Is Zach Bryan Dating a 'Clone' of His Ex-Girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia? Netizens Blast Him On Social Media

A high-profile dating choice has sparked fierce online criticism and questions about Zach Bryan's recent relationship with his new girlfriend. Social media users and commentators are questioning whether his new girlfriend is essentially a mirror image of his former partner, triggering widespread mockery online.

In July, photographs emerged of Bryan at Spain's Running of the Bulls, showing him arm-in-arm with a woman named Samantha Leonard. Observers quickly noted the striking similarity between Leonard and Bryan's ex, Brianna 'Chickenfry' LaPaglia. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, raised eyebrows when he shared side-by-side images of the two women on his podcast, calling the resemblance 'insane'.

Portnoy remarked, 'That is not Brianna. It's crazy. How is that even possible?' His comments drew further attention when Reddit users echoed the sentiment, describing Leonard as a 'clone' of LaPaglia. Some went further, suggesting Bryan might have intentionally chosen someone who looks like his ex. The hosts of The Unnamed Show struggled to distinguish between past and present flames, with Portnoy joking, 'He built a Brianna 2.0 in the lab. That's insane.'

Tensions between Bryan and LaPaglia

The relationship between Bryan and LaPaglia has been publicly tense since their breakup last year. LaPaglia, a social media influencer, reportedly turned down a lucrative NDA worth around £10 million (approximately $13 million). Meanwhile, Bryan released a song titled 'River Washed Hair', which many interpret as a reference to his ex, further fuelling the feud.

Bryan's behaviour has not gone unnoticed. Recently, he posted a video on Instagram, now deleted, in which he set fire to a Barstool Sports flag and struck a golf ball off it. The action appeared as a direct jab at LaPaglia, who works for Portnoy's company. Portnoy responded on his podcast, calling Bryan 'a lunatic' and 'crazy' for the stunt.

Online reactions and ongoing controversy

The online community has reacted strongly to Bryan's recent actions and his new relationship. Reddit comments describe the resemblance between Leonard and LaPaglia as 'actually crazy' and 'scary'. Some users compared Bryan's choice of partner to Kanye West's infamous attempt to replace Kim Kardashian with a 'clone' of her.

Barstool Sports' Portnoy did not hold back, describing Bryan as 'a psycho' and questioning how he managed to find someone who looks so similar to his ex. 'This guy is an absolute psychopath,' he said. 'How do you even find that person? And what is that girl thinking?' His blunt remarks reflect the ongoing tension surrounding Bryan's personal life.

Additional context of the feud

The controversy extends beyond Bryan's dating choices. Since their split, LaPaglia has publicly spoken out, allegedly rejecting a substantial financial deal to keep quiet about the relationship. Bryan, meanwhile, has continued releasing music and engaging in provocative social media posts that seem aimed at his ex. His recent behaviour has only added fuel to the fire, with some accusing him of trying to stir drama.

The back-and-forth underscores a relationship marked more by public disputes than private peace. While Bryan's dating life remains under scrutiny, the real focus has become the apparent resemblance between his current partner and his ex. This has led many to question whether Bryan intentionally sought someone who would serve as a 'clone'.