Kody Brown and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia‘s partnership on Special Forces ended on an awkward note.
During the Thursday, October 9, episode of the Fox series, the remaining recruits were paired up in groups for the new challenge with Brown, 56, and LaPaglia, 26, working together to help move a civilian in a simulated war zone.
A break from the “mission” allowed them to get to know each other more, with Brown asking LaPaglia, “What’s your gig?”
LaPaglia replied that she was a podcaster. “Oh and that’s all?” Brown asked before he started laughing. “That’s your qualification?”
For those unfamiliar with LaPaglia (like Brown) she hosts “BFFs” with Josh Richards and previously hosted “PlanBri Uncut” before its conclusion. LaPaglia currently has over a million Instagram followers. (Brown, for his part, has 185,000.)
Elsewhere in the episode, LaPaglia opened up about how a public breakup from country singer Zach Bryan inspired her to join Special Forces. She noted that she didn’t “like violence very much” but was determined to make it far on the show.
“I am doing the course because I have had a really tough year. I was in a very public relationship,” she recalled in a confessional. “It ended really badly. I don’t know exactly who I am and it will teach me more about myself.”
Brianna Chickenfry, Zach Bryan John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Bryan, 29, announced in October 2024 that he and LaPaglia called it quits after more than a year of dating. LaPaglia subsequently claimed she was “emotionally abused” by the musician. (Bryan, for his part, didn’t address his ex-girlfriend’s claims.)
In Thursday’s episode, LaPaglia elaborated on her alleged tumultuous relationship.
“Over the past couple of years, I wasn’t allowed to be me,” she shared. “I used to be very strong. I don’t want to give anyone power over me.”
LaPaglia was asked by Brown who she dated, to which she replied, “My ex is a super famous musician. He was awful toward me. He got famous on TikTok and thinks he is God.”
While reflecting on the romance, LaPaglia recalled ignoring wanting signs.
“I met my ex-boyfriend through Instagram DMs,” she told the cameras. “It was a very speedy moving relationship where I should have seen a lot of red flags but I was blinded by a lot of things.”
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LaPaglia elaborated on her experience once she was brought into the interrogation room.
“I think I am here just to not give up. I gave up on myself last year just mentally,” she explained. “I was in a bad relationship but it was public and I would leave my house with a smile but no one knew what was happening. I was in a bad spot.”
LaPaglia continued: “I lost sight of myself and I just didn’t want to be here anymore. It was a dark hole to climb out of.”
According to LaPaglia, she was offered “$12.9 million to sign away” her voice, adding, “He tried to silence me but I didn’t take it. I was that strong shorty making videos of what not to do and who to stay away from and I don’t know what happened. It happened to me.”
LaPaglia was able to push through and keep going on Special Forces while actor Jussie Smollett became the third person to depart. After developing a cough, the doctor ordered that Smollett not continue to participate and he was removed for his own health.
The other recruit who discussed his motivation was athlete Nick Young. After his future on Special Forces was questioned, Young, 40, broke down how his older brother’s death when he was a child affected his family.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
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