Zach Bryan’s Wild New Romance: The ‘Brianna Clone’ Girlfriend That’s Got Everyone Talking Trash and Why It’s Straight-Up Controversial.
Listen, country music’s bad boy Zach Bryan has never been one to shy away from drama—remember that messy 2024 breakup with Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia that had the internet in a chokehold? Well, fast-forward to August 2025, and the “I Remember Everything” singer is back at it, sparking fresh outrage with his rumored new girlfriend, Samantha Leonard. And oh boy, if you thought the ex-drama was over, think again—this one’s got a twist that’s got fans, celebs, and even Barstool bigwigs like Dave Portnoy labeling Zach a straight-up “psychopath.” In my opinion, it’s the kind of rebound that screams unresolved issues, and honestly, it’s both fascinating and a little creepy. Let’s unpack why this relationship is blowing up social media and why some folks are calling it downright controversial.
First off, who is Samantha Leonard? From what we’ve pieced together, she’s a low-key blonde bombshell who’s been popping up in Zach’s orbit since at least July 2025. Fans first clocked her on social media, where she posted cryptic snaps that screamed “new couple alert”—think cozy vibes and subtle tags that had sleuths doing double takes. Unlike Brianna, who’s a loud-and-proud Barstool podcaster with a massive following, Samantha seems more under-the-radar, but that’s where the similarities end… or do they? Nope, the big bombshell here is that Samantha looks eerily like Brianna—same long blonde hair, similar features, that whole influencer-girl-next-door aesthetic. Netizens are blasting Zach for dating what they call a “clone” of his ex, with one viral TikTok dubbing it “insane” and questioning if he’s even over the breakup. I mean, come on, Zach—variety is the spice of life, right? Or is this some weird psychological thing where he’s trying to recreate what he lost?
The controversy ramps up because this isn’t just fan speculation; it’s got heavy hitters weighing in. Dave Portnoy, Brianna’s boss at Barstool, went nuclear on his “Unnamed Show” podcast, calling Zach an “absolute psychopath” for seemingly seeking out a Brianna lookalike. He didn’t mince words, labeling the whole situation “insane” and even highlighting how Samantha allegedly DM’d one of his colleagues months ago, adding layers of awkwardness. Portnoy’s rant has fueled the fire, with X users piling on, one tweeting that Zach’s just using this new girl to mess with Brianna’s head. And let’s not forget the ongoing feud—Zach’s been shading Brianna on socials, posting and deleting receipts like text messages from her post-breakup, while she fires back on TikTok. In July, he shared screenshots at 6 a.m. (red flag much?), accusing her of trash-talking him, only to yank them down—classic Zach chaos.
Why do people think it’s controversial? For starters, the “clone” factor feels manipulative to many, like Zach’s not moving on but clinging to a ghost of his past relationship. Critics on X and Reddit are dragging him for it, with some calling it a sign of deeper issues, especially given his history of public meltdowns and that 2023 arrest for obstruction. Plus, there’s the timing: Zach and Brianna’s split was ugly, with accusations of emotional abuse, NDAs, and even a $12 million hush-money rumor flying around. Jumping into something new that looks so similar? It screams rebound, and not the healthy kind. Some fans are even resurfacing old tea, like whispers of Zach hitting on young women in NYC apartments, painting him as a serial dater with questionable vibes. In my book, it’s controversial because it highlights how fame amplifies personal mess—Zach’s a talented dude with hits like “Something in the Orange,” but his love life keeps overshadowing the music, and that’s a shame.
Not everyone’s hating, though. Some defenders say Samantha’s her own person, and looks shouldn’t matter—fair point, but when the resemblance is this striking, it’s hard not to side-eye. Earlier this year, in March, Zach was linked to another blonde, Hannah Duncan, but that fizzled quick, making Samantha seem like the real deal… or at least the current one. Brianna’s moved on too, spilling her side on podcasts and even gracing magazine covers as the “trashiest whore imaginable” (her words? Nah, but the haters are harsh).
At the end of the day, Zach Bryan’s love life is a rollercoaster we can’t look away from—talent mixed with turmoil, and this “clone” girlfriend saga is just the latest loop. Is it controversial? Hell yes, because it feels like a psychological thriller set to a country soundtrack. Personally, I think Zach needs to date someone wildly different to break the cycle, but hey, that’s just me. What do you think—is this creepy or coincidental? Drop your hot takes below!
