Zach Bryan Confirms Marriage to Samantha Leonard on Instagram

Posted on by admin

Zach Bryan has confirmed his marriage to Samantha Leonard.

Bryan, 29, took to Instagram on Wednesday, December 31, and shared a black-and-white photo of him carrying Leonard, 28, as she sported a strapless white bridal gown with a feathery hem. The happy couple smiled as Leonard held a wine glass.

“Tougher than the rest,” he captioned his post, which also included a video of him performing the Bruce Springsteen song with the same name at their wedding reception.

Earlier Wednesday, the country star was spotted holding Leonard in his arms after exchanging vows in Spain, multiple outlets reported. A video posted via Instagram showed the newlyweds laughing as they hopped into a convertible and drove off into the proverbial sunset. 

Singer Zach Bryan’s Dating History

The day before the wedding, Bryan shared a photo of him with his guy friends, adding a caption that cited lyrics from the Black Eyes Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.” On December 29, Bryan posted a clip of him crooning a heartfelt song on the guitar that seemingly referenced his upcoming nuptials.

“I made a woman fall in love and made our young hearts cry,” he sang. “I’m on an aeroplane bound to Spain tonight.”

On Wednesday, Leonard posted a clip via her Instagram Stories in which she and Bryan touched down on an airplane.

The couple were first linked in August. That October, Bryan paid tribute to his new love via Instagram, writing, “From bull runs to all the bulls***, 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.”

Brianna Chickenfry Says Zach Bryan Picked Out an Engagement Ring for Her 

Sparks flew between Bryan and Leonard one year after his not-so-amicable split with Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, whom he dated from the summer of 2023 up to fall 2024. 

“Brianna and me [sic] have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that, I’ll always thank her,” Bryan said in a statement in October 2024. “I’ve had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be.”

LaPaglia, 26, has said that the breakup blindsided her and accused Bryan of being emotionally abusive. (Us Weekly reached out for comment at the time. Bryan hasn’t responded to the allegations.)

LaPaglia’s fans, meanwhile, have noted the physical resemblance between her and Leonard.

“Next question is [one] that I got a million times. ‘What do you think about Zach’s girlfriend looking exactly like you?’” LaPaglia said during an October episode of her “Plan Bri Uncut” podcast. “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 continued, “People are like, ‘Are you creeped out? Are you mad? Are you flattered?’ I am flattered to be honest. I dyed my hair so that people [would] stop sending me every single picture that he posts of her, and I blocked him. I don’t wanna see this [and] I don’t want to indulge in anything that he does.”

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Keith Urban Performs at NYE Bash in Nashville Amid Nicole Kidman Divorce

Posted on by admin

Keith Urban undoubtedly had a difficult year, but he went out on a high note on New Year’s Eve.

The country singer, 58, performed upbeat renditions of his song “Straight Line” and New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” during New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash on Wednesday, December 31. Urban sported a black shirt and dark jeans while he crooned lyrics from “Straight Line” such as, “I ain’t buyin’ this life’s gotta be such a mother / ‘Cause we kinda got it all when we got each other / You and me used to be like a year-round summer / Let’s go back / Oh, hit the gas.”

The live New Year’s Eve special — which aired on CBS and Paramount+ — was hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer and country music star Hardy and featured additional performances by Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, Brooks and Dunn, Dwight Yoakam and more.

Urban’s New Year’s Eve outing comes three months after his split from estranged wife Nicole Kidman made headlines in September. One day after the news broke, she filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation. The pair were married for nearly 20 years and share daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith, 15.

All the Clues Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Were Heading Toward a Split

“They had been quietly separated for a while now but needed time to figure out if they were going to actually divorce,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in October. “She had faith they could work it out.”

According to the insider, Urban was the one who pulled the plug on his marriage to Kidman, 58.

“This wasn’t Nicole’s decision, and she is devastated,” the source continued. “Her trust was lost, and it was too far gone. Nicole had been trying to get them to work on their marriage and did not want this to get out to the public. She didn’t tell many friends what was really going on with them and was holding this in for months.”

While Urban and Kidman once appeared to be the ideal A-list couple, they were actually spending “a lot of time apart due to work commitments” and living “separate lives” behind the scenes.

“Nicole and Keith were not on the same page,” the insider told Us. “Rumors around town have been circling that they were living apart, were focused on their own projects and that Keith had moved on. They are moving in two different directions, and their worlds are not overlapping as much as they once did. The distance between them had grown more obvious recently.”

Inside Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s Divorce: Custody, Reason for Split

Later in October, a source revealed that Kidman was in a “good headspace” amid her divorce from Urban, but “the hardest part” of the situation was “navigating the dynamic with their daughters.”

