Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, the former co-hosts of the popular podcast "Call Her Daddy," had a very public falling out in 2020 that left fans wondering what happened between the two. The podcast, which began in 2018, quickly gained a massive following due to its frank discussions about sex and relationships. However, after only two years, the show was thrown into turmoil when Franklyn and Cooper reportedly had a dispute over a new contract with their parent company, Barstool Sports.
The details of what happened between Cooper and Franklyn are still somewhat murky, but it appears that the two had very different ideas about how to proceed with the podcast. According to reports, Franklyn wanted to renegotiate their contract with Barstool Sports, while Cooper was content with the existing terms. When negotiations broke down, Franklyn reportedly began to explore other options, which led to a rift between the two co-hosts.
Despite the drama, "Call Her Daddy" continued on without Franklyn, with Cooper taking on solo hosting duties. The show remains popular to this day, but many fans still wonder what really happened between the two former friends.
Origins of Call Her Daddy
Creation and Initial Success
Call Her Daddy is a podcast that was created in 2018 by two friends, Sofia Franklyn and Alexandra Cooper. The show is centered around dating and relationships, with a humorous and explicit take on the subject matter. The podcast quickly gained popularity, with thousands of downloads and followers in just a few months.
Sofia and Alex's chemistry on the show was undeniable, and listeners were drawn to their candid and unfiltered conversations. The success of the podcast allowed the two friends to pursue their dream careers as full-time podcasters.
Partnership with Barstool Sports
In 2018, Barstool Sports, a sports and pop culture blog, acquired the rights to Call Her Daddy. The partnership allowed the podcast to reach an even wider audience and gain even more success.
Under Barstool Sports, Call Her Daddy continued to grow in popularity, with millions of downloads and followers. The podcast also expanded its subject matter, covering topics such as mental health and personal growth.
However, in 2020, Sofia Franklyn and Alexandra Cooper experienced a falling out. The details of their dispute are not entirely clear, but it was reported that the two disagreed over a new Barstool contract. The dispute led to the end of their partnership and the end of the original iteration of Call Her Daddy.
Despite the controversy, Alexandra Cooper continued the show under the same name and with a new co-host, while Sofia Franklyn launched her own podcast called "Sofia with an F". Both podcasters have continued to have successful careers in the industry.
The Rise of the Co-Hosts
The Call Her Daddy podcast was launched in 2018 by two friends, Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn. The podcast quickly gained popularity, with listeners tuning in to hear the two women talk about their personal lives and relationships.
Alex Cooper's Background
Alex Cooper, who was born on August 21, 1994, grew up in Newtown, Pennsylvania. She attended Boston University, where she played Division I soccer. After graduating in 2016 with a degree in sports journalism, Cooper moved to New York City to pursue a career in media.
Before launching Call Her Daddy, Cooper worked as a sales representative for Betches Media. She also worked as a freelance writer for publications such as Cosmopolitan and Playbill.
Sofia Franklyn's Journey
Sofia Franklyn, who was born on July 21, 1992, grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended the University of Utah, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism.
After graduating in 2014, Franklyn moved to New York City to pursue a career in media. She worked as a producer for ABC News and later as a producer for the Barstool Sports podcast KFC Radio.
Franklyn and Cooper first met in 2018 when they were both working for Barstool Sports. They quickly became friends and decided to launch Call Her Daddy together.
Both Cooper and Franklyn have sizable followings on Instagram, with Cooper boasting over 2 million followers and Franklyn having over 400,000 followers. They have also built their own personal brands, with Cooper launching a fashion line called "Single Father" and Franklyn launching a line of candles called "Sofia By Sofia".
Contract Negotiations and Disputes
Initial Contract and Salary
When Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn launched their podcast, "Call Her Daddy", in 2018, they signed a three-year contract with Barstool Sports, a media company owned by Dave Portnoy. According to Nicki Swift, the initial contract guaranteed them a base salary of $75,000 each per year, plus bonuses based on the number of downloads and merchandise sales.
Negotiation Challenges
In 2020, Cooper and Franklyn's contract was up for renegotiation. They hired lawyer Peter Nelson to represent them in the negotiations. According to Distractify, the two co-hosts had different ideas about what they wanted out of the new contract. Franklyn reportedly wanted more money and intellectual property rights, while Cooper was more focused on the podcast's creative control and the team's role in editing, marketing, and finance.
Involvement of Peter Nelson
Peter Nelson, who had previously worked as an executive at HBO, was heavily involved in the contract negotiations. According to Hitc, Nelson advised Franklyn to hold out for a better deal, and even suggested that they could take the podcast to another media company if Barstool didn't meet their demands. However, Cooper reportedly felt that Nelson was being too greedy and that his involvement was causing unnecessary tension between the co-hosts.
