Latest news with #CallHerAlex
Buzz Feed
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Alex Cooper Documentary: 20 Surprising Revelations
Even if you're not part of the Daddy Gang, you've probably heard of Alex Cooper and her wildly popular podcast, Call Her Daddy. Breaking out to massive success thanks to her honest, no-holds-barred takes on sex, dating, and relationships, Alex has since taken the podcast's popularity into groundbreaking deals with Spotify and, most recently, SiriusXM. But this time, in the Hulu docuseries Call Her Alex, the cameras and the questions turn toward the podcaster herself as she shares surprising revelations about her childhood, her past traumas, and her path to success. Since childhood, Alex was no stranger to cameras. Her father, Bryan Cooper, was a sports producer for the Philadelphia Flyers. His career, which was not a typical "9-5", was a "normalization," of what Alex thought was the most "incredible, magical" job. "I was enamored with that world," she said. Growing up, Alex didn't have trouble making friends with girls but faced difficulty with the boys. "I was so scared of boys because of the way they treated me," she said. They would comment with insults like, "You look like a skeleton," or that her legs looked "frail." She recalled all she wanted at that time was for them to like her and to feel "wanted" and "desired." She's naturally a red-head. Her hair color would also incite bullying from the kids at school. Unlike school, her home life was a happy one. "I had this really healthy home life," Alex said. "When I was home, I was Alex." As the youngest of four siblings, she was the "loudest one." She never told her family about being bullied because she was too embarrassed. At home, in the safety of her family's basement, she would spend her time making content. She would make videos with friends and even set up a green screen. Kristen Gatti, a childhood friend who made videos with her, shared in the series that they even recreated Devil Wears Prada word for word. Alex had even taught herself Adobe Premiere at "under 10 years old," said her brother, Grant Cooper. In the safety of the basement, she had full control over the worlds she was creating. It was a place she said she felt "100% myself." Another childhood passion of Alex's was sports. "Playing sports and making videos in the basement, those were the two things I really loved," she said. "I loved being an athlete," said Alex. "It truly allowed me to lean into everything that I liked about myself — being competitive, being determined, having grit." Her long-time passion for soccer even led to a full tuition scholarship to Boston University, an NCAA Division I school. "I felt this enormous privilege that I was able to carry on and do this." It was an exciting time and a new chapter for Alex. However, in her sophomore year, Alex claims that her coach, Nancy Feldman, started paying "extra attention" to her in a way that she felt was "confusing." The coach, from Alex's perspective, seemed too concerned about Alex's personal life — about who she was dating, making comments about her body, and wanting to be alone with her, Alex alleged. When Alex was dropped off at practice by a guy she was seeing, Coach Feldman allegedly asked if she had sex and warned her about sleeping off-campus, which Alex said in the docuseries that her teammates were sleeping off campus too. According to Alex, the coach warned her if she didn't toe the line, that there would be "consequences." Other allegations include a film session, where the team would review playing clips and the coach would comment on Alex's appearance instead of her performance, said Cooper and Alex Schlobohm, a friend and former teammate. Alex S. said, "Whatever reason, every minute that Alex played was highlighted during that film session. It was all based off of her appearance, whereas I felt like when she made comments about other players, it was about their performance." Alex S. was then allegedly kicked off the team by the coach without any reason. According to Alex, the next day, the coach said, 'You see what I just did to your friend? You're not gonna live with her. You're gonna live with who I want you to live with, and you will not be seeing her anymore.' Alex and her parents decided to take it up with the school officials. They allegedly approached the Dean of Athletics with a list of incidents, which they now believed constituted sexual harassment, that Alex's mom had logged since freshman year. But, according to Alex, instead of reviewing the allegations, the school officials asked what Alex wanted from the situation. There would be no conversation