Alex Cooper Unfiltered: Hulu’s Call Her Alex Chronicles the Rise of a Podcasting Icon
Hulu’s new documentary Call Her Alex reveals the untold story of Alex Cooper, from college trauma to building a $125 million media empire.
Hulu’s Call Her Alex offers an unprecedented look into the life of Alex Cooper, creator of the hit podcast Call Her Daddy. The two-part docuseries traces her rise from a soccer-playing college student to a trailblazing media mogul. Created in partnership with her company, Unwell Network, the documentary dives deep into the events that shaped Cooper’s personal and professional evolution.
At the heart of the documentary is a revelation that had remained largely unspoken until now, Cooper’s accusation of sexual harassment against her former Boston University soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. This deeply personal experience is framed as a pivotal turning point, marking the beginning of Cooper’s path toward creating a space for vulnerability and empowerment in the podcasting world.
Cooper launched Call Her Daddy in 2018 alongside Sofia Franklyn. Though the early episodes were known for their unfiltered takes on sex and relationships, the show’s tone shifted dramatically after Franklyn’s 2020 departure and Cooper’s subsequent solo success. The podcast evolved into a platform where high-profile guests like Kamala Harris, Hailey Bieber, and RuPaul now discuss identity, mental health, and personal growth.
After gaining traction with Barstool Sports, Call Her Daddy skyrocketed to mainstream success when Spotify inked a $60 million exclusive deal with Cooper in 2021. The podcast held the title of Spotify’s second most popular show globally and was the number one choice among women aged 18 to 24. In 2024, she transitioned to Sirius XM in a $125 million deal, cementing her as one of the highest-paid voices in podcasting.
The docuseries also touches on Cooper’s personal life. Born in 1994 in Pennsylvania to a psychologist and a sports TV producer, she grew up in a household that encouraged open dialogue. She married producer Matt Kaplan, her business partner and co-founder of the Unwell Network, in April 2024. Together, they now run a media company fostering new talent and female-led projects.
The title Call Her Alex nods to her podcast’s legacy while re-centering the narrative on the real woman behind the microphone. Through behind-the-scenes footage and heartfelt commentary, the documentary paints a fuller picture of Cooper’s journey, one marked by trauma, resilience, and a drive to reshape how women’s stories are told in the media.
While the trailer proclaims that Call Her Daddy became “the biggest show in the world,” industry data suggests it consistently ranked just behind The Joe Rogan Experience. However, its cultural impact and dominance among young female audiences are indisputable.
