Brianna “Chicken Fry” LaPaglia’s Journey on Special Forces

Brianna “Chicken Fry” LaPaglia has shown remarkable strength, especially after rejecting a $12.9 million non-disclosure agreement from her ex-boyfriend, Zach Bryan. In the season 4 finale of Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test, which aired recently, the remaining recruits faced intense interrogation. While Kody Brown and Andrew East didn’t make it through that challenge, LaPaglia, Gia Giudice, and Shawn Johnson East were left. However, with just ten minutes remaining in the selection period, LaPaglia was ultimately eliminated.

Reflecting on her experience, she expressed regret and pride: “I can’t sleep at night thinking about it. I’m very disappointed, but I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. In my head, it’s a victory.”

LaPaglia stood out during the competition—she was not just resilient but also unflinchingly honest. For instance, she pointed out to Brown that he needed to improve his hygiene since he wasn’t using deodorant at first. “Someone had to do it, but it was out of love,” she recounted. “It was terrible. We were in the car, and I said, ‘Cody, why don’t you have deodorant? You brought vitamins but not deodorant?’ He laughed. He was very athletic.”

In a recent interview, LaPaglia candidly discussed her emotional struggles following the finale and some of the difficult experiences during filming.

Interviewer: I was glad to see you as a finalist. What made you give up with just ten minutes left? Do you wish you’d pushed harder?

LaPaglia: Honestly, I still think about it at night. I’m very disappointed, but I’m proud of how far I made it. Ten minutes left. I did my exit interview right at the gate and heard the end of the interview and thought, “Really? I was that close.” But, yeah, it stung.

Interviewer: The DS were watching your last moments closely, especially your military background. How did that feel?

LaPaglia: I know, right? It felt like I let them down. You form a bond, and you want them to be proud of you. But, honestly, I think they were satisfied with my performance.

Interviewer: Given your openness about your previous relationship, have you heard from him since filming?

LaPaglia: No, nothing yet.

Interviewer: When you turned down the NDA, I knew you’d stick to your guns. What was the toughest part of that decision and the challenges on Special Forces?

LaPaglia: Special Forces was incredibly tough—probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Each day presented new challenges, and the experience was mentally draining. The only real way to get that kind of insight is by going through military training. This was as close as it gets.

Interviewer: Do you think you’re reaching a point where you’re tired of talking about your ex?

LaPaglia: Yeah, I mean, I mostly respond to questions when asked, and there have been a lot.

Interviewer: When you first joined, were there any surprises among the cast?

LaPaglia: I was excited to see Mark Estes. And Shawn Johnson? She was my hero growing up. Just amazing to be around.

Interviewer: What surprising lessons did you learn during this process?

LaPaglia: Shawn Johnson is truly the strongest person I’ve encountered. She remained grounded, even in tense situations. And Gia really impressed me, too—she helped me through so much.

Interviewer: After everything, did it take time to readjust to normal life?

LaPaglia: Yeah, as soon as I got home, I scheduled a psychiatrist visit. It was challenging to navigate regular interactions again. The first 36 hours were really tough, given the psychological pressure we were under. For a while, I was so claustrophobic after my tunnel challenge that I found it hard to use the elevator in my building. I didn’t reach out to my psychiatrist but could’ve used some support.

Interviewer: When you faced the chain challenge, what kept you in the game?

LaPaglia: That one was brutal! I was so close to quitting. I fought hard and was proud of what I went through, whether it was in the water or other tough workouts. As close as I was to giving up, I knew I’d regret not finishing.

Interviewer: Did you ever feel out of your depth with the challenges?

LaPaglia: Girl, I was exhausted. That chain and bag felt like they weighed more than me. We definitely need better weight adjustments for girls.

Interviewer: Did any particular DS stand out to you during the course?

LaPaglia: For sure. Each one had their way of connecting, but Billy really motivated me. I couldn’t have done it without him. They all became like father figures.

Interviewer: After the show, did you receive messages from the DS?

LaPaglia: Yes! They all reached out to congratulate me. It felt strangely surreal, realizing they’re humans, too, beneath that tough exterior.

Interviewer: What did you think about Cody’s comments regarding his deodorant situation?

LaPaglia: Someone had to bring it up! I spent a lot of time with Cody; we paired up for many challenges. I think it was helpful for him, and I certainly wanted us all to succeed.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test Season 4 is currently available for streaming on Hulu.