Who is Samantha Leonard? All about Zach Bryan’s new girlfriend

American country singer, songwriter, and rock musician Zach Bryan hard-launched his relationship with his new girlfriend, Samantha Leonard, via an Instagram post on October 18, 2025, marking her 28th birthday. Leonard, 28, is a postgraduate student of interior architecture, according to her LinkedIn. She is also a social media influencer.

“From bull runs to all the bullsh*t, today is your birthday, and I love you, Samantha Marie. To the only woman who can hike six miles in Chanel flats, skydive over the Alps, and catch a bigger fish than me all in the same day. Hope your day was as graceful as you are,” the caption read.

It continued, “About one of the best days’a the year, celebrating you. To a runaway one’a these days. ‘Sammy, Sammy, I really don’t think you should run with these bulls, it feels like it’ll be unsafe, I don’t want you to get hurt.’ ‘Zach, look at me, I don’t care, I’m running with these damn bulls.’ HAPPY 28TH!!!”

The post was accompanied by a carousel of images, including the couple’s cozy pose at a picnic bench, a clip of them kissing, and her solo pictures, such as one of her holding a fish and another showing her sunbathing in a bikini.

According to the Daily Mail, Zach Bryan, 29, has been dating Samantha Leonard since the summer of 2025.

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All you need to know about Zach Bryan’s new girlfriend

According to her LinkedIn, Samantha Leonard uses the pronouns she/ her. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and business from New York University in 2023. Subsequently, she took admission to UCLA, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in interior architecture and will graduate in 2026.

The California native also attended Mater Dei High School and Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach and Santa Ana, respectively. Samantha did an art residency in soft sculpture from the Textile Art Center in New York.

Over the years, Leonard has been a volunteer for OCWomen2Women and The Second Step, a member of both National Charity League, Inc. and The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, and a spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation.

Zach Bryan’s new girlfriend also has a yoga specialty certification from Yoga Alliance. On her @samathaleightonn Instagram account, she has over 27,200 followers and makes lifestyle and travel content.

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Zach Bryan's ex-girlfriend reacts to the news of his latest romance

Since images of Samantha Leonard have gone viral, fans of Zach Bryan have pointed out that she bears a close resemblance to his ex-girlfriend and podcaster, Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, 26. Responding to the same, LaPaglia shared during her Plan Bri Uncut podcast earlier this week:

“I think that is narcissism textbook 101, like, that’s what narcissists do. They just go and find another version of you to date.”

She also told her viewers that she was “flattered” even though Samantha looks like her “clone.” Brianna added that she “dyed my hair” to avoid the speculation that she and Bryan’s new girlfriend were the same person.

“His [new girlfriend] looking exactly like me is crazy nonetheless… I cannot continuously keep being compared to someone. It's exhausting. It’s crazy and it’s weird that he’s dating a new version of me, but who cares at this point?” LaPaglia stated.

Meanwhile, her co-host and Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy, called Zach Bryan a “psychopath” and accused him of building a “Brianna 2.0” in an August post on X.

Zach and Brianna met at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2023 and began dating two months later. They also walked the red carpet of last year’s Grammy Awards together. In October 2024, the country musician announced their split via Instagram.

LaPaglia, in turn, shared she was “blindsided” by the breakup and announced a social media break. She accused him of being a narcissist and emotionally abusive, and offering her a $12 million NDA.

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The American Heartbreak crooner previously dated Deb Peifer and was also married to Rose Madden for a year between 2020 and 2021.