Barstool founder Dave Portnoy reacts to Brianna Chickenfry's sudden split from Zach Bryan

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Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has defended Brianna Chickenfry following her sudden split from country singer Zach Bryan.

Portnoy, the host of the BFFs Podcast with Chickenfry (real name LaPaglia) and Josh Richards, went to X on Sunday (October 22) to send his friend a message. His comments came hours after Chickenfry confirmed her split from Bryan, writing on her Instagram Story that she felt “really blindsided.”

Reacting to the news, Portnoy shared a link to Swift's hit breakup song “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” from her latest album. The Tortured Poets Department. “I dedicate this to @BChikenfry,” he wrote.

“In the meantime, please address the drama BFFs I need it,” one fan pleaded in response.

On Sunday, the country star first posted a statement on his Instagram Story, revealing that he and Chickenfry had officially separated after more than a year of dating. “I want to address something: Brianna and I have separated (sic) and I respect and love her from the bottom of my heart,” his statement began. “She loved me unconditionally for a very long time and I will always thank her for that.”

He continued: “I've had an incredibly tough year personally and have had to go through some pretty bad things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us if we took different paths. I’m not perfect and never will be.”

The “Something in the Orange” singer then asked for “privacy and space” for himself and his ex before saying he was “sorry” that “someone (him) let down.”

Chickenfry then posted her own statement on her Instagram story, writing: “Hey guys, I’m feeling really caught off guard at the moment. I'm going to stay off social media for a while and try to heal privately. When I'm ready, I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much, thank you for all your kind words. Remember that you are so loved and that everything will always be okay.”

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Chickenfry later posted a video on her YouTube channel in which she explained that they ended the relationship the day before Bryan's Instagram statement.

“I just woke up when Zach posted on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going to blow up,” she said through tears. “He didn't text me, he didn't call me:

She went on to detail how hurt she was by Brayn's post and the breakup, admitting that she “cried for five days straight.”

“How can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally through things you shouldn’t do,” she said. “How can you give someone your whole self and then be separated from them in a few days? It’s really, really heartbreaking.”

She also told fans that she isn't ready to reveal details of their breakup yet but will do so at some point.

In July 2023, Chickenfry first confirmed that she was dating Bryan before they made their red carpet debut at the Grammys in February. At the awards ceremony, Bryan won his first Grammy for his duet with Kacey Musgraves' “I Remember Everything.”

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Bryan and Chickenfry's split came after some Reddit users posted alleged screenshots of the singer on the exclusive dating app Raya, sparking rumors of a split between the couple.

However, Chickenfry initially shut down the speculation during an episode of “Barstool Sports.” BFFs podcast earlier this month that said they were “together and everything is fine.”

“I don’t want to speak for Zach, but he kind of spoke for himself on Instagram. He's just been through a lot of personal crap and I feel like I'm bearing the brunt of it,” she said. “We don’t post each other for a week and it took the internet by storm. He’s going through a lot of personal things and I went home and just broke up.”