Aly & AJ: Disney & Dating Disasters (FBF)

Summary

Call Her Daddy: Aly & AJ - Disney & Dating Disasters (FBF)

Host: Alex Cooper
Guests: Aly & AJ Michalka
Release Date: May 29, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this throwback edition of Call Her Daddy, Alex Cooper sits down with sister-duo Aly & AJ Michalka. The conversation is a rich, unfiltered journey through their Disney days, sibling dynamics, dating disasters, lessons of growing up in the spotlight, heartbreaks, and their continued artistic and personal evolution. The sisters share candid stories from childhood fame, clarify long-held rumors, and dive deep into the realities of sisterhood, breakups, adult relationships, and creating music that’s true to themselves.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Bond and Sister Dynamic

[02:45–04:36]

• Aly & AJ reminisce about their close-knit upbringing, spa days, and how their relationship has evolved since Aly became a mom and moved an hour and a half away:
  • “We literally used to live, I’m not even kidding you… four minutes from each other... Now I’m like, an hour and a half.” – Aly [03:36]
• Discussion of traditional older/younger sister roles and how they often reversed, especially in their youth due to Aly’s shyness and AJ acting as her “translator.”
  • “She wants a turkey sub, no cheese and no mustard.” – AJ recounting [05:02]

Navigating Disney Fame & Child Stardom

[05:21–08:07]

• Aly’s first major gig was Disney’s "Phil of the Future," which brought sudden recognition and unique challenges:
  • “I got mobbed at this concert, and I was like, oh, people know me from this show.” – Aly [07:03]
• Despite fame, they maintained normalcy, crediting their parents for keeping them grounded and protected from Hollywood’s pitfalls.
  • “We weren’t the boss of our household, that’s for sure…” – AJ [12:44]
• Discussion on compensation and industry norms for child stars:
  • “I made, like, $7,000 per episode... That ain’t nothing, but for a kid show…” – Aly [11:50]

Family Influence & Staying Grounded

[12:33–13:14]

• Aly & AJ credit their parents for keeping them safe, present, and enforcing rules:
  • “Our parents were very, very clear...you’re not gonna go to some late afterparty with a bunch of adults when you’re underage.” – AJ [12:51]

Rumors & Disney What-Ifs

[14:03–15:38]

• Aly reveals she was offered Hannah Montana but turned it down due to concerns about identity confusion and the structure of the show:
  • “I just remember reading it and being like, wait, but I’m doing music as Aly…There would have been three versions.” – Aly [14:15]
• They clarify dating rumors, including AJ’s first kiss with Joe Jonas and myth-busting about secret on-set romances:
  • “Yes, that is true.” (on AJ’s first kiss with Joe Jonas) – AJ [16:00]
  • “No, no, no.” (on dating Phil of the Future co-star) – Aly [18:24]

Teenage Experimentation & Disney’s Strict Culture

[18:28–19:40]

• Aly & AJ were “not party girls,” and describe being known as responsible and “trusted” by club bouncers pre-21:
  • “They would just, like, mark our hand and they’d be like, we trust you.” – AJ [19:34]

Sisterhood & Career Competition

[20:02–22:08]

• They’ve never resented their “package deal” status; talk through handling overlapping auditions and different successes with rare competitiveness (except over crushes):
  • “If we, like, the same guy...” – Aly [22:39]
  • “Well, neither of us would get that guy.” – AJ [23:03]
  • Ally candidly recounts leaving her number for a cute waiter without telling AJ, leading to a classic sisterly spat. [23:24]

Romantic Relationships & Breaking Up

[30:46–34:04]

• AJ reveals she was once cheated on by a boyfriend with a close friend; the heartbreak was deeper from the friendship betrayal.
  • “It, like, blew up the friendship and the relationship.” – AJ [31:02]
• Aly shares she hasn’t been cheated on, but has often been the one broken up with, sometimes for reasons like her partner needing to “focus on their job.”
  • “I was being broken up with because this person was like, a professional athlete and was like, I need to work on my job, and, like, you’re a distraction.” – Aly [32:48]
• Advice: Rely on honest friends, and with time, you’ll realize breakups can be blessings.

Friendship "Breakups" & Adult Female Friendships

[35:09–36:48]

• Both have experienced friendships fading out (“let it simmer”) and also more direct “breakup conversations.”
  • “Sometimes, it’s not like this big, huge fight. Sometimes, it’s like I’m seeing some things about your lifestyle that doesn’t gel with mine...” – Aly [36:07]

Navigating Tricky Interpersonal Situations

[37:26–41:17]

• What do you do if you find out you were “the other woman” or a friend is cheating?
  • Both say they believe in reaching out with honesty, but deliver the message with care and brevity.
  • “I'm the type that would reach out.” – AJ [37:33]
• On learning of friends cheating on each other, the approach depends on who the “OG” friend is and how close the relationships are.

