The Alex Cooper, Alix Earle, and Brianna Chickenfry Feud: What You Need to Know

In April 2026, a public feud erupted between podcaster Alex Cooper, influencer Alix Earle, and social media personality Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, drawing widespread attention across TikTok, Instagram, and entertainment news outlets. What began as a business disagreement has unfolded into a highly visible conflict involving allegations, direct message exchanges, and public rebuttals.

How the Feud Between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle Began

The tension between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle traces back to the dissolution of their professional relationship. Earle launched her podcast “Hot Mess” in September 2023 under Cooper’s Unwell Network. However, the partnership ended abruptly in February 2025 when the podcast was dropped. According to a source cited by Us Weekly in April 2026, the decision was made because “Hot Mess” lacked sufficient listenership to sustain the reveal, with the source stating the podcast “did not have the listenership to allow the podcast to continue.”

Earle addressed the split at the time in a TikTok, expressing surprise and saying she “didn’t really want to get into the details” but affirmed she was “proud of what I built.”

The Feud Goes Public: April 2026

The conflict reignited publicly on April 9, 2026, when Earle reposted a TikTok labeling Cooper the “Grim Reaper,” a move that sparked immediate speculation about the state of their relationship. Four days later, on April 13, Cooper responded directly in her own TikTok, calling out Earle for what she described as passive-aggressive behavior.

In the video, Cooper said: “Hey, girl. The passive aggressive reposts and the ‘likes’ and the commenting on things, I gotta call you out here. Just say what you gotta say about me. There’s no NDA and no one is stopping you. Stop hiding behind other people and just say it yourself.” She emphasized that there were no legal barriers preventing Earle from speaking openly.

Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Enters the Conflict

On April 15, 2026, Cooper took to her Instagram Stories to address Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia, accusing her of amplifying what Cooper described as a “fake narrative” that she was a “mean girl.” Cooper stated she had never met LaPaglia in person and that their only communication had been through direct messages.

To support her claim, Cooper shared screenshots of alleged DM exchanges. In one message, LaPaglia reportedly reached out to Cooper after hearing that Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy had made comments about her on his “BFFs” podcast. LaPaglia’s message, as shared by Cooper, read: “Hi Dave just got on bffs and said you hate me so wanted to dm you before the episode comes out and everyone goes insane Imao but I’m so sorry if when I said I haven’t listened to call her daddy it came off rude, always speak highly of you They cut clips to develop me look like a c–t, you’re the blue print.”

Cooper denied ever speaking negatively about LaPaglia to Portnoy, saying instead that she had told Portnoy “how great” LaPaglia was doing at Barstool and accused Portnoy of “starting drama.” She backed this up with what she presented as screenshots of her own texts to Portnoy.

The exchange appeared cordial afterward, with both parties continuing to message each other following the clarification.

Ongoing Public Reactions

The feud has continued to generate discussion across social media platforms, with fans weighing in on the allegations and the nature of the conflict. Coverage from outlets including E! News, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, and Pedestrian.tv has documented the escalating exchange of statements, particularly focusing on the April 2026 timeline of events.

As of mid-April 2026, neither Cooper nor Earle has indicated a private resolution, and LaPaglia has not publicly retracted her involvement in the discourse.

Key Takeaways

• The feud originated from the 2025 finish of Alix Earle’s “Hot Mess” podcast partnership with Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network.
• Public hostilities resumed in April 2026 after Earle reposted a TikTok calling Cooper the “Grim Reaper.”
• Cooper responded with a direct TikTok callout, urging Earle to speak openly about their issues.
• Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia became involved after Cooper accused her of spreading false narratives via Instagram Stories.
• Cooper cited direct message exchanges to defend her interactions with both LaPaglia and Dave Portnoy.
• All claims in this article are based on publicly available statements and verified reporting from April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the initial split between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle?

Their professional relationship ended when Earle’s podcast “Hot Mess” was dropped from Cooper’s Unwell Network in February 2025, reportedly due to insufficient listenership.

Why did Alex Cooper call out Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia?

Cooper accused LaPaglia of contributing to a false narrative that she was a “mean girl” by commenting online and amplifying rumors, despite stating they had never met in person.

Did Alex Cooper and Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia resolve their disagreement?

After Cooper shared alleged DMs to clarify her position, the two continued exchanging messages, though no public resolution has been declared.

Is there any legal restriction preventing Alix Earle from speaking publicly about Alex Cooper?

No. Cooper stated in her April 13, 2026 TikTok that there is no NDA or other barrier stopping Earle from addressing their issues directly.