“The last thing Nicole wanted was a broken family,” the insider told Us, adding that Kidman “raised her daughters to be strong and is leading by example for them.”

As a new single mom, Kidman planned to “focus on creating new traditions with her daughters and keeping their home life as steady and loving as possible.”

Urban, for his part, “has moved on and has been open with Nicole about where he stands,” a source told Us in October, noting that their divorce was a “long time coming.”

Per the insider, “The two had grown apart quietly over time, and by the end, the decision to separate was more about acceptance than surprise.”

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper Detail Ryan Seacrest Texts on New Year’s Eve

Posted on by admin

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper closed out 2025 and welcomed 2026 with their annual CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live special.

The Bravo star, 57, and the journalist, 58, cohosted the broadcast from New York City’s Times Square for the ninth consecutive year on Wednesday, December 31.

“Bottoms up: This is tequila!” Cohen declared before doing a shot with Cooper to open the show. Afterward, the cohosts spoke about 2025 highlights, including a trip to Disneyland with their kids and watching Cher perform during an event for Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary.

“Cher called me a couple weeks ago,” Cooper said, to which Cohen replied, “Did she ask for me?”

CNN’s ‘New Year’s Eve Live’: Most Controversial Moments Through the Years

Cooper jokingly recalled Cher saying of Cohen, “How’s that troublemaker?”

The cohosts also mentioned Ryan Seacrest, who hosts Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC.

“Did Ryan call you … or text you today?” Cooper asked Cohen, who responded, “He texted me, like, yesterday or the day before.”

Cooper said that Seacrest had texted him that morning. In past years, he noted, Seacrest had sent him gifts.

Anderson Cooper Loses It Over Ralph Fiennes’ Take on Demure, Mindful Meme

“Like, a photo of himself?” Cohen asked.

“No,” Cooper said, adding that Seacrest had previously sent him tequila.

The longtime pals also discussed the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, with Cohen telling Cooper, “Of the two of us, you’re Ilya and I’m Shane.”

“What?!” Cooper replied.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper Return to Ripping Shots on CNN NYE Special

In addition to Cohen and Cooper’s signature banter, CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live featured performances by Robyn, Shakira, Brandy and Monica, Bryan Adams, Florence + The Machine, Raye, Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle and Michelle Williams and special appearances by Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan and Sarah Sherman.

Since Cohen joined the broadcast as Cooper’s cohost in 2017, the CNN New Year’s Eve special has consistently made headlines, perhaps most notoriously when the network banned the duo from drinking after Cohen shaded then-New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and Seacrest during the 2021-2022 show.

“Watching Mayor de Blasio do his victory lap dance after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York — the only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been,” Cohen said at the time. “So sayonara, sucka. 2022! It’s a new year because guess what? I have a feeling I’m gonna be standing right here next year, and you know who I’m not going to be looking at dancing as the city comes apart? You!”

Cohen was similarly critical of the Seacrest-hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Anderson Cooper Loses It Over Ralph Fiennes’ Take on Demure, Mindful Meme

“If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing. … I’m sorry but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing,” he quipped. “We were doused with confetti from fake Journey on ABC. If it’s not Steve Perry, it doesn’t count! You get it? It’s not Journey! It’s propaganda! It’s propaganda! It’s not Journey! It’s not Journey! No, that was not Journey. Steve Perry is Journey.”

Cohen later apologized to Seacrest, 51, and the two made amends. Cohen and Cooper were still banned from drinking during the 2022-2023 broadcast, but their tequila shots tradition returned the following year.

Prior to the 2025-2026 show, Cooper and Cohen reflected on their favorite memories from their years of cohosting the New Year’s Eve special.

“We can’t talk about New Year’s Eve without talking about your many, many occasions of being in a puddle of giggles,” Cohen told Cooper in a CNN video earlier this month. “I say to people my job is to make you laugh on New Year’s because people love to hear you laugh. And I think God bless you for the work you do all year long. You’re keeping ‘em honest right here on CNN, and this is your time and all of our time to let loose and enjoy.”

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Zach Bryan Marries Girlfriend Samantha Leonard, Check Out Video

Posted on by admin

Zach Bryan is a married man! The country singer and songwriter said “I do” just months after confirming his relationship with his now-bride, Samantha Leonard. The wedding went down in San Sebastian, Spain … the happy newlyweds jumped into a…

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Vanessa Bryant Reacts to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Merch in ‘Eras’ Doc

Posted on by admin

Vanessa Bryant is reacting to Taylor Swift subtly supporting Kobe Bryant and her family in her End of an Era docuseries.

“What a gift,” Vanessa, 43, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, December 30, sharing a screenshot from End of an Era. “We love you @taylorswift 💙!!!!!!”