Parental Divorce & Its Impact

[55:04–58:31]

• Aly & AJ share the impact of their parents’ divorce at ages 19/21; AJ more directly internalized trust issues while dating, while Aly felt less affected.
  • “Immediately had this trigger...they’re gonna cheat...how could that happen after 23 years of marriage?” – AJ [56:42]
• They both still believe in marriage, noting the lesson: don’t solely focus on kids—work on the relationship itself.

Motherhood, Partnership, & New Musical Inspiration

[59:39–60:25 | 67:26–75:56]

• Aly describes striving for balance between her role as a new mom and as a partner, emphasizing little date nights and not losing sight of each other.
  • “Making moments where it can be the two of us… even if our kid is around.” – Aly [60:03]
• Their new album reflects recent changes (motherhood, moving, growing up) and incorporates themes of nostalgia, loss, hope, and reclaiming their artistry as women in their 30s.
  • “This record feels like it’s never been more us…we’ve really stepped into our womanhood on this album.” – Aly [67:26]
  • “Her water broke in, like, day two of, like, pre-production at her house.” – AJ [68:44]
  • “We wrote it about a really dear friend...Michael’s song.” – AJ [69:33]
  • “Any song about my son…” – Aly [70:36]
  • “What’s the shtick? It’s just, we’re sisters, we play music, we write. We’ve been doing this since you were young.” – Aly [75:41]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Sister Dynamics:

  • “It’s actually almost a diss to call it a friendship. It's like, no, this is living on another level.” – AJ [26:20]

• On “Potential Breakup Song”:

  • “There’s no real person… It’s the most anticlimactic.” – Aly [27:00]
  • “We just were like, what if there was a guy that was such a terror...he didn't even call you on your birthday?” – Aly [27:13]

• On Outgrowing Friendships:

  • “Some things don’t need, like, a spotlight.” – AJ [36:04]

• On Ageism in the Industry:

  • “We’re not here to break women in their 30s… we’re here to break pop stars.” – (Music executive, recounted by Aly) [74:00]
  • “I’m like, we’re not horses. Like, you don’t need to break us.” – AJ [74:48]

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Topic | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Spa habits & moving apart | 02:45–04:36 | | Disney days and Phil of the Future | 05:21–08:07 | | Childhood earnings and grounded upbringing | 11:43–13:14 | | Hannah Montana offer + Disney roles | 14:03–15:38 | | AJ’s first kiss with Joe Jonas | 16:00–17:03 | | Dating rumors & clarifications | 17:40–19:00 | | Friendship vs. career competition | 20:02–22:39 | | Boys they both liked, sisterly rivalry | 22:39–24:52 | | Aly’s breakup support from AJ | 25:26–26:00 | | Potential Breakup Song—making of | 26:26–27:54 | | Brutal breakups and moving on advice | 30:46–34:44 | | Handling friendship breakups | 35:09–36:48 | | “Other woman” and cheating ethics | 37:26–41:17 | | Parental divorce reflections | 55:04–59:19 | | Motherhood and partnership balance | 59:39–60:25 | | New album and single “What It Feels Like” | 67:06–69:45 | | Tackling industry ageism | 72:55–75:56 | | Songwriting themes and “Michael’s Song” | 69:33–70:36 |

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Lightning Round: Sister Superlatives

[63:16–66:32]

• Most bougie: AJ
• Best at keeping secrets: AJ (or both together against the world!)
• Quickest to start a fight: AJ (“I usually start something sooner…”)
• Apologizes first: AJ
• Pet peeve: Aly: AJ reorganizes her stuff. AJ: Aly starts requests with “Maybe you could…”

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Notable Messages & Takeaways

• Aly & AJ's story is a celebration of sisterhood, healthy boundaries, supporting one another, and staying true to artistic roots.
• Their advice, whether on heartbreak, friendship, or industry challenges, is honest, nuanced, and compassionate.
• Despite pressures for reinvention or conformity, their new music doubles down on authenticity and real life—demonstrating their growth and refusal to be “broken” by industry norms.

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“This record feels like it’s never been more us… we’ve really stepped into our womanhood on this album.” — Aly [67:26]

“If you want me to, or I could maybe… Ask the question and I’ll do it.” – AJ [65:20]

“I’m like, we’re not horses. You don’t need to break us. And also, we’ve broken.” – AJ [74:48]

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Transcript

[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Ally Brooke]

Same, same.

[Alex Cooper]

So happy to be here. So happy to be here. Okay, if you guys are not, like, touring, if you're not working, if you don't have all the chaos of your life, what is your most fun thing that you guys usually like to do together?

[Ally Brooke]

We're big, like, spa people, and we kind of have been since we were young. Like, we were, like, hanging out in a SPA at, like, 10 and 12, and we were just loving it. And our parents would be, like, I don't know, they just, like, love hot, dry saunas and getting massages.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, I love this for you guys.

[Ally Brooke]

So, like, spa.

[Alex Cooper]

So spa, Spa. Going to the spa. If you have a day off, you're going to the spa to get blankets.

