At a Glance
- Zach Bryan married Samantha Leonard in Spain on Dec. 31.
- Instagram post shows him holding her in a strapless white gown with wine.
- He faced backlash over split with ex LaPaglia and defended his friends in January.
- Why it matters: Fans see how the country star balances love, public scrutiny, and his music career.
Zach Bryan, the country singer known for heartfelt storytelling, tied the knot with girlfriend Samantha Leonard in Spain on Dec. 31, amid a whirlwind of public attention and past relationships. The couple celebrated on Instagram with a striking photo and a caption that read “Tougher than the rest.” Meanwhile, Bryan has been navigating the fallout from his split with ex-partner BriaNna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia.
Wedding Celebration
The Dec. 31 Instagram post featured Bryan holding Leonard in a strapless white wedding gown, a glass of wine in her hand, and the caption “Tougher than the rest.” A video clip later circulated, showing the new couple in a green convertible with a “Just Married” banner on the trunk and cans attached to the bumper.
- Strapless gown and wine with caption “Tougher than the rest.”
- Green convertible with “Just Married” banner and cans on bumper.
- Groomsmen tuxedo photo with Black Eyed Peas lyric “I Got a Feeling.”
Dating Rumors and Past Relationships
Leonard first sparked dating rumors in July when she posted a photo of the pair at Spain’s Running of the Bulls, followed by a boat photo the next month. Bryan had previously been married to Rose Madden from 2020 to 2021, and in October he made the relationship official by posting a birthday tribute that read, “From bull runs to all the bulls*, today is your birthday and I love you Samantha Marie.”
| Date | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| July | Dating rumors sparked | Photo at Running of the Bulls |
| August | Boat photo shared | Close-up of couple |
| Oct 2024 | Split announced | Public breakup with LaPaglia |
| Oct 2024 | Birthday tribute | “From bull runs to all the bulls*…” |
| Dec 31 2024 | Wedding | Instagram post, green convertible |
| Jan 2025 | Defense against backlash | Instagram Stories statements |
Public Dispute and Defense
In October 2024, Bryan announced his split from LaPaglia on Instagram Stories, writing, “She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her.” LaPaglia later said she was blindsided, noting, “He didn’t text me, he didn’t call me.” In January 2025, Bryan defended himself against critics, stating, “No matter how bad of a person you think I am, go ahead and come for me. I can take all the hatred because I’m not a child. But do not come for my friends who do nothing but love and care for me.”
Zach Bryan wrote on Instagram Stories:
> “She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her.”
Zach Bryan added:
> “I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways.”
Zach Bryan later said in January 2025:
> “No matter how bad of a person you think I am, go ahead and come for me. I can take all the hatred because I’m not a child. But do not come for my friends who do nothing but love and care for me.”
Zach Bryan also wrote:
> “I love my life. I have worked REALLY hard for it. Whether you think I deserve it or not. Whether you think I suck or not. Stop being such sad fat fingered internet sleuths to my friends. We’re all humans.”
BriaNna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia said in a YouTube video:
> “I had no idea that post was going up. He didn’t text me, he didn’t call me.”
Key Takeaways
- Zach Bryan married Samantha Leonard in Spain on Dec. 31, celebrated on Instagram.
- The couple’s relationship began publicly in July 2024 and was officially announced in October.
- Bryan faced backlash over his split with LaPaglia and publicly defended his friends in January.
Zach Bryan’s journey from heartbreak to marriage illustrates how personal life events continue to shape his public narrative and music career.
