Digest

Cole Sprouse, known for his roles in "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" and "Riverdale," joins Alex Cooper on "Call Her Daddy" for a candid conversation about his life and career. The episode delves into his early acting experiences, the impact of his parents' divorce, and the challenges of navigating fame at a young age. Sprouse shares his perspective on the concept of "elected trauma," a term he uses to describe the potential negative consequences of sudden and significant success. He also discusses his struggles with public criticism, the importance of mental health, and his journey of self-discovery. The episode explores his relationships, including his strained relationship with his mother, his close bond with his father, and his current relationship, which he credits with helping him achieve sobriety and career success. Sprouse reflects on turning 30 and the delayed gratification of his generation, acknowledging the impact of economic challenges and the need for self-discovery. Throughout the conversation, Sprouse offers insightful reflections on the entertainment industry, the importance of vulnerability, and the transformative power of healthy relationships.

Outlines

00:00:00

Cole Sprouse's Perspective on Fame and the Entertainment Industry

Alex Cooper welcomes Cole Sprouse to Call Her Daddy, highlighting his private nature and expressing excitement for listeners to get to know him better. Cole praises the conversational nature of the podcast, finding it refreshing compared to the curated publicity space. He shares his experience showing up alone, contrasting with others who bring large entourages.

00:01:37

Cole Sprouse's Early Life and Acting Career

Alex and Cole delve into his early life, discussing his birth in Italy and subsequent moves to Switzerland and the US. Cole reveals his parents were teachers involved in a school/cult, and he shares his father's initial reaction to having twins. They discuss Cole and Dylan's early acting gigs, starting with diaper commercials at a young age. Cole explains the rationale behind their early acting careers, highlighting the financial necessity and the exploitation of twins in the industry.

00:05:28

Cole Sprouse's School Experiences and Bullying

Alex and Cole discuss Cole's elementary school experiences, exploring how he was treated as a child actor. Cole reveals that Dylan was a bully, leading to their difficult navigation of school. He shares how he became known as the twin who apologized for Dylan's actions, drawing parallels to his character in Zack and Cody.

00:07:41

Cole Sprouse's Parents' Divorce and Career Influences

Alex and Cole discuss Cole's parents' divorce, which occurred when he was very young. Cole shares a vivid memory of his parents together, highlighting his mother's fascination with the entertainment industry compared to his father's blue-collar approach. He explains how his father's grounded philosophy helped him avoid taking the industry too seriously.

00:10:22

The Impact of Early Success and the Trauma of Celebrity

Alex and Cole discuss the court battle for custody when Cole was 10, revealing his parents' differing views on their careers. Cole shares his belief that celebrity and success in a single generation can be a form of elected trauma, leading to vanity and narcissism. He reflects on his own experiences and the challenges of navigating fame at a young age.

00:13:37

Cole Sprouse's Relationship with His Father and the Sweet Life of Zack and Cody

Alex and Cole discuss Cole's close relationship with his father, who played a significant role in guiding him through the challenges of child acting. Cole shares how his father provided stability and support during his time on the Disney Channel, highlighting the show's positive impact on his life. He contrasts his experience with those of other Disney stars, suggesting that privilege can influence perspectives on the industry.

00:17:09

Cole Sprouse's Financial Struggles and the Turning Point with Sweet Life of Zack and Cody

Alex and Cole discuss Cole's financial struggles after his parents' divorce, revealing that they lost most of their earnings. Cole shares how the Sweet Life of Zack and Cody provided financial stability and a turning point in their lives, allowing them to move into their own house. He emphasizes the importance of financial independence and the impact it had on his family.

00:19:19

Cole Sprouse's Relationship with His Mother and the Impact of Her Mental Health

Alex and Cole discuss Cole's strained relationship with his mother, who struggled with addiction and mental instability. Cole shares his remorse for her situation but avoids blaming her, recognizing her artistic nature and the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry. He acknowledges the impact of her struggles on his life and his continued drive in the industry.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did Cole Sprouse's early acting career begin, and what were the motivations behind it?