about an investigation, the firing of Coach Feldman, or even a reading of the alleged incidents. After that, Alex quit the team. "I'm done. I don't ever want to see this woman again," she had said, even though all she had wanted to do was finish her senior year playing the sport that she loved. Both Alex S. and Alex were able to keep their scholarships. After graduating from Boston University, where she studied film and television, she moved to New York to pursue a career in film and TV. But she faced difficulty in getting her foot in the door. This led to her starting a YouTube channel, where she put on "creative, weird, fun vlog skits." When she started her podcasting journey, Alex said she experienced "low moments" and "self-doubt," especially when it came to judgment about the podcast's sexual content. "Extended family members thought I was so fucking crazy. Relationships ended in my family because my parents had to stick up for me and say like, 'Oh, she hasn't lost her mind, I promise.'" The infamous podcast name, Call Her Daddy, started from a hoodie she bought in college that said "DADDY" on it. Alex's husband, Matt Kaplan, is a film and TV producer who she once nicknamed "Mr. Sexy Zoom Man" when they first started dating. According to Alex's mom, he is Alex's first "real" relationship. Alex said that the bullying she experienced led her to think that she would never get married or have kids. She also thought marriage would threaten her independence, but her views changed with Matt. Friendship is very important to Alex. Lauren McMullen, who was part of the childhood trio Alex used to make videos with, has been working behind the scenes as a producer for Call Her Daddy. "I can't imagine doing it without her," said Alex. "It's like this crazy synergy that we have together. We'll just be bouncing off each other talking a mile a minute. It just feels so cozy," said Lauren. "I think that's what translates, that it doesn't feel like this corporate sterile washed-down thing. It feels like people who actually really care about this." On Alex's growth and why the podcast resonates with millions of listeners, Lauren said, "She could have really used an Alex Cooper back when she was in middle school and high school, and she is now that voice to people who could be her." Have you watched Call Her Alex on Hulu yet? Let us know in the comments.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Sofia Franklyn Compares Herself To Scooter Braun
Former Call Her Daddy host Sofia Franklyn just compared her departure from the podcast to one of the biggest music industry feuds, and it's a rather bold statement. Sofia hosted the Call Her Daddy podcast alongside her roommate, Alex Cooper, from 2018 to 2020. Today, Sofia is the host of her own hit podcast, Sofia with an F. In her new Hulu docuseries Call Her Alex, Alex explained that she and Sofia signed a three-year contract and a "70 grand" deal with Barstool Sports at the beginning of their podcast together. When the popularity of Call Her Daddy skyrocketed, the co-hosts renegotiated their pay in 2020. In the series, Alex said Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy told them, "If you stay at Barstool for one more year, you can own Call Her Daddy."According to the series, Sofia didn't want to take the new deal and decided to leave the podcast, to which Alex said, "I realized the 'Daddy Gang' was bigger than both of us," and believes she made the correct decision. Speaking of her dynamic with Sofia, Alex also said in the docuseries, "It was the classic, 'You think you see something online and people genuinely believe you're like sisters, but our relationship was so awful.'" On June 16, Sofia appeared on the Trading Secrets podcast with Bachelor alum Jason Tartick to explain her side of the exit from Call Her Daddy, and that's when she compared it to the drama between Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun. Sofia has remained relatively quiet about her exit from the podcast. Now, she finally explained that she made this decision out of fear of "looking crazy" if she was honest about her fallout with Alex. However, she could relate to how people were "villainized" in the situation between Taylor and Scooter. In 2019, Scooter acquired Taylor Swift's catalog, which ignited a very public feud between the two, with Scooter receiving a lot of backlash. Taylor went on to re-record and release four studio albums. In May 2025, Taylor announced that she had finally bought back her music catalog. Sofia told Jason that Scooter is a dream podcast guest based on what he experienced during the feud over Taylor's masters. "When I saw the Taylor Swift stuff