Alex Cooper, host of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, has addressed allegations that her media company Unwell is a toxic workplace and that her husband, Matt Kaplan, emotionally abuses employees. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Wednesday, Cooper attributed the criticism to double standards faced by women in the industry.
"I think if you walk the halls, there are so many people that are so happy to work at this company," Cooper said. "I think, unfortunately, being a woman in this industry is extremely difficult because you're held to a complete different standard. Whether it's a smear campaign being created for someone's narrative — whatever it be."
Allegations of Toxic Culture and Misconduct
Vanity Fair published a report earlier this month citing 40 women, many current or former Unwell employees, who described a workplace run by "mean girls" despite Cooper's feminist image. The report also alleged that Kaplan, who helps run Unwell, acts as Cooper's "puppeteer" and has called employees "stupid" or "retarded." Additionally, it claimed Kaplan made employees uncomfortable with questions about their sex lives and unwanted physical contact, including lingering hands on thighs or backs.
Attorney Bryan Freedman responded to Vanity Fair on behalf of Cooper, Kaplan, and Unwell, threatening legal action: "If the Story so much as suggests any sexual impropriety on Mr. Kaplan's part, I will make it my life's mission to ensure Vanity Fair's days are numbered."
Cooper's Response and Industry Context
Cooper told the Journal not to believe the allegations. "I will say that building a startup, there is so much growth that comes with that, and I am extremely proud of what we have built at Unwell," she said. "And I will just kind of leave it at 'don't believe everything that you read on the internet' — but I think everyone knows that at this point."
She added, "I think when you read lies about yourself ... it's hard. But I think the reason that I've had success in this industry is I have really thick skin, and I'm going to keep pushing forward."
The Vanity Fair report followed an online dispute between Cooper and rival podcaster Alix Earle, who was once signed to Unwell and had reposted a TikTok calling Cooper an "ambulance chaser."
