Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper leaves UTA, eyes CAA after $500M Unwell valuation

Agency departure

Alex Cooper, host of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, is leaving talent agency UTA and is in serious talks with CAA to become her new representation, according to sources familiar with the matter. Nothing has been signed yet. Bloomberg was first to report the agency shift. UTA declined to comment, CAA declined to comment, and Cooper's team did not respond to requests for comment. UTA had represented Cooper for years and helped build and scale her company, Unwell, brokering deals that included her hosting interviews for Peacock during NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics and launching the Unwell Network, a platform for other creators and influencers. UTA's Oren Rosenbaum negotiated a SiriusXM deal for Cooper in 2024, valued at $100 million according to The Hollywood Reporter and $125 million according to Deadline. UTA also represents other top creators including MrBeast, Charli D'Amelio and Alix Earle.

WTSL investment

On August 12, Unwell announced its first outside investment from WTSL, a media, entertainment and sports investment firm launched by Patrick Whitesell after he exited Endeavor and WME. The undisclosed sum values Unwell at $500 million. Whitesell's firm, which is Silver Lake-backed, has also invested in Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions. Cooper and Kaplan, who self-funded the company targeting Gen Z women audiences, retain a majority ownership stake. Unwell, formed in 2023, says it has been profitable from day one and views the WTSL investment as growth capital. The plan is to use the funding to grow the company through acquisition, expanding its slate of podcasts, live events, and a film and TV production arm. Unwell said WTSL would bring "deep strategic expertise, industry relationships and a proven track record of supporting some of the most innovative companies and storytellers in media."

Whitesell praised the company last week.

Alex, Matt and the team have demonstrated an exceptional ability to anticipate where audiences are headed and create entertainment experiences that resonate deeply. The company's growth, audience connection and cultural relevance set it apart, and we believe Unwell is uniquely positioned to help define the present and future of media.

Workplace allegations

The agency shift and investment follow a pair of exposés alleging behind-the-scenes turmoil at Unwell. In April, Bloomberg reported that Kaplan "has earned a reputation for frequently yelling at staff members." In June, a Vanity Fair story quoted a Unwell freelancer alleging that Kaplan "creates the most toxic work environment that I've ever seen." Anonymous sources in the Vanity Fair piece also said Kaplan had questioned employees about their sex lives and commented on their physical appearance. Bloomberg and Vanity Fair both reported claims about staff turnover and uneasiness among staff. Cooper has also faced speculation about rifts with Dave Portroy and former ally Alix Earle, both represented by UTA. Earle formerly worked with Cooper but left her network, prompting speculation about a feud between the two.

Beverage brand shutdown

Bloomberg reported last week that Cooper's branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co., is shutting down later this year. The closure adds to a period of negative headlines for the podcaster. Despite the scrutiny, Cooper remains one of the most popular podcast hosts thanks to the success of "Call Her Daddy" and is now looking to leverage that success into a broader media empire, which may have prompted the agency move.