If you’ve spent any time on the messy side of TikTok or listened to the BFFs podcast lately, you know the name. Brianna LaPaglia—better known as Brianna Chickenfry—has been through it. The hangovers, the viral rants, the high-profile relationship drama, and then, the curveball: the Brianna Chickenfry Sports Illustrated digital cover.
It wasn't just a photoshoot. It was a statement. Honestly, it was a "f*** you" to a toxic situation.
When the photos dropped in January 2025, people weren't just looking at the bikinis. They were looking at a woman who had finally stopped letting a man call the shots. The story of how she got there involves millions of dollars in rejected NDAs, a country music superstar, and a red carpet gig that she almost didn't take because she was told it was "trashy."
The "Trashy" Comment That Almost Stopped Everything
Before the big cover story, there was a hosting gig. Back in May 2024, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit reached out to Brianna. They wanted her to host the red carpet for their massive 60th-anniversary celebration in New York City. For a 25-year-old content creator from Boston, that's a career-defining "yes."
But she said no.
Why? Because her boyfriend at the time, country star Zach Bryan, reportedly got in her head. During her interview for the Brianna Chickenfry Sports Illustrated feature, she didn't hold back. She recalled telling him about the opportunity and being met with immediate judgment.
“In the beginning, he was like, 'Oh, that’s really cool, but isn’t Sports Illustrated [Swimsuit] trashy?'” Brianna shared.
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He allegedly asked if they were going to make her walk around in a bikini and made her feel like the opportunity was beneath her. He told her he would look at her differently if she did it. So, she canceled. She stayed in the "bus era," shrinking her life to fit into the confines of a tour schedule.
Reclaiming Her Body in La Quinta
Fast forward to January 2025. The relationship was over. The breakup was public, loud, and incredibly messy. Brianna had already gone viral for revealing she turned down a $12 million NDA offer to stay silent about her time with Bryan.
Instead of taking the money, she took the cover.
The photoshoot took place at The Austin Estate in La Quinta, California. If you look at the photos, the vibe is earthy, raw, and defiant. Photographer Katherine Goguen captured Brianna in everything from snake-skin bikinis to a plunging black one-piece that basically broke the internet.
This was her "reclamation tour."
She told the magazine that the shoot meant more than just "looking hot." It was about taking her power back. For a year, she felt like she had to dim her light to keep someone else comfortable. Standing in front of those cameras in the California desert was her way of saying she’s the only one who gets to decide what she wears or how she presents herself.
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The Viral Response and the "Revenge" Factor
People love a good comeback story. The Brianna Chickenfry Sports Illustrated debut wasn't just popular with her existing "Chickenfry" fan base; it reached a massive new audience. Her DMs were, in her own words, "popping off."
But beyond the male attention, the response from women was the real story.
She received thousands of messages from girls who had been in similar controlling relationships. They saw her refusal to sign an NDA and her decision to pose for SI as a roadmap for getting out. It transformed her from a "party girl" influencer into a weirdly relatable figure for survivors of emotional abuse.
What She Wore (and Why It Matters)
The styling was intentional. No "trashy" vibes here.
- PatBO Black Bikini: Classy, bold, and accented with pearls.
- Tropic of C Earth Tones: Blending into the desert landscape to emphasize "natural" beauty.
- Isa Boulder Textures: High-fashion pieces that felt more like art than just swimwear.
It was a far cry from the "trashy" label her ex had slapped on the brand.
Life After the Cover: Special Forces and Solo Podcasting
The SI cover was just the beginning of a massive 2025 for Brianna. Since then, she’s been everywhere. She competed on Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test, proving she’s more than just a "talker." She and Gia Giudice surprisingly held their own against actual Olympians.
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She also made a huge change to her career. After years of co-hosting BFFs with Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards, she stepped away in late 2025. She brought back her original show, PlanBri Uncut, as a solo project.
It's a full-circle moment. She started in her college dorm room as a dropout with a dream, and now she’s a household name in the digital space.
What You Can Learn from Brianna’s "SI" Era
If there’s one takeaway from the Brianna Chickenfry Sports Illustrated saga, it’s about brand ownership. Brianna realized that her "brand" isn't just a nickname or a funny TikTok. It’s her autonomy.
If you're looking to build your own presence or just navigate a tough career pivot, here are a few actionable insights from her journey:
- Don't Let Partners Dictate Your Career: If an opportunity feels right for your growth, a supportive partner won't call it "trashy" to keep you small.
- Vulnerability is a Currency: Brianna’s most successful "era" began when she stopped being "perfectly chaotic" and started being "painfully honest."
- The "F* You" Move Works:** Sometimes, the best way to move on is to do the exact thing you were told you couldn't do.
Brianna isn't done yet. She’s already hinted at moving away from the "influencer" label and focusing more on long-form podcasting and reality TV. Whatever she does next, it's clear she's doing it on her terms.
If you want to keep up with her latest moves, check out her solo episodes of PlanBri Uncut. She’s currently documenting her solo travel era through Ireland and Scotland, which is a massive vibe shift from her old party-bus days. It’s worth a watch just to see how much someone can change in a year when they finally stop walking on eggshells.