Alix Earle sidestepped inquiries about her reported feud with Alex Cooper during an appearance on the Today show.
Earle, 25, was featured on the episode of Today on Tuesday, May 12, to discuss her new Sports Illustrated cover. Craig Melvin brought up the ongoing online conflict between the two internet figures.
“There seems to be a bit of online beef there,” he remarked. “What’s really going on?”
Earle chose not to elaborate on the situation with Cooper.
“I’m trying to keep things pretty positive today. We don’t have that much time here, honestly,” she replied. “Also, why ruin such a good day with something not so great?”
Melvin, 47, pressed further, questioning whether the drama was “legitimate contiguousness” or exaggerated.
Earle responded, “No, it’s exaggerated. I love everyone.”
Melvin expressed skepticism, saying he was “not buying it,” before concluding his interview with Earle.
Cooper and Earle’s friendship began when the Dancing With the Stars alum launched her “Hot Mess” podcast in September 2023 under Cooper’s Unwell Network.
The podcast was discontinued in February 2025 amid speculation of a dispute between Cooper and Earle.
“There’s been a lot of chatter online this week about me and work. And I also have no idea what’s going on,” Earle shared on TikTok at the time. “I don’t really want to delve into the details, and I kind of can’t right now, but I’m really proud of what I built with the podcast.”
A source later revealed to Us Weekly that there was significant tension once the two started collaborating.
“They’ve had a lot of drama between them since they decided to collaborate on Unwell,” another insider noted. “They clashed over business, and their friendship ended because of it.”
Recently, Earle reposted a TikTok that seemed to shade Cooper, prompting the “Call Her Daddy” podcast host to respond publicly.
“I’m really tired of waking up and seeing you using this fake drama to distract from other stuff going on for you. Not interested. I know what happened and so do you,” Cooper stated in an April TikTok video. “So talk. Unless the fake narrative that you’re creating is more interesting than the truth. I have nothing to hide when it comes to you and me.”
Cooper encouraged Earle to “get specific” about their issues, adding, “Just say what you gotta say about me. There’s no NDA and no one is stopping you. Stop hiding behind others and say it yourself. What’s the beef?”
She concluded: “Unless you actually have something to say, I’m out. This is over. Have a good Monday, everyone.”
Earle hinted she might share her perspective, responding, “OK on it!!”
The two have not commented further on the matter. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report last month alleged that Cooper’s podcast network has experienced significant staff turnover over the past two years. The report claimed Cooper’s husband, Matt Kaplan, was central to the company’s issues while managing day-to-day operations.
Kaplan “has earned a reputation for frequently yelling at staff members,” with some threatening to leave projects unless he “keeps his distance,” the report stated. (Cooper and Kaplan have not addressed these claims.)
