Zach Bryan is a lot of things. A Navy veteran, a prolific songwriter who drops 34-track albums like they’re nothing, and recently, a guy who can’t seem to stay out of the tabloids. But there’s a specific question that keeps popping up in Google search bars and TikTok comment sections lately: is zach bryan gay?
It’s a weird thing to see trending, especially when you look at his very public (and very messy) dating history with women.
Usually, these rumors start with a misread lyric or a single awkward interview moment. With Zach, it's a mix of both, plus a healthy dose of internet "shipping" and some high-profile drama. Let’s actually look at the facts instead of the rumors. Honestly, the real story of his personal life is way more chaotic than the fan theories suggest.
The Roots of the Rumor: Lyrics and Late Nights
People love to overanalyze. If you listen to Zach Bryan’s music, you know it’s intimate. He writes about "platonic intimacy" in a way most country artists wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
A while back, some fans on Reddit started dissecting lyrics from his older tracks. There was one line in particular about getting high and having a male guitar player come over to play "sweet notes" until the sun rises. Some listeners thought, Wait, if you swapped the pronouns to 'she,' everyone would assume it’s a love song. That’s basically how the is zach bryan gay chatter got its first legs. It wasn't based on a "coming out" post; it was based on the fact that Zach writes about his male friends with a level of emotional vulnerability that feels "non-traditional" for a guy from Oklahoma.
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That Viral Bar Incident
The fire got more fuel in early 2025. A video surfaced of Zach in a heated exchange at a bar in New York City after losing a game of pool. In the clip, he used a homophobic slur to describe the situation, saying something was "the gayest thing I’ve ever heard."
It was a bad look.
While the use of the slur actually suggests the opposite of him being gay, it brought the "sexuality" keyword back into the conversation for all the wrong reasons. Critics slammed him for being "regressive," while others argued it was just a guy being a "douche" at a bar. Regardless, it linked his name to the topic in a way that hasn't quite washed off.
His Real-Life Dating History (It’s a Lot)
If we are looking for evidence of his orientation, his track record with women is long, documented, and often ends in a song. Zach doesn't just date; he seems to dive into relationships at 100 miles per hour.
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- Rose Madden: His first wife. They met in the Navy and married in 2020. It was short-lived, ending in 2021 before he became a household name.
- Deb Peifer: The relationship that most fans remember from his "breakout" era. They were together for about 18 months. When they split in 2023, Zach posted a surprisingly transparent tweet about it being mutual.
- Brianna Chickenfry (LaPaglia): This was the big one. The Barstool Sports star and the country singer were the "it" couple of 2024. It ended in a total train wreck in October 2024, involving NDA allegations, 12-million-dollar payout rumors, and public crying on vlogs.
- Samantha Leonard: This brings us to right now. On New Year's Eve 2025, Zach surprised everyone by marrying Samantha Leonard in Spain.
Basically, the guy has been married or in a serious relationship with a woman for almost the entire time he’s been in the public eye.
Why the Question "Is Zach Bryan Gay" Still Trends
It’s mostly "internet brainrot," as one Reddit user put it. In 2026, the way we consume celebrity news is through 15-second clips and out-of-context quotes.
Zach is a "sensitive" songwriter. In the world of "alpha male" country music, being a guy who cries on stage and writes poems about his feelings makes you an outlier. Some people equate that sensitivity with a specific sexuality, which is a pretty dated way of thinking, but it drives search traffic nonetheless.
There’s also his stance on social issues. Zach has been vocal about supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the past, famously quoting Travis Tritt to shut down transphobia. When a country artist stands up for queer rights, a certain segment of the internet immediately starts asking questions about the artist's own identity.
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The Current Verdict
So, is zach bryan gay? Based on every single piece of available evidence—his marriages, his public partners, and his own statements—the answer is no.
He is currently married to Samantha Leonard. They seem happy, or at least as happy as a guy can be while he’s still releasing "diss tracks" about his ex-girlfriend (his new song "Skin" is basically a four-minute middle finger to the Brianna Chickenfry era).
What You Should Actually Know
If you're following the Zach Bryan saga, the sexuality rumors are the least interesting part. Here is what’s actually happening in his world right now:
- The New Marriage: He and Samantha Leonard tied the knot in Spain at the start of 2026.
- The Legal/Social Drama: Brianna LaPaglia has been very vocal about "sexual trauma" and emotional abuse allegations following their split. Zach hasn't addressed these directly but has used his new album With Heaven On Top to tell his side of the story.
- The Music: He is still one of the most successful artists in the world, despite (or maybe because of) the constant personal chaos.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you want the truth about a celebrity's life, look at their actions over a long period rather than a single viral tweet or a "theory" video. Zach Bryan's life is a revolving door of high-stakes romance and public breakups. The best way to keep up is to follow his official Instagram—though he deactivates it every time he gets into a fight—and actually listen to the lyrics on his latest album. He usually tells you exactly who he’s in love with (or mad at) by the second verse.
Keep an eye on his 2026 tour dates; seeing him live is usually the only way to tell if the "outlaw" persona is holding up or if the drama is finally catching up to him.