Tattoos are usually permanent. Relationships? Not so much. If you’ve been following the messy fallout between country superstar Zach Bryan and Barstool personality Brianna Chickenfry (Brianna LaPaglia), you know that ink has become the ultimate battleground. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s basically a country song come to life, but with more TikTok receipts.
The internet is currently losing its mind over a specific track on Zach’s 2026 album, With Heaven on Top. In the song "Skin," he sings about taking a blade to his old tattoos to "drain the blood" between him and an ex. Everyone knows who he’s talking about.
But what’s the actual deal with the Zach Bryan tattoo of Bri? Did he actually get her face on his body? Did she get his lyrics? Honestly, the truth is a lot weirder than the rumors, and it involves a drunk trip to Vegas, a sick puppy, and a very expensive NDA that never got signed.
The Tattoo Zach Got of Brianna (Yes, It’s Real)
Let’s clear this up first. Early in their relationship—like, "we just met a few days ago" early—Zach Bryan reportedly went out and got a tattoo of Brianna.
According to Brianna’s own account on the BFFs podcast, Zach didn’t just get a little tribute. He got a tattoo of her on his arm. She described it as a total "love bombing" move. One day they’re hanging out on a road trip from Philly to Oklahoma, and the next, he’s got her likeness permanently etched into his skin.
It was intense.
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Think about it: most people wait a year before sharing a Netflix password. Zach went straight for the needle. Brianna later admitted that at the time, she thought it was romantic. She thought he was the "greatest dude ever" during those first four months. Later, she’d call it a manipulation tactic.
Now that Zach is married to Samantha Leonard, fans are dying to know if that Brianna tattoo is still there. If "Skin" is any indication, he’s either covered it up or is literally ready to cut it off.
The "How Lucky Are We" Confusion
This is where the SEO gets tangled. Everyone searches for the Zach Bryan tattoo of Bri, but half the time they’re actually talking about the tattoo Brianna has that became a Zach Bryan thing.
On the back of Brianna’s arm, there’s a script tattoo that reads: "How lucky are we?"
For a long time, fans thought she got this for Zach because those are famous lyrics from his song "28." It’s a beautiful sentiment. The song is gut-wrenching. But here’s the kicker: she had the tattoo first.
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The Real Origin Story:
- Vegas Roots: Brianna got the ink with a group of friends during a wild, drunken trip to Las Vegas four years ago.
- The "28" Connection: While they were dating, Zach used that phrase in his song "28." He even told fans the song was about his dog, Boston, getting surgery.
- The Conflict: Brianna recently cleared the air on TikTok in January 2026, basically saying, "That was my thing first." She’s refusing to remove it because it represents her life, not just the year she spent with Zach.
Why Everyone Is Talking About It in 2026
The drama peaked on January 9, 2026. Zach dropped his sixth studio album, and the lyrics weren’t exactly subtle.
In the song "Skin," he asks, "How do tattoos take to your skin? Does your higher ground ever sink in?" He basically vows to never touch her skin again. It’s a direct shot. It’s the musical equivalent of blocking someone on every platform but doing it in front of millions of people.
Brianna didn’t stay quiet. She responded with a TikTok using Taylor Swift lyrics, laughing off the fact that he’s still writing songs about her while he’s literally a newlywed. It’s a level of petty that only celebrities can achieve.
The $12 Million Secret
You can’t talk about the Zach Bryan tattoo of Bri without mentioning the NDA. Brianna claimed that Zach’s team offered her a staggering $12 million, a house, and an apartment in New York just to stay quiet about their relationship.
She turned it down.
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She said she didn’t want to sign away her experiences to protect a "weak man." Because she didn't sign, we get the podcast episodes. We get the tattoo tours. We get the raw, ugly truth about what happened behind the scenes of those "perfect" Instagram posts.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think these tattoos were a mutual, romantic decision made in a moment of clarity. They weren't.
Based on the timelines, Zach's tattoo of Bri was a whirlwind impulse during a "love bombing" phase. Brianna's tattoo of the lyrics was a total coincidence that Zach eventually co-opted for his music.
It’s a cautionary tale, really. Tattoos outlast most "soulmate" connections. If you’re thinking about getting matching ink or a portrait of someone you met three weeks ago, maybe just buy a t-shirt instead.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Don't Rush the Ink: If a guy gets a tattoo of your face in the first week, run. That’s not a romantic gesture; it’s a red flag the size of Oklahoma.
- Own Your Story: If you have a tattoo that reminds you of an ex (like the "How lucky are we" fans), you don't have to laser it off. Reclaim the meaning. Make it about you, not them.
- Check the Lyrics: Listen to "Skin" and "28" back-to-back. It’s a fascinating look at how a songwriter can turn a "lucky" phrase into a "blade" when things go south.
The saga of the Zach Bryan tattoo of Bri is finally closing its doors as Zach moves on with his new wife and Brianna continues to build her Barstool empire. But the ink remains—either under a cover-up or as a permanent reminder of a year that was "a hell of a week" for everyone involved.
Check your local tattoo artist's portfolio before committing to a portrait; sometimes the cover-up is more expensive than the original mistake.