and looked into it, he looked like a horrible human being," Sofia said. "Then in hindsight, when I was really looking at the details, it's like, well ... he bought something legally ... He was so villainized." What makes Sofia's comparison a miss, in my opinion, is that Scooter and Taylor's feud goes beyond his purchase of the label Big Machine Records, which included Taylor's music, and the subsequent sale to another company. Scooter was Kanye West's (now Ye) manager during his 2016 beef with Taylor, and she has apparently considered him her nemesis for awhile. Their feud even resulted in Taylor being labeled a "snake" and blasted on social media. Scooter was even pictured in a screenshot from a FaceTime call with Ye and Justin Bieber with the caption: "Taylor swift what up." Scooter's proximity to Taylor's situation with Kanye over the release of his controversial song "Famous" and even the footage Kim Kardashian released later in an attempt to discredit the "Karma" singer, it's no surprise she wasn't a fan of her music catalog being even referenced that photo of Scooter, Justin, and Ye, claiming she received "incessant, manipulative bullying" from Scooter, like "when Kim Kardashian orchestrated an illegally recorded snippet of a phone call to be leaked and then Scooter got his two clients together to bully me online about it." Perhaps the split of the Call Her Daddy hosts was as toxic as the Taylor and Scooter drama that lasted over many years and involved several high-profile celebrities with the internet fandoms blowing it out of proportion — but I personally would never want to compare myself to that.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Boston University breaks silence after Alex Cooper accuses former soccer coach of sexual harassment
Boston University has issued a statement after Alex Cooper alleged that her former soccer coach at the college had sexually harassed her. The 'Call Her Daddy' podcast host, 30, made the startling allegations in a Hulu documentary that aired last week, saying she endured three years of escalating sexual harassment at the hands of former head coach Nancy Feldman. In response, the university told The Post it has a 'zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.' 'We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office,' it said in a statement. 'We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.' Cooper's revelation in the new Hulu doc, 'Call Her Alex,' came 10 years after she claimed to have suffered through the ordeal. 'I felt a lot of anger — anger at my coach, anger at my school, and anger at the system that allowed this to happen,' the podcast host said in the documentary. 'I don't think anyone could've prepared me for the lasting effects that came from this experience. She turned something that I loved so much into something extremely painful.' Feldman coached BU's women's soccer team for 22 years before she retired in 2022, but Cooper said the former coach started to 'fixate on me way more than any other teammate of mine' during her sophomore season. Cooper was a member of the Terriers women's soccer program from 2013-'15. During her time at the university, Cooper claims that Feldman took an uncomfortable interest in her personal life and would often make comments about her body. On one occasion, Cooper claims, her former coach had asked if she had sex the previous night. Elsewhere, the media mogul said Feldman would try to get her alone, put a hand on her thigh and stare at her — despite trying to 'resist.' In the documentary, Cooper claimed that university officials told her family that they would not fire Feldman, despite her and her loved ones repeatedly raising concerns about the coach. Copper added that the school did not investigate her claims, instead allowing her to keep her full soccer scholarship. Feldman compiled 418 victories to rank 22nd all-time among NCAA women's soccer coaches and was named conference coach of the year 12 times. She was the program's only coach since 1995, when it became a varsity sport. Cooper's Hulu docuseries premiered at the Tribeca Festival in NYC. During a Q&A at the event, the media star detailed her allegations against Feldman. 'The minute I stepped back on that field, I felt so small,' she said Sunday. 'I just felt like I was 18 years old again, and I was in a situation with someone in a position of power who abused their power, and I felt like I wasn't the 'Call Her Daddy' girl. 'I wasn't someone who had money and influence or whatever,' she went on. 'I was just another woman who experienced harassment on a level that changed my life forever and took away the thing I loved the most.'
