Alex Cooper is leaving talent agency UTA, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision comes during an eventful week for the "Call Her Daddy" creator.
A source indicated that Cooper is in conversations with other agencies, but has not yet signed anything. The news emerges after Cooper announced on 12 August an investment from WTSL, the firm backed by Silver Lake and led by Patrick Whitesell, which valued her company Unwell Media at $500 million. According to the plans, the investment will be used to expand the company, which includes a portfolio of podcasts, as well as live events and a film and television production division, including through acquisitions.
However, amid the planned expansion, a Bloomberg report last week indicated that Cooper's branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co, will close later this year. Cooper has also faced several negative headlines after Bloomberg and Vanity Fair reported allegations about staff turnover and unrest among employees, particularly due to the behaviour of Matt Kaplan, Cooper's husband and company co-founder, who reportedly shouted at and humiliated staff members.
Cooper remains one of the most popular podcast hosts thanks to the success of "Call Her Daddy", but is now seeking to leverage that to expand her empire beyond podcasting. A source familiar with the matter said that Cooper's team has spent recent months planning their future growth strategy, including representation, related to the financing.
UTA declined to comment on reports of Cooper's departure. Oren Rosenbaum of UTA negotiated a $125 million deal with SiriusXM in 2024 for Cooper, and the agency also represented Cooper when she launched the Unwell podcast network in 2023.