Public Fallout
The contract negotiations ultimately led to a public fallout between Cooper and Franklyn. According to E! Online, Cooper went behind Franklyn's back and negotiated a new contract with Barstool Sports without her knowledge. When Franklyn found out, she felt betrayed and decided to split from the podcast. The fallout between the two co-hosts was widely covered by the media and sparked a debate about the role of influencers and the importance of setting boundaries in business relationships.
The Breakup and Aftermath
Announcement of the Split
The split between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn, co-hosts of the popular podcast "Call Her Daddy," was announced in May 2020. The news shocked fans and the media, as the two had built a successful brand together, with the podcast trending on Spotify and gaining a large following. The split was reportedly due to contract negotiations, with both hosts wanting different things.
Sofia With an F
After the split, Sofia Franklyn launched her own podcast, "Sofia With an F," which she used as a platform to address the situation. In an interview with E!, she spoke about the difficult time she had gone through, and how she felt disloyal to her fans for not speaking out sooner. She also addressed rumors of a feud between her and Alex, stating that they were still friends, but that they had different visions for their careers.
Alex Cooper's Solo Career
Alex Cooper continued with "Call Her Daddy" on her own, with the blessing of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. She addressed the split in an episode of the podcast titled "Daddy Speaks," where she spoke about the fallout and her plans for the future. She also revealed that she had signed a $60 million deal with Spotify, which included a base salary of $1 million and a $500,000 annual bonus based on downloads.
Throughout the breakup and aftermath, both Alex and Sofia received support from celebrities and fans alike. While the split was initially met with backlash and accusations of misogyny, both hosts have since moved on to successful careers in entertainment and continue to promote sex-positive messages through their respective platforms.
Impact on Media and Culture
Influence on Podcasting
The fallout between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn had a significant impact on the podcasting industry. Their podcast, "Call Her Daddy," had skyrocketed to fame, with millions of listeners tuning in to hear the duo's discussions on sex and dating. The controversy surrounding their split led to discussions on the role of podcasters as brand ambassadors, the importance of transparency in media companies, and the financial implications of trending content.
Discussions on Sex and Dating
"Call Her Daddy" was known for its frank discussions on sex and dating, and the fallout between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn brought to light the challenges of discussing such topics in a public forum. The controversy led to discussions on the importance of consent, the role of personal boundaries, and the impact of mental health on personal relationships.
Addressing Misogyny in Media
The controversy surrounding "Call Her Daddy" also highlighted the issue of misogyny in media. The podcast's success was built on discussions of sex and dating from a female perspective, but the fallout between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn revealed the challenges women face in male-dominated industries. The controversy led to discussions on the importance of diversity and inclusion in media, the impact of misogyny on mental health, and the role of celebrities and influencers in addressing these issues.
Overall, the fallout between Alex Cooper and Sofia Franklyn had a significant impact on media and culture, sparking discussions on podcasting, sex and dating, and misogyny in media. The controversy brought to light the importance of transparency, diversity, and inclusion in media companies, and the impact of trending content on finance and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sofia Franklyn leave the Call Her Daddy podcast?
Sofia Franklyn left the Call Her Daddy podcast in May 2020 due to a dispute with her co-host, Alexandra Cooper. The dispute was over the show's contract with Barstool Sports, which Franklyn believed was unfair. The contract negotiations caused a rift between the two co-hosts, and Franklyn ultimately decided to leave the show.
What led to the fallout between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper?
The fallout between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper was caused by a dispute over the Call Her Daddy podcast's contract with Barstool Sports. Franklyn believed that the contract was unfair, and Cooper disagreed. The disagreement caused a rift between the two co-hosts, and Franklyn ultimately decided to leave the show.
How did Alex Cooper retain the rights to the Call Her Daddy brand?
Alex Cooper retained the rights to the Call Her Daddy brand by negotiating a new contract with Barstool Sports after Sofia Franklyn left the show. Under the new contract, Cooper became the sole host of the podcast and retained the rights to the Call Her Daddy name.
Is there any ongoing relationship or friendship between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper?
There is no ongoing relationship or friendship between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper. The two co-hosts have not spoken since Franklyn left the Call Her Daddy podcast in May 2020.
What has Sofia Franklyn been doing since her departure from Call Her Daddy?
Since her departure from Call Her Daddy, Sofia Franklyn has launched her own podcast, "Sofia with an F." The podcast covers a variety of topics, including dating, relationships, and pop culture.
Was Peter Nelson involved in the dispute between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper?
Peter Nelson, the former head of HBO Sports, was reportedly involved in the dispute between Sofia Franklyn and Alex Cooper. Nelson was dating Sofia Franklyn at the time of the dispute and was said to be advising her on the negotiations with Barstool Sports. However, it is unclear how much influence he had on the final outcome of the dispute.