[AJ Michalka]

That's our number one.

[Ally Brooke]

That's our number one. That or like, I mean, literally, it's like a movie, like, just on AJ's couch. Just, like, ordering in.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How, like, often do you guys hang out?

[AJ Michalka]

All the time.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, all the time.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, every day.

[AJ Michalka]

Well, no, because now that she's a

[Ally Brooke]

mom, so now that she's a mom,

[AJ Michalka]

it's not every day. And also, we don't live down the street from each other.

[Ally Brooke]

We literally used to live. I'm not even kidding. You, like, me in my car, four minutes from each other, driving to AJ's. Four minutes. I could walk to her house in, like, 20.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, how far now?

[Ally Brooke]

Now I'm like, an hour and a half.

[Alex Cooper]

What?

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, I know.

[Alex Cooper]

What happened?

[AJ Michalka]

Well, she had a kid.

[Ally Brooke]

I had a kid. Yeah, she's like. Well, like, really? We moved for, like, to be closer to my mom. My mom lives out in Santa Ynez, so we were like, okay, if we're closer to her, that will help with, you know, just, like, childcare or whatever. Of course. And then having more space, because the house that we live in, that we lived in in the canyon that we ended up renting out is, like, a super cool pad, but it's more like. It's for a couple. It's not really for a kid. So we. We ended up renting a place that just had more space. Like, so we kind of were just like, we'll see.

[AJ Michalka]

But we.

[Ally Brooke]

It's only an hour and a half.

[AJ Michalka]

I visit. It's not, like, every weekend.

[Alex Cooper]

Yes, but would you ever move?

[AJ Michalka]

I love Santa Barbara.

[Ally Brooke]

Okay.

[Alex Cooper]

You're happy in Santa Barbara?

[Ally Brooke]

She would.

[AJ Michalka]

I'd move there in a second. Okay.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. Okay. That makes me feel good.

[AJ Michalka]

I really would. I'm not ready yet. I really love where I am.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

But I think down the road, I would. I absolutely would. And I think it's a beautiful place to raise a son.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you guys play the typical, like, older, younger sister roles? Do you feel like. Or is there any that you're like, I don't act like a younger sister and older sister in this way.

[Ally Brooke]

I think they were swapped when we were younger.

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, really?

[Ally Brooke]

Kind of younger sister. And she was like, older sisters.

[AJ Michalka]

And then it switched.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, we always joke how when I was young, I was very shy and really shy, and I would have her just kind of. You were like my translator.

[AJ Michalka]

Literally, she would, like, nudge me. It's like. And I'd be like, she wants a turkey sub, no cheese and no mustard. No mustard, whatever. And it was like, literally, I would speak.

[Ally Brooke]

She, like, knew. It was very strange.

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, you got out of that, though.

[Ally Brooke]

I got out of it. And then I think it swapped to being like, okay, now you don't translate for me, but, yeah, you never did.

[Alex Cooper]

Never. But I think what's interesting is, like, obviously, you guys then, like, at a pretty young age, got into the spotlight. So, like, you don't think that a kid would be shy that then gets into, like, this industry. When Disney entered the conversation, were your parents at all, like, this is, like, too much. They ever try to talk you guys out of it?

[AJ Michalka]

No. At that point, we were fully in, like, sag, card in hand, doing commercial.

[Ally Brooke]

Well, not you.

[AJ Michalka]

Me.

[Ally Brooke]

Not me. Because I got my sad card was

[AJ Michalka]

still of the future.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah. So, like, I didn't even have, like, I. I mean, I knew the basics of, like, this is a mark and stuff, but I learned, like, everything on that set.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God. Wait, your first gig was Phil of the Future?

[Ally Brooke]

That was a kind of.

[Alex Cooper]

That's, like, kind of the biggest fact ever. Wait, what?

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, it's funny.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. When you guys, like, I obviously was thinking before I, like, sat down with you, I'm like, when you look back at that era, you think about, like, you think about. You guys, you think about Demi, you think about Miley, you think about Selena, you think about the Jonas Brothers. Like, when you were in the era that you were in, because it shaped so much of our childhood, I feel like. Did you guys realize it was that iconic in the moment, or did it literally just feel like work?

[AJ Michalka]

I think once cowbells hit, we knew.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. And I feel like when the music started happening on the channel and that was happening simultaneously with Phil, I think that's when we were like, oh, this is really, like, clicking with people. And I do remember going to. I don't know, I think. Were we with Hollywood Records at the time? I don't know. I don't think so.

[AJ Michalka]

Well, I think they signed us season two of the show.

[Ally Brooke]

It was season two, but I think season one of Phil of the future had been out. So, no, we weren't signed yet with Hollywood, but for whatever reason, we were invited to Hilary Duff's concert at, I think, the Forum or something. Oh, my God. And I think you were with me.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

And, like, I got mobbed at this concert, and I was like, yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Because season one had aired, it was weird.

