Are Zach Bryan's new album lyrics hinting at ex-girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry? Is his new song 'Skin' from the album 'With Heaven on Top' a direct diss?

Zach Bryan’s new album With Heaven on Top has fueled fan speculation that one song references his ex-girlfriend Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia. The latest album has landed, and listeners are already dissecting every lyric. The country singer’s sixth studio release, With Heaven on Top, is stirring conversation online. One track in particular has fans wondering if Bryan is revisiting a very public breakup. The speculation centers on a past relationship that once played out both online and in ink, as per a report by Us Weekly.


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Is “Skin” about Zach Bryan’s breakup with Brianna Chickenfry?

Zach Bryan released With Heaven on Top on Friday, January 9, marking his sixth studio album. Almost immediately, fans zeroed in on the track “Skin,” questioning whether its pointed lyrics are directed at Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, whom Bryan dated for about a year before their split in October 2024.

In the song, Bryan reflects on tattoos and permanence, asking, “How do tattoos take to your skin?” The line struck a chord with longtime followers, given the couple’s history with matching tattoos. During their relationship, LaPaglia had the phrase “How lucky are we?” tattooed on her upper arm. Bryan later referenced the same phrase in his 2024 song “28” and got a similar tattoo himself.


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On “Skin,” however, the tone shifts dramatically. Bryan sings, “I’m taking a blade to my old tattoos / I’m draining the blood between me and you / I’m taking a blade to my own skin.” He then adds, “And I ain’t never touching yours again / Yeah, I ain’t never touching yours again,” a line many listeners interpret as a clear emotional boundary drawn after a painful breakup, as per a report by Us Weekly.

What other lyrics have fans talking?

Beyond the tattoo imagery, “Skin” includes lines that suggest lingering resentment and personal change. Bryan sings, “Do you still talk s*** on all your friends? / I’m here to take it all to the chin / This time stone-cold sober,” which fans have linked to his sobriety and the strained dynamic described during the relationship’s end.

The reaction online was swift. One YouTube commenter wrote, “This is def about chicken fry ��,” while another added, “Not one for drama but is this about b. Chicken ����.” Though Bryan has not confirmed the inspiration behind the song, the parallels have kept speculation alive, as per a report by Us Weekly.


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How did Bryan and LaPaglia’s breakup unfold publicly?

Bryan announced the breakup in an October 2024 Instagram Story, describing the decision as mutual but difficult. “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."

He continued, “I’ve 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 out different ways. I am not perfect and never will be.”

Weeks later, LaPaglia shared her own perspective during a November 2024 episode of her BFFs podcast. She said she was “blindsided” by the split and accused Bryan of emotional abuse, stating, ““The last year of my life has been the hardest year of my life dealing with the abuse from this dude.” Bryan has not publicly responded to those allegations, as per a report by Us Weekly.

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“I’m still scared right now because I’m scared of him. My brain’s rewired and I’m scared to make him mad.”

Following the breakup, Bryan moved forward with Samantha Leonard. The two married in Spain at the end of 2025. He confirmed the marriage with an Instagram post on December 31, captioned, “Tougher than the rest,” alongside a photo of the couple in their wedding attire.

Additionally, he gushed about his "Runny Eggs" partner, saying that he wanted to "find a lady with some big old Spanish eyes" in Pamplona, where they made their Instagram debut during the summer, as per a report by Page Six.

LaPaglia teased a new romance on TikTok on Thursday, but she hasn't responded to the diss tracks yet.

FAQs

Did Zach Bryan confirm “Skin” is about Brianna Chickenfry?
No, Bryan has not publicly confirmed who inspired the song.

When did Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia break up?
They split in October 2024 after about one year of dating.