Alex Cooper Departs UTA Amidst Business Expansion and Challenges
Alex Cooper, the influential creator behind the popular podcast "Call Her Daddy," is reportedly parting ways with her talent agency, UTA. This development occurs during a transformative period for Cooper, marked by a substantial investment in her Unwell media company, which now boasts a valuation of $500 million. While her media empire is poised for significant growth, encompassing new podcasts, live events, and film/TV production, the week has also brought news of her branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co., ceasing operations. Furthermore, recent media reports have highlighted internal challenges within her company, including staff turnover and concerns regarding co-founder Matt Kaplan's behavior. Cooper's decision to seek new representation appears to be a strategic move as she navigates the complexities of expanding her brand beyond podcasting.
Alex Cooper's Strategic Shift: A Detailed Report on Her Departure from UTA and Unwell's Future
On August 16, 2026, sources close to the situation confirmed that Alex Cooper, the dynamic force behind the immensely successful "Call Her Daddy" podcast, is in the process of leaving her long-standing talent agency, UTA. This significant career move takes place as Cooper's media enterprise, Unwell, experiences both monumental growth and notable setbacks.
Just days prior, on August 12, Cooper announced a groundbreaking investment from WTSL, a firm backed by Silver Lake and led by Patrick Whitesell. This strategic infusion of capital has propelled Unwell's valuation to an impressive $500 million. The company's ambitious plans include a broad expansion of its media offerings, venturing into a diverse portfolio of podcasts, orchestrating engaging live events, and establishing a robust film and television production division, with an eye toward future acquisitions.
However, this period of expansion is not without its challenges. Concurrently, reports surfaced last week via Bloomberg indicating the impending closure of Cooper's branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co., later this year. Adding to the complexities, both Bloomberg and Vanity Fair have recently published accounts detailing internal turmoil within Unwell. These reports cite issues such as high staff turnover and growing unease among employees, particularly attributed to alleged instances of aggressive behavior from Matt Kaplan, Cooper's husband and co-founder of the company.
Despite these internal and external pressures, Alex Cooper maintains her prominent position as one of the podcasting world's most influential hosts. Her departure from UTA, where agent Oren Rosenbaum had previously brokered a lucrative $125 million deal with SiriusXM in 2024 and facilitated the launch of the Unwell podcast network in 2023, signals a strategic re-evaluation of her representation needs. It is understood that Cooper's team has been meticulously planning its future growth strategy for several months, including the critical aspect of agency representation, in light of the new funding and ambitious expansion goals. While UTA represents other prominent creators, including Alix Earle, whose past association with Cooper's network led to speculation of a rift, sources indicate that Earle and Cooper have both been with UTA for over a year, suggesting the departure is more about Cooper's evolving business needs than past interpersonal dynamics.
Alex Cooper's decision to seek new agency representation underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of building a media empire in the digital age. It highlights the intricate balance between rapid expansion, strategic business decisions, and navigating the complexities of corporate culture and public perception. As Cooper embarks on this new chapter, the industry will keenly observe how her choice of representation will further shape the trajectory of her ambitious Unwell media company.
