The Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper is no stranger to controversy, especially after her recent sit-down with Vice President Kamala Harris stirred up quite the debate among listeners. Many of Cooper's fans were shocked when she decided to interview the Democratic candidate, leading to backlash from sections of her conservative audience.
Cooper, who has built her brand on candid and personal storytelling around topics like relationships and mental health, took the leap to engage with political subjects, something she usually avoids. Her episode with Harris aired just weeks before the upcoming election, and Cooper addressed her decision directly, informing her audience about her intention to make women’s issues, particularly those pertinent to the election, a focal point.
“I want Call Her Daddy to be the place everyone feels comfortable tuning in,” she said, acknowledging her podcast's politically diverse fanbase. “I talk about mental health, relationships, and sexuality, and at the end of the day, I couldn’t see the biggest conversation of this election about women happening and not be part of it.”
Cooper defended her choice by emphasizing she was not out to change anyone’s political views. “I am very aware I have mixed audience when it pertains to politics,” she noted. “My goal today is not to change your political affiliation.” Nevertheless, her bold move led to a flood of negative comments from her conservative listeners, with many claiming the interview was biased or “propaganda.”
Critics voiced their displeasure through social media, with some stating their intent to stop listening to Call Her Daddy entirely. “One of my most favorite podcasts and now I’ll never listen again. unbelievable,” one listener lamented. Another echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment and calling it, “trying to make her look ‘gen z.’”
Despite the grievances aired online, Cooper remains undeterred. She later addressed her followers with confidence, stating, “I totally understand everyone has different political opinions, but I feel really good about the entire episode being about women,” highlighting some of the significant issues raised during her talk with Harris.
Throughout the interview, they touched on hot-button topics like abortion rights and sexual violence. At one point, Cooper pushed Harris to respond to Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ comments, which implied Harris’s lack of children made her less relatable. Harris responded with grace, referring to the importance of empathy, stating, “I feel sorry for [her]. I think it’s really important for women to lift each other up.”
Even as the episode gained attention for its substantive conversation, Cooper had to tackle the criticism head-on from her fans. She reiterated her commitment to creating content centered around women’s rights and was straightforward about reaching out to Harris’s political opponents. “If Trump wants to have the same meaningful conversation about women’s rights, he’s welcome on Call Her Daddy any time,” she said.
Despite the mixed reactions, one thing is clear: Cooper’s podcast continues to push boundaries. The discussion sparked strong reactions from various political factions, propelling Call Her Daddy to the second position on podcast charts, right behind Joe Rogan, with many speculating on potential interviews with other high-profile guests, including Harris herself on Rogan's platform.
Newly refocused on her ambition to touch on significant issues affecting women, Cooper highlighted her evolution since starting the podcast. She later reflected on the need for authenticity among her guests. Recently, she spilled the beans on her “least favorite” guest, a male actor whose episode had to be scrapped due to his lack of engagement. “You could tell he was on a press run,” she expressed, emphasizing her desire for meaningful conversations over superficial promotion.
This past week, Cooper has been vocal about wanting to continue exploring the women’s narrative and has plans for future projects. She wishes to create more than just the podcast format for her audience. “Every year I’m trying to expand Call Her Daddy, so I can’t wait to reveal new things we’re working on,” she teased.
Now branded as the highest-paid female podcaster, following lucrative deals transitioning from Barstool Sports to Spotify, and now SiriusXM, Cooper has built herself as not just a voice on relationships and gossip, but also as someone capable of tackling complex and contentious topics. She is reliable for deep dives on pivotal women's issues, merging entertainment with activism.
With her straightforward humor and authenticity at the forefront, Cooper plans to intertwine political discourse without sacrificing her core comedic roots. It is this ability to evolve and adapt without losing sight of her audience or principles that's set to keep Call Her Daddy not only relevant but also thriving.
Cooper’s ambitions reflect her desire for growth both personally and professionally. She dreams of interviewing the likes of Taylor Swift, whom she has praised for paving her path forward as well as taking ownership of her narrative without competing against others. “I want to be the biggest creator,” Cooper remarked, underscoring her relentless drive.
Whether it’s discussing celebrity culture, personal stories, or addressing political issues, the podcast aims to bridge gaps, not create divides. With each episode, Cooper continues to redefine what it means to be part of the podcasting world, showing there’s always space to tackle fresh and significant conversations.
Time will tell how audiences respond to her bold new plans. But one aspect is clear: as Cooper grows, so does her platform, and it’s bound to stir up both excitement and controversy along the way.
