Katherine Goguen/Sports Illustrated; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia says DMs "popped off" after herSports Illustrated Swimsuitphotos dropped for the first time earlier this year Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively on the red carpet at the 2025Sports Illustrated Swimsuitlaunch party in New York City last week, she said tons of potential suiters took to her DMs after her sexy, bikini-clad cover story went live Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPagliasays herSports Illustrated Swimsuitdigital cover was so popular that it made lots of fans — and interested suiters — take to her DMs to compliment her. Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively on the red carpet at the2025Sports Illustrated Swimsuitlaunch party in New York City on Thursday, May 15, the 25-year-old podcaster opened up about herdigital coverthat spawned tons of DMs. "They were popping off. They're fine," she joked, before opening up about her dating life. "I really genuinely enjoy being single," LaPaglia added. "I think there's a lot of girls that can relate and a lot of guys that can relate that are relationship people. I was in a relationship since I was 16 until 25. Being single for the first time ever is frigging awesome. I can order Taco Bell whenever, I can do whatever I want to do. I can go out, I can hang out with my friends. It's really fun. I feel like I'm figuring out who I am." John Nacion/Variety via Getty Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. LaPaglia's confirmation that she's single comessix months after her splitfrom musicianZach Bryanin October 2024. She's been vocal about how the relationship has impacted her emotionally and physically in the months that followed. Now, she's "in the era of discovering," the content creator told PEOPLE. "I feel like I'm in that time zone where it's like discover who you are, try new things and also leave a lot of negative things in the past," she explained. "So I'm just trying to figure out who the hell I am — and it's fun!" "It shouldn't be discouraging," LaPaglia added. I feel like we get to a certain age and we're like, 'Oh my gosh, there should be time marks and things for what we should do.' I think there's no time limit, and I'm just trying to figure it out." For the Barstool star, this summer will have a lot more going on outside of dating. "I think this summer is friendship summer," she shared. "I think for the past couple of years I took for granted my family and my friends, and this year I just want to worry about my best friends and just have fun." LaPaglia made her debut inSports Illustrated Swimsuitin January this year. The social media star — who made a name for herself as "Brianna Chickenfry" online — was photographed by Katherine Goguen in La Quinta, Calif., late last year. She wears a number of teeny-tiny swimsuits in her debut for the outlet, posing all over the beach with her tattoos on display and her hair in soft waves. She toldSports Illustrated Swimsuitearlier this year that for 2025, she's looking forward to focusing more on podcasts and less on TikTok and influencer life, especially with the looming ban. She's ready to see TikTok go, anyway. "How I'm feeling right now is I'm like, pop a bottle of champagne!" she joked to the outlet. "Let's get rid of this horrible, hateful app." Read the original article onPeople
