sexual harassment

Alex Cooper, the host of the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy,” has come forward with serious allegations of sexual harassment against her former college soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. In her new docuseries, “Call Her Alex,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8 and will be available for streaming on Hulu starting June 10, Cooper shares her unsettling experiences during her time playing for Boston University’s women’s soccer team from 2013 to 2015. In the documentary, Cooper, now 30, describes how Feldman began to exhibit a concerning fixation on her during her sophomore year. She recalls feeling “deeply uncomfortable” as the coach made inappropriate comments about her personal life and body, often insisting on spending time alone with her. Cooper explained that the situation felt confusing and overwhelming, stating, “[It] was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body and her always wanting to be alone with me.” One particularly troubling incident involved Feldman insisting on driving Cooper to her night class alone, which left Cooper feeling trapped. “It was this psychotic game of, ‘You want to play? Tell me about your sex life,’” she recounted. Despite the discomfort and fear she experienced, Cooper felt unable to speak out at the time due to the pressure of being on a full-tuition scholarship. “If I didn’t follow this woman’s rules, I was gone,” she said. Following the allegations, Cooper confided in her parents, who sought legal advice. However, they were informed that pursuing a case against the university could result in a lengthy and arduous process. Cooper also mentioned that when she presented written documentation of her encounters with Feldman to Boston University officials, no action was taken. During a Q&A session after the premiere of her docuseries, Cooper expressed her frustration with the system, stating, “I want to tell women to come forward and say it, but I did, and I wasn’t believed, and then it took me a decade.” She emphasized the importance of sharing her story, despite the challenges she faced, noting, “I’m not ashamed that it took me 10 years… It’s really opened my eyes to how difficult the system is, and it’s so built against us as women.” Cooper graduated from Boston University in 2017 with a degree in film and television. Feldman, who coached the university’s women’s soccer team for 27 years, retired from the athletics department in 2022. In light of Cooper’s allegations, Us Weekly has reached out to both Boston University and Feldman for comments. As a prominent figure in the podcasting world, Cooper’s revelations have sparked conversations about the treatment of women in sports and the importance of believing survivors. Her story resonates with many who have faced similar challenges, and she hopes to encourage others to speak out against harassment and abuse. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for support and resources.