As Swift, 36, practiced an acoustic section mashup ahead of one of her last Eras Tour concerts in Canada, she was dressed in a blue Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation sweatshirt. (Kobe’s widow founded the organization after her husband and daughter Gianna tragically died in a 2020 helicopter crash, along with six other people.)

In a follow-up slide, Vanessa posted another pic of Swift wearing her Mamba merch and added a “We [heart] you” sticker, alongside one of an illustrated pair of hands making a heart like Swift’s Fearless symbol.

Vanessa Bryant Reacts to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Quote on Her Necklace

Swift has a long history with the Bryant family, starting in 2015 when she enlisted Kobe to join her onstage during the Los Angeles stop on her 1989 Tour. Kobe even presented the pop star with a banner honoring her record 16 sold-out shows at the same venue where his Lakers played home games.

Kobe died at age 41 five years later in a helicopter crash alongside 13-year-old daughter Gianna. (Kobe and Vanessa also shared daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri.)

“My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through,” Swift tweeted in 2020 after the NBA icon’s death. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.”

Swift remained close to Vanessa and her family in the years since Kobe and Gianna’s deaths. When the Bryants attended Swift’s Eras show in L.A. in August 2023, Bianka received the “22” hat.

Vanessa Bryant Responds to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Bryant Merch in Eras Tour Docuseries
Taylor Swift Courtesy of Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

“Every person in that audience, hopefully, is being shaped positively in some way by something that they see or something that they hear,” Swift explained of the tradition in her Disney+ docuseries. “The ‘22’ moment stems from a hat that I wore on the Red Tour, so I wanted to really bring back that moment of just kinda, like, [having] a moment with a fan where I actually get close with them.”

While performing “22,” Swift sashayed down her catwalk to give her Red-inspired fedora to a waiting concertgoer.

Taylor Swift’s Sweetest ‘22’ Hat Moments on ‘The Eras Tour’ So Far

“What’s so interesting about that moment every night is I never know what kid I’m gonna meet,” the Grammy winner said. “I’ve got people in the audience, scouring the crowd for the first couple of eras, trying to find a kid who knows every single word to the songs and having the time of their lives at this show.”

According to Swift, the lucky child chosen is “basically a representative of every kid in that crowd.”

“It could be, like, a little kid that gets really shy when all of a sudden they’re seeing 60,000 people for the first time or, it could be, there are kids that bloom under the bright lights and they’re just, like, ‘I’m a pop star now.’ It’s always wild to be in this moment with this person that I’ve never met before, this little kid, and everything’s going on around us and somehow we’re able to just have this moment be completely between us.”

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era is now streaming on Disney+.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post

Malawi referees earn Global vote of confidence ahead of 2026 Season

Posted on by admin

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-FIFA’s confirmation of Malawi’s international referees for the 2026 season has been received as a major boost for the country’s match officials, highlighting growing trust in local refereeing standards.

A total of 17 Malawian officials have been cleared to officiate international assignments in 2026, reflecting Malawi’s continued presence on the global football stage under FIFA’s watch.

The approved contingent is made up of six centre referees, nine assistant referees and two beach soccer referees, demonstrating balanced representation across different officiating roles.

One of the key highlights of the list is the inclusion of Emily Chathamthumba, who steps in following the retirement of experienced referee Bernadetta Kuyimbira, marking a generational transition in women’s refereeing.

Rose Zimba has also reclaimed her place on the FIFA International Referees List, signaling a successful return after meeting FIFA’s stringent reassessment criteria.

In the area of match technology, Eness Gumbo remains Malawi’s sole Video Assistant Referee (VAR), continuing to carry the responsibility of representing the country in this highly specialized role.

Malawi’s footprint in beach soccer has also been maintained, with Mathews Ngwira and Solomon Siliwonde approved to officiate in the discipline at international level.

According to FIFA regulations, all Member Associations are required to submit annual nominations for referees, either for renewal or new inclusion, a process coordinated locally by the FAM Referees Committee.

The committee conducts detailed internal assessments to ensure nominees comply with FIFA requirements, including medical clearance, fitness tests and performance evaluations.

Once the nominations are forwarded, FIFA retains full authority to approve or reject any official who does not meet its global standards, underscoring the competitiveness of international refereeing.

Successful referees are permitted to officiate international fixtures and wear the prestigious FIFA badge throughout the 2026 calendar year, although the badge remains FIFA property and is subject to annual review.

Commenting on the development, sports analyst Ibrahim Phiri described the announcement as encouraging for Malawian referees but stressed that professionalism and consistency will be key if FIFA’s confidence is to be sustained.

Discover more from The Maravi Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

The Maravi Post