By Krystie Lee Yandoli. The dramatic split between the two co-hosts, who were best friends and roommates, divided fans of the show and sparked major backlash online. Cooper ultimately wanted to stick with Barstool, putting the two women at odds and leading to the demise of their podcast and friendship. On a professional and a personal level, it was a difficult time for Franklyn, she told Rolling Stone in an extensive sit-down interview, having to mourn the loss of both the business and brand she helped build as well as her relationship with Cooper, someone she said she thought was going to stand by her on her wedding day and be the godmother to her children.
At the height of the internet vitriol against Franklyn, she left her shared New York City apartment with Cooper to stay with family in Utah, take a break from the public eye, and contemplate what was next for her. But people with opposing views were so vocal on so many different platforms that were so ginormous, and I think even when I came back and kind of spoke my piece, there were pieces missing. All these years later, Franklyn reflected that the hardships she experienced in helped her grow, gain more insight into the entertainment business, and learn important lessons about navigating work contracts as a woman in a male-dominated industry and world.
The other form of culture shock, she said, was being a woman working in a predominantly male space that catered toward a mostly male audience.
It was maybe a little bit intimidating in the beginning stages, but I think for some reason I feel very comfortable around guys. Behind the scenes, Franklyn and Cooper were arguing about the role they each played on the podcast and the future trajectory of the show. Up until that point, she said she was under the impression that she and Cooper were on the same page about not wanting to waver on certain elements of their new contract with Barstool.
I thought [Cooper was my] best friend, sister, and we are not hiding anything. We need to protect ourselves. Representatives for Cooper declined to comment for this story.
