Zach Bryan Says ‘I Am Not Perfect’ as He Confirms Breakup from Brianna Chickenfry Following Her Cryptic Message

The country musician and the podcast host made their relationship public in July 2023

Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia. Photo: Getty

Zach Bryan and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia have broken up.

After making their relationship public in July 2023, the country singer confirmed on Instagram that he and the internet personality have gone their separate ways.

“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,” wrote Bryan on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

“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,” he continued. “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.”

Bryan concluded, “With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself.”

Zach Bryan posts note on Instagram Story.Zach Bryan/Instagram

Shortly after Bryan shared his post, LaPaglia seemingly responded on her own Instagram Stories, noting she was feeling “blindsided.”

“Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I’m ready I’ll be back and ready to talk,” she wrote. “I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything’s always gonna be okay.”

PEOPLE reached out to LaPaglia’s rep for further comment.

Brianna LaPaglia Instagram post.Brianna LaPaglia/Instagram

LaPaglia previously sparked breakup rumors a day earlier as she uploaded a cryptic message to her Instagram account. The social media post featured a photograph of a yellow notebook page with a handwritten note on the top of the sheet and a stick figure drawing of a person at the bottom.

“And eventually you’ll find that life goes on, even if you don’t want it to,” the note began. “The days will pass and the world will move while you ask it to stop. You’ll believe life is cruel for continuing on while your feet are stuck.”

“You’ll find people and moments to blame for your concrete feet. Then there will come a morning when you wake and realize things go on, life isn’t cruel. Your feet are,” the message continued. “The world keeps on spinning in hopes of showing you that you can as well.”

Zach Bryan and Brianna LaPaglia.Neilson Barnard/Getty

While LaPaglia didn’t specify who or what the ominous in-feed note was about, fans theorized that the handwritten message meant her relationship with Bryan had come to an end on TikTok. Breakup rumors escalated as others alleged they saw the singer on the dating app Raya and shared screenshots to accompany their claims.

A rep for Bryan did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Bryan and LaPaglia met for the first time at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023. They made their romance public shortly after, confirming they were dating on her podcast, PlanBri Uncut.

Brianna LaPaglia posts note on Instagram.Brianna LaPaglia/Instagram

LaPaglia continued to open up about her relationship with Bryan in the months that followed and they made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She also addressed the “hate” she’s received since making her romance public.

“But now, I realize you can’t buy into love — or hate — on the internet,” she told PEOPLE at the PEOPLE during the Streamy Awards in August 2023. “You just kinda gotta be yourself and see where it takes ya.”

LaPaglia and Bryan celebrated their one-year anniversary on July 14, 2024. At the time, Bryan penned a sweet post on Instagram about her in honor of their special milestone.

“Here’s to a year together. Happy anniversary and I love you so much Brianna,” he wrote. “Just about one of the only people that makes me laugh anymore and OFTEN. Proud to call you my girl.”

LaPaglia replied with her own post, writing, “A year full of loving harder than I thought I was capable of and laughing louder than any year before. There isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do for ya. My person forever. I love you my Zachary.”