[Ally Brooke]

It was like the first real time. I remember being like, oh, like, people know me from this show. And then it was just, you know, after that, it was still very. We had a very normal life. But I just remember being like, oh, people are stopping me because of this TV show.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God. If Hillary Duff concert, like, take me back. Oh, my God. Because I was going to ask, like, how your life changed with Phil the future, because I feel like that was a very, very, very big moment. And I feel like that some shows popped, some shows didn't. That one, I, like, feel like I watched every freaking episode, and it was so good.

[Ally Brooke]

Thank you. It did pop, but, like, we only did two seasons, which people kind of forget.

[Alex Cooper]

What?

[AJ Michalka]

Yes, that's it.

[Ally Brooke]

That's it.

[AJ Michalka]

I know.

[Ally Brooke]

It's a travesty. And then it got canceled.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, but how many episodes were in a season?

[Ally Brooke]

22, I think.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, that's also so different. Like, these days, it's like, six episodes.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah, that's a good point.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. But 20.

[AJ Michalka]

Still a lot of episodes.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. So it was only two.

[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[AJ Michalka]

Is this the unwell water?

[Alex Cooper]

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[AJ Michalka]

Okay, I'm trying it.

[Alex Cooper]

Give it a go. It's yummy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's yummy. It's basically like a better ideally version of like Pedialyte and Gatorade.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, that's really good.

[Alex Cooper]

It's good, right?

[Ally Brooke]

It's not sweet.

[Alex Cooper]

It's not. Oh my God. I did so many.

[AJ Michalka]

You don't have to tone it down.

[Ally Brooke]

Water.

[AJ Michalka]

Like Gatorade.

[Alex Cooper]

The mango is my. In college when I would play soccer, I would have to literally die, like, and I would do like half Gatorade, half water. My favorite currently is the mango that you're currently holding.

[AJ Michalka]

And this one is orange hibiscus. Orange hibiscus.

[Ally Brooke]

Oh, that is good.

[Alex Cooper]

It's good, right? I know.

[Ally Brooke]

I think the Mango is maybe.

[Alex Cooper]

The mango is the best. My favorite. It's my favorite currently.

[AJ Michalka]

This is Orange Viscous. I like the mango.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, it's great. Okay, so back to. Because I was. Thank you so much. Because I was thinking about you guys, and, like, now that I'm, like, a businesswoman and obviously, like, you guys can share what you want, but I was thinking about you guys, and I'm like, you were so young, and you guys looked like you were at the top of the world. But, like, when you look back financially, did you feel like, as kids, you were compensated correctly? I don't know if that's, like, a fair thing to say.

[Ally Brooke]

I don't think you would have known

[AJ Michalka]

anything to compare it to.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, I don't think it's crazy when

[AJ Michalka]

you have a job that young, of course.

[Ally Brooke]

And in a strange way, like, any money that you're making, of course, seems, like, great, but, like, I made, like, $7,000 per episode on.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, that's not good.

[Ally Brooke]

That ain't nothing. Like, do you know what I mean?

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. That is interesting, because I don't know

[Ally Brooke]

what that would equate to today, but, like, true, right? But I guess for a kid show, you're kind of like, that's great. That could go into their college fund. Like.

[Alex Cooper]

And how did you guys handle it with your parents? Because obviously, I remember we were standing in the hallway of my tour, and I looked at you guys, and I was like, how did you guys just stay so normal? And you guys are, like, so lovely. I feel like you guys are, like, my girlfriends from back home. And the unfortunate side of the industry, I feel like we've all seen is, like, so many of these kids, whether it was like the parents were abusing the power and taking the kids money, the parents were forcing the kids.

[AJ Michalka]

We saw it all the time.

[Alex Cooper]

The parents didn't help the kids, so they were just kind of by themselves on set.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, they're just, like, dropped off and left with the teacher.

[Alex Cooper]

Right?

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

What attributed to you guys staying so grounded throughout this whole process?

[AJ Michalka]

Well, I can tell you we weren't the boss of our household, that's for sure. Like, just because we were working did not put us at the top. Like, we were the kids.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Um, and then second, like, our parents were very, very clear about, like, yeah, you can go to this event, you can promote this project, but, like, you're not gonna go to, like, some late after party with a bunch of adults when you guys are underage. Like, I just feel like when you're younger you can kind of get away if you're in the industry, but just rolling into every situation.

[Alex Cooper]

Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

And you're like a little mini adult, even though you really shouldn't be.

[AJ Michalka]

It's not really the time and place for that time in your life. Like, you just shouldn't be at those kind of things at that age.

[Alex Cooper]

Like a.

[AJ Michalka]

You know what I mean?

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

I think our parents were very.

[Ally Brooke]

They were pretty strict, and, like, our mom was on set with us, like, amazing. If she needed to be somewhere for you, and I was, like, on set, she would be gone to, like, get you to the audition and then would be, like, straight back on set. You know that.

