The fascinating true story behind Call Her Alex, explained

Call Her Alex, a two-part Hulu documentary about Alex Cooper, premieres on June 10, 2025. It follows her journey from a small-town girl in Pennsylvania to a media mogul as she prepares for her first live tour. The series also shows how her 2018 podcast Call Her Daddy became a cultural hit, changing how people talk about women's relationships and empowerment.

The narrative behind the show originates from Cooper's swift ascension in podcasting through huge contracts with Spotify and SiriusXM and her need to tell a more in-depth, personal story. Directed by Ry Russo-Young and Cooper's Unwell Productions, the documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8, 2025.

The true story behind Call Her Alex

Still from Call Her Alex (Image via Disney)

Call Her Alex centers on Alex Cooper’s evolution from a college athlete to a podcasting trailblazer. Alexandra Cooper, born August 21, 1994, in Newtown, Pennsylvania, grew up in a tight-knit family with parents Laurie and Bryan Cooper and two siblings.

A competitive soccer player in high school, she faced a major setback when a knee injury ended her athletic career at Boston University, where she studied film and television. After graduating in 2016, Cooper moved to New York City, working entry-level media jobs at outlets like Gotham Magazine while navigating a turbulent dating life.

Her experiences inspired Call Her Daddy, co-created with Sofia Franklyn in 2018 under Barstool Sports. The podcast’s raw discussions on s*x and relationships gained a massive following, but a 2020 fallout with Franklyn and Barstool’s Dave Portnoy tested her.

She took full control of the podcast, shifting its focus to mental health, self-worth, and women’s empowerment. In 2021, Cooper signed a $60 million deal with Spotify, followed by a $125 million SiriusXM contract in 2024, making her one of podcasting’s highest-paid hosts.

She founded Unwell Network in 2022, producing shows like Hot Mess with Alix Earle. Reflecting on Call Her Alex, Cooper said in a press release for the docuseries, as reported by People,

“It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the moments that shaped me — the raw, the messy, the personal stuff I’ve never felt comfortable sharing until now,” she continued.

Challenges included public scrutiny over her personal life, like her 2018 relationship with baseball player Noah Syndergaard, and balancing authenticity with fame. She also launched Unwell Hydration, a wellness brand, in early 2025.

What is Call Her Alex all about, explored

The two-part Hulu documentary Call Her Alex follows Alex Cooper’s rise as the host of the Call Her Daddy podcast. Directed by Ry Russo-Young (The Sun Is Also a Star), it blends professional storytelling with real-life footage. The series shows Cooper getting ready for sold-out shows, meeting fans, and dealing with stage fright during her 2023 tour across ten U.S. cities.

Each 60-minute episode features distinct segments: the first focuses on her early career and tour prep, while the second explores her influence and future ambitions. The documentary includes never-before-seen footage from Cooper’s college years, such as home videos of her soccer games, and behind-the-scenes moments at Spotify studios.

Production by Unwell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures emphasizes authenticity, using minimal narration to let Cooper’s voice drive the story. Interviews with industry figures like Spotify’s Dawn Ostroff and SiriusXM’s Scott Greenstein highlight her impact, while fan testimonials showcase her role in inspiring confidence among young women.

The series avoids dramatizing personal conflicts, focusing instead on professional milestones, like her 2022 launch of Unwell Network and hosting high-profile guests like Hailey Bieber.

Call Her Alex streams on Hulu and Disney+ in the US starting June 10, 2025, at 12:01 AM ET, with both episodes available at once. Hulu subscriptions cost $9.99/month (with ads) or $18.99/month (ad-free), with a 30-day free trial for new users.

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About the author

Arvind Singh covers anime and pop culture at Sportskeeda, with a knack for capturing the essence of entertainment through his words. Although he graduated with a BSc in Transportation Technology, his interest in pop culture was ingrained in him from a young age. Witnessing Michael Jackson’s live concert on TV at just 4 years old ignited a lifelong admiration for diverse music and storytelling.

Arvind’s experience includes over a year as an Anime Writer for Sportskeeda, alongside contributions to GameRant’s anime division. He also held a position as a UK Custom Export Executive at Aquatic Freights Pvt. Ltd before delving into the world of journalistic writing. He is dedicated to ethical and relevant reporting through his meticulous sourcing of facts, ensuring he only conveys accurate information devoid of any bias.

In his leisure time, Arvind enjoys listening to rock music, writing poetry, and playing adventure video games. He admires the charisma of icons like Shahrukh Khan, the eloquence of Matthew McConaughey, and the smooth yet powerful vocals of Chester Bennington. Writing is an integral part of his life, and when it comes to expressing his interest and putting a whole scene into words, he could do it all day.

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Edited by Divya Singh