The Rise of a Media Powerhouse

Alex Cooper has transformed from a college soccer player into one of the most influential content creators of her generation, building a multimedia empire around her flagship podcast "Call Her Daddy." ^[1] Since launching the show in 2018 with co-host Sofia Franklyn, Cooper has evolved from discussing relationship advice and sex-positive topics to interviewing A-list celebrities and political figures, establishing herself as what Rolling Stone has dubbed "Gen Z's Barbara Walters." ^[2] The podcast initially gained rapid traction, with downloads rising from 12,000 to 2 million in just two months after its launch. ^[3] What started as candid conversations between roommates about dating and relationships quickly became a cultural phenomenon that resonated with young women seeking unfiltered discussions about topics often considered taboo.

Building a Digital Empire

Cooper's business acumen became evident through her strategic platform moves and deal negotiations. After a highly publicized dispute with Barstool Sports in 2020 that resulted in Franklyn's departure, Cooper negotiated her way to continue the podcast independently. ^[4] In 2021, she secured a groundbreaking three-year exclusive deal with Spotify worth $60 million, making it the largest deal for a woman-led podcast at the time. ^[5] Her latest achievement came in August 2024 when Cooper signed a $125 million multi-year agreement with SiriusXM, more than doubling her previous deal value. ^[6] The agreement gives SiriusXM exclusive advertising and distribution rights to "Call Her Daddy" and her entire Unwell Network, which includes podcasts featuring other Gen Z influencers like Alix Earle and Madeline Argy. ^[7]

Content Evolution and Celebrity Interviews

"Call Her Daddy" has undergone a significant transformation from its early days of relationship advice to become a platform for high-profile celebrity interviews. Cooper has welcomed guests ranging from pop culture icons like Miley Cyrus and Hailey Bieber to political figures including Vice President Kamala Harris. ^[8] Her interview with Harris in October 2024 particularly showcased Cooper's evolution as an interviewer, focusing on women's rights and political topics while maintaining her signature conversational style. ^[9] Recent episodes have featured major celebrities sharing intimate details about their personal lives, with notable interviews including Catherine Paiz discussing her divorce and Chappell Roan opening up about her career and relationships. ^[10] ^[11] These high-profile conversations have helped establish Cooper as a trusted interviewer who can extract candid responses from guests who might otherwise remain guarded.

Audience and Platform Reach

"Call Her Daddy" consistently ranks as Spotify's second-biggest podcast, trailing only "The Joe Rogan Experience," and holds the top position among podcasts for women listeners. ^[12] The show's audience is predominantly young and female, with 70% of listeners identifying as women and 76% under 35 years old. ^[13] Cooper's YouTube presence has experienced significant growth, with her channel gaining 1.44 million subscribers and generating millions of views per episode. ^[14] Her YouTube viewership has grown 160% since expanding video content beyond Spotify's exclusivity, with episodes becoming the #1 trending videos when new content drops. ^[15] On Instagram, Cooper maintains 3.3 million followers with a strong engagement rate of 9.32%, significantly above platform averages. ^[16] Her social media strategy balances professional milestones with personal moments, creating content that resonates with her audience while maintaining authenticity.

Business Ventures and Network Expansion

In 2023, Cooper launched The Unwell Network alongside her husband Matt Kaplan, creating a production company focused on Gen Z audiences. ^[17] The network has signed development deals with prominent influencers and creators, expanding Cooper's influence beyond her own content creation into media production and talent development. Cooper and Kaplan also established Trending, a media company that serves as the parent organization for both "Call Her Daddy" and Kaplan's Ace Entertainment. ^[18] This strategic business structure positions Cooper not just as a content creator but as a media entrepreneur building a comprehensive entertainment empire.

Cultural Impact and Recognition

Cooper's influence extends beyond podcasting into mainstream media and cultural conversations. NBC partnered with her for the 2024 Paris Olympics coverage, creating "Watch with Alex Cooper" to attract younger audiences to Olympic programming. ^[19] This collaboration demonstrated her crossover appeal and ability to engage audiences across different content formats. Forbes recognized Cooper's success by including her on their Top Creators list in 2024, with estimated earnings of $20 million that year. ²⁰ Her financial success reflects not just her content creation abilities but her strategic business decisions and brand-building expertise. The podcaster's journey is now being documented in a two-part Hulu docuseries titled "Call Her Alex," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025. ²¹ The documentary provides insight into Cooper's evolution from college athlete to media mogul, including previously undisclosed personal challenges that shaped her career trajectory.