Alex Cooper Walks Away From UTA as Unwell Media Lands $500M Deal

Alex Cooper, the host of the hit podcast “Call Her Daddy,” officially ended her talent‑agency relationship with United Talent Agency on July 27, following the announcement that Unwell Media had closed a $500 million investment round with WTSL.

The decision came after a 90‑day strategic review that began after the funding was finalized on August 12. Cooper’s move signals a shift in how the brand will manage its rapidly expanding media operations.

The split was confirmed by Unwell Media’s representative to, who said the agency had focused primarily on the company’s podcast business, whereas Unwell has since branched into in‑house production, events and other verticals.

The brand now seeks partners that can match its speed, scale and multi‑vertical infrastructure as it prepares to grow across podcasts, TV, film and consumer products.

Unwell was founded in 2023 by Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan.

Since then it has added new creators like the Ha Sisters, Georgia Hassarati and Isabel Timerman to its podcast slate, worked with Netflix on the “Let’s Marry Harry” series, and is producing book adaptations of “Icebreaker” and “Deep End.” The company’s expansion plan includes a creative agency and foundation, all backed by WTSL.

## Background & Context

Unwell Media began as a partnership between Cooper and Kaplan, building on her success with the former Barstool team and Spotify. The brand’s rapid growth over the past year has pushed it beyond the traditional podcast model, leading to a broader content strategy that includes live events and consumer products.

After securing WTSL’s $500 million investment, Unwell entered a period of intense strategic planning. The review concluded that UTA’s focus on podcasts was too narrow for the company’s new multi‑vertical ambitions. As a result, Cooper decided to part ways with UTA to pursue representation better aligned with her expanded media platform.

Cooper’s departure follows her earlier statement that “trust has become the ultimate distribution channel” and that the brand is now poised to accelerate growth through acquisitions and further investments. The move underscores the company’s intent to scale rapidly in partnership with an agency that can support its diverse portfolio.

## What People Are Saying

Cooper’s own statement highlighted the importance of trust and her commitment to serving a “highly influential” audience of 70 million women a month. She also noted that WTSL’s backing would help the company acquire new content and expand its reach.

Unwell has reportedly entered talks with Creative Artists Agency, though no formal deal has been finalized. The agency is known for representing talent across multiple media platforms, making it a potential fit for Unwell’s broad strategy.

The brand’s expansion efforts are already underway, with partnerships that span podcasts, television and film. Unwell’s work with Netflix on “Let’s Marry Harry” and its upcoming book adaptations demonstrate its growing influence beyond the podcast realm.

## What Happens Next

Unwell Media plans to launch new projects across podcasts, TV, film, live events and consumer products over the next year. The company will also develop an in‑house creative agency and a foundation to support its community initiatives.

With WTSL’s financial backing and a potential new partnership with CAA, Unwell aims to align its infrastructure with the speed and scale required for rapid expansion. The brand is also exploring acquisition opportunities to further diversify its content offerings.

In the coming weeks, industry observers will watch how Cooper’s new representation shapes Unwell’s next phase of growth. The company’s ability to adapt its talent and business model may set a precedent for media brands scaling beyond traditional podcasting.