Overview of Call Her Daddy with La La Anthony
In this Flashback Friday episode, Alex Cooper sits down with La La Anthony for a candid conversation about her rise from teenage intern to radio personality, MTV host, actress, producer, author, and advocate. The episode centers on La La’s career hustle, identity, friendship, motherhood, and what she learned from dating and marrying a professional athlete. She also opens up about healing after divorce, protecting her peace, and the importance of second chances.
La La Anthony’s Career Origin Story
How she got her start
- La La says her career began because she was obsessed with music and wanted to work around it.
- At 15, she got her foot in the door by lying about her age to land an internship at a radio station.
- She started with small tasks, but made herself indispensable by working hard and bringing personality.
From intern to on-air talent
- She eventually got on the radio, then moved to Los Angeles for a bigger opportunity.
- Her big break came when MTV reached out after hearing her on the radio.
- She was asked to interview someone on camera, brought in Tyrese, and impressed MTV enough to land a move to New York and a spot in the world of TRL.
Her mindset
- La La credits her success to:
- working relentlessly
- being confident even when she felt intimidated
- understanding that the job was bigger than status — it was about survival and supporting herself and her family
Dating an Athlete, Marriage, and Divorce
Being “the first lady of the NBA”
- Alex and La La discuss how visible and intense life becomes when dating a professional athlete.
- La La reflects on being labeled the “first lady of the NBA” and how much scrutiny came with that role.
- She says the New York spotlight made things especially hard and complicated.
What she learned from the relationship
- La La says she initially thought commitment would make things easier, but the stress only intensified.
- She says her gut often told her when something was off.
- Her biggest realization: if something feels consistently bad, don’t ignore it.
Why she ended the marriage
- La La explains that she knew it was time to walk away when:
- she no longer felt good in the relationship
- she felt sad, drained, and unloved
- boundaries were crossed
- She says her son was a major factor in staying strong and making the healthiest decision for their family.
Life after the divorce
- She says divorce taught her how strong she is.
- She admits her view of love has changed and that she sometimes feels discouraged about finding it again.
- Still, she tries to stay hopeful and believes in manifesting the right kind of love.
Friendship, Honesty, and Boundaries
What makes her a good friend
- La La describes herself as:
- loving
- emotionally open
- honest
- loyal and discreet
- She says her friends trust her because she gives advice from a place of love, not judgment.
How she handles friendship conflict
- Her rule: if a friendship no longer feels good, it may be time to step away.
- She believes a healthy friendship should add peace, not constant stress.
- She also stresses that close friends should be able to have honest conversations without jealousy or competition.
Her view on friendship advice
- She thinks many people need someone who can be real with them, even if the truth is hard to hear.
- At the same time, she believes people should be supported in making their own decisions.
Life, Identity, and Burnout
Maintaining her own identity
- La La says she has always worked hard to keep her own identity separate from any relationship.
- She believes everyone should have something personal that gives them purpose:
- a career
- a hobby
- a passion
- parenting
- charity work
Burnout and pressure
- She admits she often feels burnt out and struggles with balance.
- She talks about feeling guilty when she is not working.
- She also notes how social media can make everyone feel like they’re behind or not doing enough.
Her advice on social media and opinions
- La La says people have too much access to each other’s lives now.
- She believes everyone has an opinion, but most people don’t know the full story.
- Her advice: don’t let outside commentary drive your self-worth or your relationship decisions.
Advocacy and Second Chances
Work with incarcerated youth
- La La talks passionately about her work with young men in the correctional system, including time spent at Rikers and in the RNDC building.
- She mentions working with Pastor Tim Johnson and his initiative Fatherless No More.
- She says the work feels like a calling.
Why it matters to her
- As a mother to a teenage son, she sees these young men as kids who made one bad choice in tough circumstances.
- Her focus is on:
- mentorship
- second chances
- preparing them to reenter society successfully
- She says she wants them to leave with tools to become assets to their communities.
Notable Takeaways
- Fake it until you make it: La La repeatedly credits confidence and self-belief as essential to her success.
- Your gut matters: If a relationship consistently feels wrong, don’t ignore it.
- Friendship should feel safe: Honesty, loyalty, and no jealousy are non-negotiables.
- Protect your peace: Not every opinion on the internet deserves your attention.
- Have your own thing: Identity outside a relationship is crucial.
- Strength comes from survival: You often don’t realize how strong you are until strength is your only option.
Main Themes
Career
- Hustle, persistence, and adaptability
- Breaking into media from the ground up
- Reinventing yourself beyond one role
Relationships
- The pressure of dating famous athletes
- Learning to trust intuition
- Choosing peace over appearances
Growth
- Healing after divorce
- Staying grounded in motherhood
- Finding purpose in advocacy and service
Friendship
- Real honesty
- Loyalty and discretion
- Supporting friends without judgment
Closing Thought
This episode is ultimately about reinvention: La La Anthony shows how to build a life that doesn’t depend on a relationship, public perception, or one career lane. Her story is about resilience, self-trust, and choosing a future that feels healthier, even when it’s hard.