'Puppeteer’ behind Alex Cooper's Unwell? Former employees level allegations against podcaster's husband Matt Kaplan
Matt Kaplan, the film producer and husband of podcast star Alex Cooper, is facing allegations from multiple former employees and contractors who claim his conduct
Matt Kaplan, the film producer and husband of podcast star Alex Cooper, is facing allegations from multiple former employees and contractors who claim his conduct contributed to a toxic work environment at Unwell, the media company founded by Cooper. Toxic workplace allegations levelled against Alex Cooper's husband Matt Kaplan The allegations were detailed in a recent Vanity Fair report, which cited accounts from several women who worked for or alongside the company. While many sources declined to speak publicly due to concerns about potential professional repercussions, their accounts collectively describe a workplace where employees allegedly felt intimidated, belittled and fearful of making mistakes. According to Vanity Fair, several women alleged that Kaplan referred to employees as “stupid” or “retarded” and threatened to damage careers. Others claimed he frequently crossed professional boundaries through comments about physical appearance and discussions regarding employees' personal and sexual lives. Many former staff members reportedly described uncertainty about workplace norms, particularly among younger employees entering the workforce for the first time. One source cited by Vanity Fair suggested Kaplan viewed young female employees as “little sisters” and argued that some feelings of discomfort may have been misplaced.
However, numerous former workers painted a markedly different picture. Some employees reportedly viewed Kaplan as the primary decision-maker behind the scenes at Unwell. One former worker recalled being instructed: “You need to help me get Alex out of the house and into these meetings.” The same person alleged Kaplan complained, “I don’t give a f--k if she is sitting on our couch eating hot Cheetos all the time while I’m over here running her company.” Several sources told Vanity Fair that fear surrounding both Cooper and Kaplan influenced workplace dynamics. One former contract worker described the issue as particularly damaging for junior employees, claiming that “The young ones—poor girls were having panic attacks, anxiety. This isn’t sustainable.” Among the strongest allegations came from a freelancer who worked with Unwell on a project and told the magazine, “Matt creates the most toxic work environment that I’ve ever seen.” The individual alleged witnessing Kaplan repeatedly berate young female employees over minor errors, including event logistics and production-related tasks. Another former employee alleged that Kaplan routinely used aggressive language and personal insults.
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