Entertainment

Alex Cooper’s Unwell to launch reality competition sequel on YouTube

The premiere of "Unwell Summer Games" comes amid corporate expansion, external investment, and negative reports concerning staff turnover.

Updated Aug 31, 2026 · 13:55 UTC1 reports

The short version

Unwell is launching "Unwell Summer Games" on YouTube on Sept. 7, featuring 16 creators and reality stars competing for a $250,000 prize.
The launch follows a $500 million valuation of Unwell after an investment from WTSL, as well as plans to shut down its branded beverage line.
The company's expansion occurs alongside recent media reports detailing employee turnover and allegations of workplace misbehavior.

Alex Cooper’s media brand, Unwell, will launch "Unwell Summer Games" on YouTube on Sept. 7.[The Hollywood Reporter]
The four-day competition was filmed at a luxury ranch in Canada and features 16 internet personalities and reality stars competing for a $250,000 cash prize.[The Hollywood Reporter]
On Aug. 12, Unwell announced an investment from WTSL, a Silver Lake-backed firm led by Patrick Whitesell, which valued Unwell at $500 million.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Bloomberg reported that Cooper’s branded beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co., is scheduled to close later this year.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Reports from Bloomberg and Vanity Fair have highlighted staff turnover and alleged that co-CEO Matt Kaplan yelled at and berated staff, including during the filming of the predecessor show, "Unwell Winter Games."[The Hollywood Reporter]
In response to the reports, Cooper defended the company's growth as a startup and advised the public not to "believe everything that you read on the internet."[The Hollywood Reporter]