[Alex Cooper]

I feel like that's, like, the biggest key, that when kids come out now, it's like there's this, like, missing element, which was kind of like the parental figures.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

And like, to give the parental opportunity to people that weren't the actual parents.

[Ally Brooke]

Totally.

[Alex Cooper]

They are just looking at these kids like they're cash cows. And really, your own parent, hopefully, would be the one to be like, no, no, no. I need to have some guidelines for my kids.

[AJ Michalka]

Right.

[Alex Cooper]

Is it true that you were going to possibly be Hannah Montana?

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, yeah, I. I mean, it's funny.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, you had the offer.

[Ally Brooke]

I had the offer. And it was. Phil hadn't ended at that point. It was like, they knew that Phil, I think, was on the way out or told us, like, you know, we might not be doing a third season. And. And Gary, who, you know, was the head of. Of the channel, Garry Marsh at the time.

[AJ Michalka]

And Rich.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Was like, this pilot has come in, and we think that you're really perfect for it. And I just remember reading it and being like, wait, but I'm doing music as Ali. And this might be really confusing being Hannah and being the character also playing Hannah. There actually would have been three versions. Three versions.

[Alex Cooper]

There would be three of them.

[AJ Michalka]

It would be very confusing.

[Ally Brooke]

And I was like, you know, how does AJ relate to this? And then they literally said, well, then AJ could play the best friend part. Lily, I think. Yeah. So they were like, why don't you have. And I was like, but it feels like it's my show. It's not really like the Hannah and Lily show. And I think at that point, too, I was probably, like, close to being maybe 17 at that point, which is funny, too, because, like, we weren't on the channel for that long. Like, I. I booked Phil at 13, and then by the time it was over, I was like, you know, whatever, 16 and a half or something. So I was, like, almost 17, I think, when that was offered. And I just remember thinking, like, I've kind of done what I wanted to do here on the channel. You know what I mean?

[AJ Michalka]

We had done Cowbells. The music had aired a lot.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

On Disney Channel, I guess. Cowbells, we were just starting to, like, dive into, because.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, I did.

[Alex Cooper]

You're right. I mean, obviously, like, that was meant to be for Miley, but that's so interesting how, like, those pivotal moments, obviously, like, everyone was kind of up for certain roles that, like, it would have looked so different with you guys in that position versus her, obviously. Okay. Is it true, aj, that you had your first kiss with Joe Jonas?

[AJ Michalka]

Yes, that is true.

[Alex Cooper]

Bring up all the old stuff. I'm like, we got to go through it.

[AJ Michalka]

We got to go through a bowling alley. It was so innocent way a bowling alley. It was sweet.

[Alex Cooper]

That's so cute. And did you guys, like, date for a long time?

[AJ Michalka]

We dated for a while. I don't.

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, for, like, a young relationship, like, over a year is pretty good and a half.

[Alex Cooper]

Something like that.

[Ally Brooke]

That's pretty solid.

[Alex Cooper]

That's a really long time. Yeah. I feel like I was so curious, like, all of you guys were on such, like, different shows, but, like, this was kind of your high school experience.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

So, like, how did you guys all hang out and, like, meet on different shows? Like, what was the social dynamic like?

[AJ Michalka]

Well, we met on tour, so the Jonas Brothers opened for us, and that's when we started. Like, there was, like, a spark, and I was like, oh, this would be fun. Like, we started dating on that, trying

[Ally Brooke]

to make, like, something happen with, like, me and Kevin. Kevin. And I was like, it's not really vibing. And then, I mean, bless. But, like.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

And then it was like, no, maybe you can, like, date the bass player, Greg. And I was like, no, it's still not vibing. And I mean, like, again, bless him, too. But of course. But it just wasn't. I was. I was like, no, you can't, like, force that. You can't force it. It was, like, natural. That's. We were all buddies.

[Alex Cooper]

Of course we were.

[AJ Michalka]

And it was a really fun tour, but I think beyond that. So, like, for me, it's like we were homeschooled our whole lives. We didn't experience school dances. We didn't. But instead, we had tour, like, at a really young age. Like, to me, I wouldn't trade any of it because I'm like, our experiences on the road were so cool. And it's actually why I love touring as an adult, because I think it was ingrained in me at a young age that it was a really cool opportunity to have this moment to connect with your fans every now.

[Ally Brooke]

And it's not jarring to, like, go on the road. And I love it. It's very natural.

[AJ Michalka]

I think some people dive in as an adult, and they're like, I don't want to be on the road. And we're like, we love it. Bring it on.

[Alex Cooper]

But you're like, this is all we ever know.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah. It's weird.

[AJ Michalka]

So anyway, I wouldn't. Yeah, there's nothing I would really trade back. I just. No, no.

[Alex Cooper]

That's an amazing answer. Okay. Did you secretly date your Phil of the future co star for six years?

[Ally Brooke]

No.

[AJ Michalka]

Wait, who said that?

[Ally Brooke]

That's funny. Is this something online?