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Nearly 100 ex-players back coach over sexual harassment claim by Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper
'We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behaviour or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment." Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper. Photo by Alex Stone / Disney+ Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. If Alex Cooper was hoping her claims of sexual harassment against her former Boston University soccer coach would be a rallying cry, it was — but not as she probably intended. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account After the star host of the Call Her Daddy podcast made the bombshell claims against Nancy Feldman, nearly 100 former players have united to stand behind the retired Terriers coach. In a letter signed by 99 former Terriers players, the group of BU Women's Soccer alumni decried the allegations made by Cooper in her recently released documentary, Call Her Alex . In a letter first obtained by TMZ, the women wrote that they 'categorically never felt unsafe,' under Feldman, who retired in 2022. 'We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behaviour or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment,' the letter read. 'As a leader, she approached every day with professionalism, making decisions in service of the success of the team. (Feldman) has remained an important part of our lives, and we shall stand by her.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Cooper was a member of the Terriers from 2013-15, when Feldman allegedly took an interest in her and would make uncomfortable comments about her body and her personal life — including asking Cooper if she had been sexually active the previous night. Cooper also claims that the school did nothing when her and her family approached Boston University officials about Feldman. She says that the school told her that they would not fire the coach, but Cooper could keep her full soccer scholarship despite leaving the team. Read More Boston University released a statement last week denying any wrongdoing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Boston University has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment,' the statement read. 'We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office. 'We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.' Cooper also addressed the claims during a Q&A session after the film's premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this month. 'During the filming of this documentary, I found out that the harassment and abuse of power is still happening on the campus of Boston University, and I spoke to one of the victims, and hearing her story was horrific, and I knew in that moment, if I don't speak about this, it's going to continue happening,' Cooper said, according to Deadline. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Music
NBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Dozens of former BU women's soccer players sign letter supporting former coach after Alex Cooper allegations
Dozens of alumni from Boston University's women's soccer team have signed a letter supporting the team's former coach after she was accused by podcast star Alex Cooper of sexual harassment. Cooper, host of the popular podcast 'Call Her Daddy,' alleged in her new Hulu docuseries 'Call Her Alex' that she endured years of sexual harassment from her college soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. The letter, obtained by NBC News and first reported by TMZ Sports, is signed by 99 former BU women's soccer team members spanning graduation years from 1996 to 2022. Signatories included players and former assistant coaches. The letter stated that they aim to share their collective perspective 'not to diminish or discredit anyone's individual experience, but to speak as a united group of alumni about how our time in the program was different.' 'During Coach Feldman's time leading the program, we categorically never felt unsafe,' the letter stated. 'We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment. As a leader, she approached every day with professionalism, making decisions in service of the success of the team.' The alumni added that Feldman has 'remained an important part of our lives, and we shall stand by her.' In the two-part docuseries, Cooper alleged that Feldman 'fixated' on her, wanted to know whom she was dating, made comments about her body, put her hand on her thigh and wanted to be alone with her. She alleged Feldman once questioned her about a date and asked whether she had had sex the night before. 'Nancy Feldman was someone I trusted. Someone I believed in. Someone who was supposed to help me grow. Someone who was supposed to protect me,' Cooper wrote in an Instagram statement last week. 'But instead she made my life a living hell and abused her power over me.' A representative for Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cooper said in the docuseries that her parents backed up her accusations against Feldman, having written down every incident she told them about during her three years on the team. But when she reported the allegations to the athletic director, she said, no investigation resulted. Cooper played on the team from 2013 to 2015, according to the BU women's soccer roster. Feldman, who retired in 2022 after 27 years at the university, did not respond to a request for comment at her former BU email. Boston University did not respond to a request for further comment. But after the docuseries' release, the university had told NBC News that it has a 'zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.' 'We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office. We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all,' the school stated, without directly addressing Cooper's claims. The 'Call Her Alex' docuseries, released earlier this month, is the first time Cooper has publicly come forward with her allegations since building a massive social media platform through her podcast empire. 'When this initially happened to me I felt like I had no voice. But that is no longer the case. Now I'm coming for all of you who abused your power over innocent young individuals,' Cooper wrote in last week's Instagram statement. 'Nancy Feldman, you will no longer be able to hide in the shadows and get away unscathed from the calculated pain you caused me and so many other women.' She added that she is speaking out for anyone who also went through her experience and felt unheard. 'We will no longer be silenced. I'm ready to bulldoze through every f---ing door for all of you out there,' Cooper wrote. 'Because when I was 18 years old, dismissed and ignored by Boston University, I prayed and wished someone with a voice would have held my hand and helped me through the darkest time in my life.'
