Sophia Michaels
If you haven’t heard of Alex Cooper, you might be missing out. She hosts “Call Her Daddy,” a leading global podcast that captivates listeners with intimate celebrity interviews. From Hailey Bieber to Vice President Kamala Harris, Cooper excels in encouraging guests to share openly. While her show initially focused on sex-related topics, she has shifted towards promoting female empowerment, admitting to the LA Times, “I was getting a little bit bored” and desired more engaging discussions.
The podcast remains a hit, especially after securing a $60 million Spotify distribution deal through 2024, followed by a $125 million agreement with SiriusXM. This solidifies her ambition to create a leading brand centered on female empowerment and sexuality. While her content may not seem strange to some, it highlights her ability to connect on topics typically avoided in public discourse. Cooper also possesses some peculiar traits and anecdotes that contribute to her rise as a millionaire podcast sensation.
Her parents embrace her candid conversations
For many, discussing sexual history in front of parents would be daunting, but not for Alex Cooper. She shared with the “Today” show: “[My parents] have always been my number one supporters.” Her mom listens to every episode while sipping coffee and advises her dad on which ones to skip based on their intimate nature. Cooper humorously noted her mother’s response to her revealing stories: “You haven’t taught me one new thing.”
Cooper mentioned that many moms reach out as fans after discovering the show through their daughters, highlighting a generational shift towards openness about personal topics. She believes it’s beneficial for parents to engage with their children’s interests.
From marriage skeptic to newlywed
When “Call Her Daddy” started, Cooper was single and open to dating, but she has since tied the knot. In 2024, she married Matt Kaplan, a producer, in Mexico. They first connected via Zoom during the pandemic, organized by her agent. Cooper recounted her initial impression of Kaplan, finding him very attractive despite being surrounded by others on the call. On her show, she affectionately referred to him as “Mr. Sexy Zoom Man” before revealing his identity in 2023.
Cooper once harbored doubts about marriage, preferring the idea of a “life partner.” Nonetheless, witnessing her parents’ 40-year marriage inspired her to consider marriage more seriously.
Her podcast journey wasn’t always solitary
Many people associate “Call Her Daddy” solely with Alex Cooper hosting, often with a guest opposite her in cozy chairs. However, things were different in the earlier days. Alex had a co-host named Sofia Franklyn from 2018 until 2020; their show went on hold during the pandemic. At that time, the podcast was under Barstool Sports. Unknown to Cooper, Franklyn’s boyfriend, Peter Nelson, was looking for potential buyers for the show. When this was revealed, Barstool’s Dave Portnoy quickly extended a lucrative new offer to both Cooper and Franklyn. While Cooper accepted, Franklyn declined due to allegiance to her boyfriend’s ambitions for the show’s future.
Cooper eventually had a private meeting with Portnoy to discuss the new offer, which Franklyn was not informed about. Compounding the situation, Cooper was reportedly earning more than Franklyn, who constantly sought a pay raise. Ultimately, Cooper felt their partnership was unworkable, and she decided to remain with Barstool, leading to her solo version of the show. Franklyn launched her own podcast, “Sofia with an F.” This complicated breakup played a significant role in shaping Cooper and the show’s current acclaim.