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, rumors online that you secretly dated Phil of the future co star for six years?

[AJ Michalka]

I literally can att even kissed you guys. Didn't even.

[Ally Brooke]

It was always a friendship now. Although I remember, like, he's also older than you. Well, and in that. That age range felt huge. Like, I was 13, and I think he was 16, I think.

[Alex Cooper]

And that is huge.

[Ally Brooke]

But I remember during the test, like, when I tested for Phil the future, and I saw that he was the other boy that was up for. I was like, he's really cute.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

And then, of course, you meet them, and then you're like, oh, now we're just buddies. And, like, we actually became really good

[AJ Michalka]

friends with his girlfriend during that show. Like, he was dating.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, that is true. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Sweet.

[Ally Brooke]

So. No, no, no.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. We're clearing up all the rumors.

[Ally Brooke]

That is so funny.

[Alex Cooper]

Years and years later. Okay. Obviously, we know Disney was, like, very strict now that, like, everyone kind of, like, knows the deal. Were you able to experiment at all, like normal teenagers? Like, have your first drink and, like, go to parties at all or. No.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

[Alex Cooper]

You did.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah. I feel like we had a healthy, like, teenage life. Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

Even, like. But we were, like, not party girls. Like, for whatever that's worth.

[AJ Michalka]

The channel got very lucky having us under the umbrella.

[Ally Brooke]

In a weird way, we should have been around for, like, 15 years because they would have been like, they're good. We don't need to be worried.

[AJ Michalka]

No, it's true.

[Alex Cooper]

Keep going.

[Ally Brooke]

Like. Yeah. For whatever reason, we just were not, like, rebellious types, both of us. And I think maybe part of it was because we had each other.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

So it was like, we didn't have to act out and prove ourselves to, like, our parents. Or it was just kind of nice. I don't know.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, no, you're right. I don't even know what it is. It's like, luck.

[Ally Brooke]

I feel like maybe it's just luck,

[AJ Michalka]

but also, like, Ally and I. This sounds kind of ridiculous, but when we got a little older, but we weren't quite, like, drinking age, people, like, kind of in LA started, like, trusting us as the girls that would, like, go into ladue but not get, like, let them in.

[Ally Brooke]

They can have a. Like, we knew some of the bouncers

[AJ Michalka]

and they would just, like, mark our hand and they'd be like, we trust you.

[Alex Cooper]

They're like, get them some red one.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm not kidding.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, they're fine.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, they're never gonna be a liability.

[Ally Brooke]

No, like, truly. And we kind of. I mean, and that was during the height of all of those girls. Don't ruin your mom. Coming out of the club must do it, right? But, like, we were just fine. You're like, hi.

[Alex Cooper]

I will just be like, no problem. In the corner.

[AJ Michalka]

Like a kiss. Kiss ass. It was just like, who we were.

[Alex Cooper]

Who we were, I think, is which.

[Ally Brooke]

I think then may people be like, oh, my gosh, you're so darling. The Machaka girl is like, they're just harmless, sweet. Yeah, that's pretty funny.

[Alex Cooper]

Everyone knows you guys as Ali and aj, right? Like, everyone. It's Ali and aj. It's Allie and aj. Have you guys ever resented that package deal concept?

[Ally Brooke]

No, I think we've always.

[AJ Michalka]

The duo aspect.

[Ally Brooke]

No, we've never resented that. I think the only thing that maybe we've been like, gosh, I wish we had had, like, a different band name. It wasn't our name. We didn't think it was cool.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, as kids, we were like, why did we do the Ali and AJ thing?

[Ally Brooke]

Because now it's just our names.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, it's very memorable.

[AJ Michalka]

But no, the duo thing didn't bug us.

[Alex Cooper]

Didn't.

[Ally Brooke]

No, no.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, when you guys were growing up at all, obviously taking different projects and if, like, one was having more success than the other at a time, like, how did you guys handle that as sisters? Because I have a sister and I don't care what we're doing. Like, we were competitive.

[AJ Michalka]

You know what I mean?

[Alex Cooper]

And, like, we are always supportive of each other. But I do feel like, naturally there can be moments where it's like, oh, like, you're getting the better parts or you're getting the better rules, or, like, did you ever have moments where you had to, like, sit down and be like, let's talk this out?

[AJ Michalka]

I think the only time where we felt like, okay, we're getting asked to go out for the same roles, and. And we feel really strongly that one of us is really right for this. And would you mind standing down? Like, I think there were a couple times when we both got the same

[Ally Brooke]

audition, but usually one of us would come to the other and be like, I'm really not ready for this. You should just go out for this,

[AJ Michalka]

and I'm just gonna pass, and the other one wouldn't. That's happened before where we've just, like, said, okay, fine, you go for it. Like, by the way, it would never

[Ally Brooke]

be between us, but it would never be down to the two of us.

[AJ Michalka]

Our acting is so different.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. I think our ages, our looks, our energy, like.

