She was supposed to be on the red carpet. In May 2024, the world-famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise was celebrating its 60th anniversary. It was a massive deal. Every big name in the industry was going to be there, and Brianna LaPaglia—known to millions as Brianna Chickenfry—was booked to host the red carpet.
Then she bailed.
At the time, nobody really knew why. People assumed it was a scheduling conflict or maybe just the chaos of being one of Barstool Sports' biggest stars. But the truth was a lot messier, and it’s become the backbone of why Brianna LaPaglia Sports Illustrated is such a massive search term today. It wasn't about the work. It was about a relationship that nearly cost her one of the biggest milestones of her career.
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The "Trashy" Comment and the $12 Million Silence
Fast forward to January 2025. Brianna didn't just show up for SI; she became the January 2025 Digital Cover Model. But the path there was paved with some seriously dark behind-the-scenes drama involving her ex-boyfriend, country singer Zach Bryan.
Honestly, the details she dropped on the BFFs podcast and in her SI cover story are wild. She revealed that when she was offered the red carpet hosting gig in 2024, Bryan allegedly told her to turn it down. Why? Because he thought the magazine was "trashy." He reportedly told her it was beneath her brand.
She listened. She stayed home. She let the opportunity slip through her fingers because of a man's opinion.
When they eventually split in late 2024, things got even weirder. Brianna claimed Bryan’s team offered her a staggering $12 million NDA. Think about that. Twelve million dollars just to never talk about their relationship or its ending. She said no. She chose her voice over a life-changing amount of money, and part of using that voice was finally saying "yes" to the magazine she was told to avoid.
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More Than Just a Swimsuit Shoot
If you look at the photos from her shoot at The Austin Estate in La Quinta, California, they’re stunning. Katherine Goguen captured her in these earthy, high-fashion looks—everything from a snakeskin-printed two-piece from SAME Los Angeles to a plunging black suit by Christopher Esber.
But for Brianna, this wasn't just about looking hot.
"It's a lot more than me looking quote-unquote hot in a swimsuit—it's me reclaiming who I am as a woman," she told the magazine.
She called the shoot her "favorite f--- you." It was a public declaration of independence. For a girl who built her brand on being the "hungover college girl" sipping Blue Raspberry Coolattas on TikTok, this was a massive pivot into high-fashion editorial. It was her Reputation era, literally. She even told reporters at the 2025 launch party that her DMs were "popping off" after the shoot, though she’s currently sticking to her "friendship summer" vibe and staying single.
Why the SI Feature Actually Mattered
Most people think an SI cover is just about the beach and the bikinis. In the influencer age, it’s actually a legitimacy test. Brianna has spent years being criticized by people who think she’s "just" a podcaster or "just" a TikToker.
By landing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, she moved into a different bracket of fame. She joined the ranks of household names, but she did it on her own terms—tattoos on display, raw interview answers, and zero filter. She used the platform to talk about emotional abuse and the pressure of being a role model at 25.
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She also proved she can hang in the "real" celebrity world. Between the SI shoot, her appearance at the Golden Globes in a metallic "revenge dress," and her stint on the reality show Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, 2025 became the year she stopped being a "Barstool personality" and started being a mainstream force.
The Style Breakdown: How to Replicate the Look
The styling of the shoot was actually pretty intentional. It moved away from the neon, "party girl" aesthetic she used to have and toward something more refined. If you're looking to grab the same vibe, the editors focused on specific textures:
- Wood and Earth Tones: She wore an Andres Otalora piece paired with a Tropic of C bikini that used natural hues.
- The Christopher Esber One-Piece: This was the "main character" look. It’s a $450 matte-finish suit with brass orbit detailing.
- Floral Accents: A light pink rose-adorned bandeau from SAME Los Angeles signaled that "romantic but tough" transition she’s been going through.
What’s Next for Brianna?
She’s not slowing down. While she recently moved on from the BFFs podcast to focus more on her solo version of PlanBri Uncut, her involvement with Sports Illustrated isn't a one-and-done situation. She’s become a face for the brand’s digital evolution, representing the bridge between traditional media and the creator economy.
She’s also been vocal about the potential TikTok ban. Interestingly, she told SI she’s ready for it. She wants to focus on longer-form content and move away from the "hateful" nature of short-form apps. Whether TikTok stays or goes, the SI feature ensured that her face—and her story—isn't going anywhere.
Basically, she took a situation where she was told she wasn't "enough" and turned it into a digital cover that defined her career. It’s a classic redemption arc, just with more bikinis and a lot more honesty.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Creators
If you're following Brianna’s career trajectory or looking to learn from her brand pivot, keep these specific moves in mind. First, audit your brand partnerships; Brianna’s decision to turn down a massive NDA in favor of a legacy media feature like SI shows that long-term "voice" often outweighs short-term "cash." Second, if you're looking for the specific pieces from her California shoot, check the SI Swimsuit Shop or look for the "earthy" collections from Isa Boulder and PatBO, as these were the primary brands that defined her 2025 look. Finally, watch her transition back to solo podcasting on PlanBri Uncut—it's a masterclass in how to rebuild a personal brand after a highly public personal crisis.