Alex Cooper Ditches UTA Amid $500M Valuation

Alex Cooper is poised to drop her current talent agency, UTA, after a period of media scrutiny, and is in talks with other agencies, including CAA. The move comes after reports of behind-the-scenes chaos at Unwell, her media company, and the shutdown of her branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co.

Unwell was valued at $500 million through an investment from WTSL, an investment firm led by Patrick Whitesell. Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan retain a majority ownership stake in Unwell, which was founded in 2023 and has been profitable from day one.

UTA has helped Cooper build and scale her company, and has brokered deals such as a $100 million deal with SiriusXM in 2024. However, Cooper is now looking to leverage her success into more, and is eyeing CAA as her new representation.

The news comes after a turbulent period for Cooper, with reports of staff turnover and uneasiness among the staff at Unwell. Cooper has also faced negative headlines after Bloomberg and Vanity Fair reported claims about her branded beverage line shutting down later this year.

## What's Next Cooper's move to CAA is not yet signed, but the expectation is that she will make the agency her new home. UTA declined to comment on reports of Cooper departing, while CAA also declined to comment.

## Why it Matters The move is significant for Cooper, who remains one of the most popular podcast hosts thanks to the success of Call Her Daddy. The $500 million valuation of Unwell is also a major milestone for the company, and Cooper's decision to change representation may be a sign of her desire to expand her empire.

The investment from WTSL is seen as growth capital for Unwell, and will help the company to grow its slate of podcasts, live events, and film and TV production arm. With the backing of WTSL, Cooper is well-positioned to take her company to the next level, and her decision to change representation may be a key part of that strategy.