Alex Cooper Calls Out Toxic Workplace Allegations Against Unwell
Viral podcaster and business woman Alex Cooper has responded to the toxic workplace allegations embroiling her media company, the Unwell Network.
Amidst her headline-buzzing feud with fellow podcaster Alix Earle, Cooper became the centre of infamy once again after more than 40 sources — both current and former employees — came forward about the alleged work conditions of Unwell and behaviour of her husband and business partner, Matt Kaplan.
According to the scathing Vanity Fair report, sources alleged Kaplan would verbally abuse staff, reportedly made young female staffers cry, and threatened career progression.
“Matt will scream the worst things and say the nastiest things to you, and Alex will be there next to him, not defending anyone,” one source, who claimed to be a former employee, alleged.
A report by Bloomberg echoed the allegations regarding Kaplan’s behaviour, claiming that staff threteaned to quit during filming if nothing had changed.
Alex Cooper fires back at toxic workplace allegations
Speaking with The Wall Street Journal‘s Suzanne Vranica at Cannes this week, Cooper briefly touched on the allegations, sharing she was “extremely proud” of what they’ve built at Unwell.
“I will say that building a startup, there is so much growth that comes with that, and I am extremely proud of what we have built at Unwell,” she told the publication.
“And I will just kind of leave it at ‘don’t believe everything that you read on the internet’ — but I think everyone knows that at this point.”
When she was pressed once more on the claims, Cooper reitereated how proud she was of Unwell, and stressed that women within the industry are “held to a complete different standard”.
“I think that we have done a really incredible job at Unwell, and I think if you walk the halls, there are so many people that are so happy to work at this company,” she said.
“I think, unfortunately, being a woman in this industry is extremely difficult because you’re held to a complete different standard. Whether it’s a smear campaign being created for someone’s narrative — whatever it be.
“I think when you read lies about yourself to fuel something else that is an obvious situation going on, it’s hard. But I think the reason that I’ve had success in this industry is I have really thick skin, and I’m going to keep pushing forward.”
Cooper and Kaplan launched the Unwell Network in 2023, describing at a production company geared towards Gen Z. Shows under Unwell’s domain include Cooper’s incredibly successfull Call Her Daddy podcast, The Burnouts, Reality Recap, and so much more.
The media moguls also founded Trending, which has produced over 50 films and TV Shows including the To All The Boys and XO, Kitty franchises.
The viral podcaster has previously spoken about what the Unwell work environment was like, claiming that it “moves at the speed of a group chat” in an interview with Fast Company.
“Our competitive advantage over traditional media is that it’s never been able to have a two-way conversation. [We can], and that is something that I take pride in.”
