before, according to LaPaglia, even telling her. The influencer later accused him of emotional manipulation and alleged infidelity — claims Bryan has not publicly addressed.
Now, as he begins a new chapter with Leonard, Bryan once again finds himself balancing love, fame, and controversy.
