A Battle Over Female Ambition
The public feud between influencers Alex Cooper and Alix Earle highlights shifting cultural attitudes toward female ambition and the 'girlboss' era. The article examines how online audiences react to competitive behavior between prominent women in the digital space.
Why it matters
It reflects broader societal tensions regarding how women are expected to navigate power, competition, and public perception in the social media age.
What the case of Alix vs. Alex reveals about the type of woman we tolerate online
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty; Stephanie Augello / Variety / Getty. July 28, 2026, 11:03 AM ET Share Save W hose side are you on ? You have to choose—Alex or Alix—even though you don’t know what the fight is about. Even if you don’t even know who these women are.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in