[AJ Michalka]

But we did get asked sometimes to

[Ally Brooke]

go to the same audition, and I think some of that was just because of, like, I don't know, Some. Some parts kind of would overlap.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

It's like, you know, 20 to 22 to 25. And we're like.

[AJ Michalka]

But there was never a role specifically where I was like, wow, I really wish that had been me. And, like, I kind of bombed. It was out, like, never. Like, for me, it was like, I thought it was so cool that she was, like, an easy A and hellcats and, like, she's done great work. And it always felt like it should be Ally. You know what I mean?

[Alex Cooper]

I mean, that's a true.

[AJ Michalka]

And I always want to be her over anyone else. So if I'm not gonna book it.

[Alex Cooper]

Right.

[Ally Brooke]

That'd be great. Rather than be a family member.

[Alex Cooper]

No, that's such, like, a healthy way to look at it, because that has a sister. I'm like, I want my sister twin always. And I think there's. You're right. There's like, a natural. Also, like, aside from competitiveness, you're also very protective of your sibling. Being like, I want her to do the best, but I also think it's very, like, healthy that you guys are able to have that. Because I'm not in the same industry as my sister. Like, I can't imagine at some capacity, you guys are intertwined, and there is a slight competition in light moments that. But that's kind of healthy that you guys are like, we didn't feel it that much.

[Ally Brooke]

No, no. And, like, if anything, where it was. I mean, I guess you could call it competitive. It would be like, if we, like, the same Guy.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, yeah, let's talk about that.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, that would happen.

[Ally Brooke]

That would happen every once in a while.

[Alex Cooper]

You guys had the same taste growing up.

[AJ Michalka]

Similar, right?

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, similar, I would say. Yeah. Our tastes were very similar.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

What are you guys adjusting now? You're like, I know, I know.

[AJ Michalka]

Adjusting.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, stop. So you guys at one point would, like, have a crush, and how would you handle it?

[AJ Michalka]

Well, neither of us would get that guy.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, we just like. Yeah, neither of us. We just both would be like, we

[AJ Michalka]

both liked him and both of us fell or like.

[Ally Brooke]

I remember. This is funny that you asked this. We were making a record in New York, one that never ended up coming out. And we have 10 of those. Just one.

[Alex Cooper]

But you're like, one day, maybe they'll come out.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, two. And we were. We were feeling very cool that you were like, you know, living in New York for like, a month, no parents, you know, I don't know. At this point, we were like, 21 and 22 and 20. Right. And every night we were really obsessed with wanting to go out to all of these restaurants in New York where like, sometimes it didn't even make sense. Where it's like, girl, that's way on the other side of town. That's a 30 minute. You're from Los Angeles and you don't know shit. So we would be like, okay, we're going to catch or whatever. And we went to this one restaurant called Revel. I don't know why I remember that. How do you remember that? And there was a cute guy that was our waiter, and I left my number for him on the bill. And I told aj and she was like, what?

[AJ Michalka]

I was pissed. We left the restaurant. I was like, he was cute. And she's like, I know. I left my number. And I was like, like, what? Like, you mean I could have. And I didn't like.

[Ally Brooke]

And almost judging me that I had done that, you know, and, like, put my, like, put my neck out. So dumb. Obviously, this guy never texted. Rude.

[AJ Michalka]

So you never called, so.

[Alex Cooper]

Right.

[AJ Michalka]

Meanwhile, I don't need to be competitive because I didn't worry you either.

[Alex Cooper]

We. I'm obsessed. And did you guys ever, ever, ever hook up with the same person at any point in your lives? Like, overlap of, like, years later you met up with someone.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, same kiss or.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, no, no.

[Ally Brooke]

Now there's been a couple, like, close calls. Yeah. Where it was like, I liked that guy kind of. And then it was like, oh, no. Like, AJ and him are kind of dating. And then it would be like, over

[AJ Michalka]

after or there was a moment where I, like, tested for something and the leading guy I thought was really cool. And then Ally actually ended up dating him later. Yeah, but it wasn't like a. I was also with him.

[Ally Brooke]

No, no. There's never been an actual crossover. No, thank God. I mean, that would be kind of weird. We're so enmeshed in each other's lives already.

[Alex Cooper]

I know. It's like you're literally like one in that concept. Like when I talk about. Because my sister's four years older than me and we've never dated the same guy.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

But even talk about it incessantly with each other. Like, when you start dating something, obviously. So it's like, I couldn't go to her if I knew that she liked the guy that I was sitting.

[Ally Brooke]

And she knows all the inside.

[AJ Michalka]

How do you detail it out? She's like, I know I spent with

[Alex Cooper]

a friend because with a family member, I would be like, katherine, you need to get over it because I need to tell you everything. She'd be like, okay, he was cute, but now I'm over. Okay, go tell me everything.

[AJ Michalka]

Right.

[Ally Brooke]

She did one time help. Like, literally held my hand while I broke up with the guy over the phone. I'm not kidding you. She was like, do you remember that? It was in Calabasas. You were like, you can do it.

