Howard Stern’s Titanic ‘Ego’ Laid Bare as His Backstage Diva Demands — And Hatred Over Younger Rival — Are Revealed

The renowned radio personality Howard Stern, who is 71 years old, is navigating new challenges at SiriusXM. Insiders reveal that his staff members are increasingly attracted to opportunities presented by emerging podcast sensation Alex Cooper, as reported by RadarOnline.com.

SiriusXM made headlines in August 2024 when they confirmed that the 31-year-old host of Call Her Daddy, Alex Cooper, had inked a lucrative three-year deal worth $125 million.

Cooper’s ascendance has led to her being viewed as the “future of Sirius“, creating a challenging scenario for Stern. An insider commented, “Howard is acutely aware of the investments being made into Alex and her show. He recognizes that she represents the future, and Sirius is prioritizing her over him, a reality he struggles to accept.”

Speculation regarding Stern’s future intensified this past summer when The Howard Stern Show teased a significant announcement prior to his return from a break on September 2, which was postponed to September 8 due to health issues. Fans were left wondering if his forthcoming contract renewal would be the conclusion of his show.

Upon his return, Stern dismissed these swirling rumors, stating, “All the rumors were completely false.” He even engaged in a comedic segment with Bravo’s Andy Cohen, pretending that Cohen would replace him.

Despite this lighthearted banter, insiders claim that his rivalry with Cooper is more complex. “Howard has an issue with the fact that Alex is not in traditional radio and that SiriusXM has chosen to financially back her,” one source mentioned, adding that Stern’s “ego is causing instability,” resulting in a less than welcoming demeanor toward her.

While Alex Cooper operates out of Los Angeles, reports suggest that Stern avoids her when she is in the SiriusXM New York offices. A source disclosed, “Stern is brought in and out quickly with security, minimizing any interactions with other talents.”

Interest in his program has reportedly been waning since his criticism of former President Donald Trump in September 2024, which led to a drastic loss of listeners—from a high of 20 million down to approximately 125,000.

The atmosphere has created anxiety among staff. One insider explained, “People at SiriusXM follow the money. These are individuals anxious about financial security, and they would swiftly jump ship if given the opportunity to work with Alex.”

A former staff member, Steven Grillo, affirmed this sentiment, noting that Stern has historically counted on a “loyal” workforce who are compensated just enough to survive, without the resources to flourish like he has.

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Alex Cooper’s status within SiriusXM continues to flourish. Her contract assures exclusivity regarding advertising and distribution of content related to Call Her Daddy and her Unwell Network productions.

This year, SiriusXM launched two new channels—Unwell Music and Unwell On Air—featuring live broadcasts, curated playlists, and stories shared by Cooper and other creators.

Stern, for his part, expressed a nonchalant attitude toward the developments involving Cooper. On September 8, he claimed, “I don’t know Alex Cooper,” playfully admitting he initially misconstrued her name, thinking it referred to the legendary rocker Alice Cooper.

He expressed his support for audience growth, saying, “If they can attract subscribers, that benefits me. I hold shares in this stock, and I’m eager to see it succeed. I need people to subscribe for Alex Cooper.”

In his characteristic manner, he concluded that he would endorse any controversial figure as long as they could draw subscribers, stating, “I’d support anyone from Harvey Weinstein to Vladimir Putin if they could help boost subscriptions.”