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Alex Cooper faces explosive new controversy as Bachelor alum Lauren Burnham publicly details years of tension between them. The Call Her Daddy host made inappropriate comments about Burnham’s daughter Alessi in regular podcast segments. This bombshell revelation, shared via TikTok on Friday, May 2, reignites scrutiny on Cooper during an already turbulent period for her empire.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Drama: Cooper made sexualizing comments about Burnham’s unborn and newborn daughter Alessi starting in 2019
- Burnham’s Reaction: Still “furious” years later, considered hiring lawyers but decided against legal action
- Timing: Resurfacing amid Cooper’s broader controversies including workplace allegations
- Burnham’s Stance: Declared “Team Alix Earle” and said “It’s about time Alex gets called out”
Years of Inappropriate Baby Comments Revealed
Lauren Burnham Luyendyk, 34, broke her silence about the years-long feud that began around 2019 when she and husband Arie Luyendyk Jr. welcomed their daughter Alessi. During that time, Cooper and then-co-host Sofia Franklyn regularly mocked the baby on their popular podcast. The reality star explained in her TikTok that Cooper’s team “thought it would be funny to make fun of our unborn baby.”
Burnham emphasized the line was crossed when the comments became inappropriate. “They made a regular segment before she was born and after she was born where they were sexualizing our child and talking very inappropriately and disgustingly about her,” she stated in the viral video. A 2019 podcast clip showed Franklyn imitating the baby Alessi while Cooper made disparaging remarks, including calling the infant “on the brink of prostitution.”
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Burnham Considered Legal Action but Backed Down
The Bachelor alum revealed she was prepared to take action against Cooper and Barstool Sports, the podcast’s original distributor. “They should be in big trouble for doing that,” Burnham said, noting she “was about to hire a lawyer.” However, she and Arie ultimately decided against pursuing legal action, fearing that public attention would amplify the content rather than diminish it.
The couple believed the jokes “would blow over,” but Cooper continued addressing baby Alessi for an extended period. “Eventually she stopped and we kind of forgot about it. And now that it’s resurfacing again, it still makes me so furious,” Burnham confessed in her video.
Timeline of the Feud and Supporting Details
| Event | Details |
| 2019 | Alessi born; regular “baby mocking” segments begin on Call Her Daddy |
| 2023 | Burnham discusses feud on Unplanned podcast, mentions inappropriate comments |
| April-May 2026 | Cooper faces workplace allegations and Alix Earle feud; Burnham speaks out again |
| May 2, 2026 | Burnham goes public with TikTok detailing the full scope of inappropriate comments |
“Make fun of us, don’t care. But they took it too far. They made a regular segment before she was born and after she was born where they were sexualizing our child and talking very inappropriately and disgustingly about her.”
— Lauren Burnham Luyendyk, Bachelor alum and mother
A Bigger Problem for Cooper’s Empire
Burnham’s accusations arrive during a tumultuous period for Cooper and her Unwell Network. The 31-year-old podcast host already faces serious allegations regarding her husband Matt Kaplan’s workplace conduct and an intensifying public feud with influencer Alix Earle. These mounting controversies have prompted Bachelor Nation to reassess Cooper’s behavior and legacy.
Burnham now firmly supports Earle in their dispute. She posted via Instagram Stories, “Team @alixearle all the way. It’s about time Alex gets called out. And yes, it’s personal.” The comment signals that Cooper’s treatment of Burnham’s family has personal significance in her decision to take a public stand.
What This Means for Accountability in Podcast Culture
The resurgence of Burnham’s allegations raises critical questions about accountability in podcast entertainment. What started as comedy segments on a massive platform affected a real family with a real child, Burnham emphasized. Her willingness to speak up years later suggests that previous silence was strategic, not acceptance.
Cooper has not publicly responded to the renewed allegations as of May 2, 2026. Industry observers note this controversy compounds existing challenges to Cooper’s brand and workplace reputation. Will the mounting pressure on the podcasting giant finally change how she conducts business?
Sources
- Page Six – Reported original feud details with Burnham’s TikTok statement and full timeline
- People Magazine – Provided resurfaced 2019 podcast clip transcripts and context about inappropriate comments
- Bachelor Nation – Documented Burnham’s public support for Alix Earle and personal feud confirmation