  Cole and his twin brother Dylan started acting at a very young age, beginning with diaper commercials. Their mother needed an income, and twins were seen as a valuable asset in the industry due to their ability to double the work hours.

• What was Cole Sprouse's experience like in elementary school, and how did he navigate being a child actor?

  Cole's brother Dylan was a bully, making their school years difficult. Cole became known as the twin who apologized for Dylan's actions, drawing parallels to his character in Zack and Cody.

• How did Cole Sprouse's parents' divorce impact his life and career?

  Cole's parents had differing views on their careers, with his mother being more fascinated by the industry and his father taking a more grounded approach. The divorce led to a custody battle when Cole was 10, and his father's influence helped him avoid taking the industry too seriously.

• What are Cole Sprouse's thoughts on the impact of early success and the potential for trauma in the entertainment industry?

  Cole believes that sudden and significant success in a single generation can be a form of elected trauma, leading to vanity, narcissism, and instability. He reflects on his own experiences and the challenges of navigating fame at a young age.

• How did Cole Sprouse's relationship with his father help him navigate the challenges of child acting?

  Cole's father provided stability and support during his time on the Disney Channel, highlighting the show's positive impact on his life. He contrasts his experience with those of other Disney stars, suggesting that privilege can influence perspectives on the industry.

• What was Cole Sprouse's financial situation like after his parents' divorce, and how did the Sweet Life of Zack and Cody change things?

  Cole and his brother lost most of their earnings after the divorce, leading to financial struggles. The Sweet Life of Zack and Cody provided financial stability and a turning point in their lives, allowing them to move into their own house.

• How has Cole Sprouse's relationship with his mother impacted his life and career?

  Cole's mother struggled with addiction and mental instability, leading to a strained relationship. He shares his remorse for her situation but avoids blaming her, recognizing her artistic nature and the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry.

• How has Cole Sprouse dealt with public criticism and the challenges of maintaining a public persona?

  Cole acknowledges his people-pleasing nature and the impact of his relationship with his mother on his vulnerability. He shares his journey of self-work and therapy, recognizing the pain caused by criticism and the importance of recognizing the audience's role in contributing to negativity.

• How did Cole Sprouse and his brother navigate the transition from child actors to adults, and what were their experiences with identity crisis?

  Cole and his brother decided to attend college to establish their own identities outside of the public eye. Cole explains how the transition involved navigating an identity crisis and the pressure to be seen as mature. He contrasts their approach with other Disney stars who sought to publicly assert their adulthood through sexualization and other means.

• What were Cole Sprouse's experiences with relationships and navigating fame in the dating world?

  Cole shares a humorous and cringeworthy story about losing his virginity at 14. He reflects on his subsequent commitment to serial monogamy, highlighting his desire for deeper connections and his struggles with navigating fame in relationships. He shares his experiences with emotional and physical cheating, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and trust.

• How did Cole Sprouse navigate a breakup with a Riverdale castmate, and what were the challenges of ending a relationship with someone you work with?

  Cole acknowledges the challenges of navigating a relationship with someone you work with, particularly when dealing with the intensity of their work schedule and the pressures of fame. He reflects on the impact of their breakup and the importance of self-care in such situations.

• How has Cole Sprouse's current relationship impacted his life and well-being?

  Cole highlights the importance of compatibility and trust in his current relationship. He shares how his girlfriend has helped him grow and improve his life, leading to sobriety, self-reflection, and career success. He emphasizes the transformative power of a healthy relationship and the positive impact it has had on his overall well-being.

• What are Cole Sprouse's reflections on turning 30 and the delayed gratification of his generation?

  Cole contrasts his experiences with those of his father at the same age, acknowledging the delayed gratification of his generation compared to previous generations. He highlights the impact of economic challenges and the need for self-discovery. He expresses confidence and self-assurance, recognizing the growth he has experienced in his 30s.

Show Notes