[AJ Michalka]

I did.

[Ally Brooke]

And I'm like, on the phone with him, being like, I really don't. This isn't right. Like, I. And I'm like.

[AJ Michalka]

And I'm like, you got it.

[Alex Cooper]

No, that is, like, literal.

[Ally Brooke]

That's also so.

[AJ Michalka]

I mean, that just brought me back to that bedroom.

[Ally Brooke]

Is that funny?

[AJ Michalka]

Calabasas.

[Ally Brooke]

Calabasas. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

No, they were Calabasas kids before I roll. Way before it was cool.

[Alex Cooper]

Love that for you guys bring those.

[Ally Brooke]

The Johnny Rockets. You know, I mean, like, we're that far.

[Alex Cooper]

I love that for you, we breaking up with someone is the worst feeling. The worst.

[AJ Michalka]

It's sickening.

[Alex Cooper]

It's so hard.

[AJ Michalka]

It's actually sick.

[Alex Cooper]

But that's why, like, people. Whenever I'm like, it's. There's nothing better than having a sister. And it's. I feel for my friends that are like, I never had a sister. I don't know what it's like. It's like it's a friendship on steroids. Like, you are literally going to kill for her.

[Ally Brooke]

And it's different than a brother completely.

[AJ Michalka]

It's actually almost a diss to call it a friendship. It's like, no, this Is living on another level.

[Ally Brooke]

That's a great point.

[Alex Cooper]

It's like an extension of yourself.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

It's so fun hearing you guys talk about your dynamic together. And obviously so much of what you're writing also goes into, like, love and your life and your family and. Yeah. But potential breakup song. I just have to ask the one question because I think it's like, I saw Tick Tock. We're gonna. We have to make this tick Tock. And it's someone being like. You guys remember when those two sisters walked into the studio and they really said they know to this day still such an anthem. What inspired that song? No, you're not a real.

[Ally Brooke]

Not a real person. Like, it's actually the most. Like, it's the most ant. Climactic.

[Alex Cooper]

There's no real person. I need to pause, you guys, because the way you both just pause. I thought I was about to get,

[AJ Michalka]

like, juicy now and you're sorry.

[Alex Cooper]

It doesn't exist. It doesn't exist. Okay, tell me, though.

[Ally Brooke]

I think we just were like, what if there was a guy that was such a ter? Like, I mean, at this point we were 18 and maybe younger 17 and. And 15 writing this song, which we

[AJ Michalka]

had, but, like, very.

[Ally Brooke]

At this point we had probably each had. You would have probably two boyfriends. I barely had one boyfriend because I was way behind. She was behind her.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay.

[Ally Brooke]

So, like, I'm like, she was behind.

[Alex Cooper]

She was behind me.

[Ally Brooke]

So still, a lot of the songs were, like, living in a dream world of what we thought a relationship was like because we were still really young. So to us, it was like, what if this guy was, like, so terrible that he didn't call you on your birthday and that you begged him to get your stuff back and he, like, wouldn't give it back and then you just had to deliver it in a box at your house?

[AJ Michalka]

Literally. That's like.

[Ally Brooke]

It's that.

[Alex Cooper]

It's literally like you two sitting on your bed together being like, genius.

[Ally Brooke]

Let's. Let's go. But what's funny though is that no guys drive.

[AJ Michalka]

Not a real deal.

[Ally Brooke]

I do remember we were young. We were young enough that we couldn't drive.

[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

And now I just have them in

[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

We've got a lot of girlies that listen. How did you get through it? What was your most like, brutal breakup and how you got through it? Obviously like, like we're not naming names, but just like the concept. Like, have either of you ever been cheated on? I mean, you age.

[AJ Michalka]

You go first. Yeah, I was cheated on.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you.

[AJ Michalka]

I found out the guy was like hooking up with our really good friend at the time.

[Ally Brooke]

No.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you find out?

[AJ Michalka]

It, like, blew up the friendship and the relationship.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

I don't even know how it came out, but it happened in the Calabasas Commons parking lot.

[Adrianna]

Stop.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. And it was like.

[AJ Michalka]

And we were young, so it was like. Obviously it hits hard. No matter what age you are, when you feel like, wow, I've been completely.

[Ally Brooke]

But this was like a friendship. This was like a friendship. A girl friends. That was. Was basically the breakup. It wasn't like the guy, if that makes sense. It was like we had found out some stuff about her that made us feel like we didn't really know who she was.

[AJ Michalka]

And we had been friends with her for, like, a long time.

[Ally Brooke]

And that was truly the. The worst breakup. And it was a girlfriend breakup.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

That's.

[Alex Cooper]

Those.

[Ally Brooke]

Now we're.

[AJ Michalka]

And then we mended. Like, we're okay now.

[Ally Brooke]

See her at a different. Or whatever. We, like, we'll DM and stuff, but we don't, like, hang actively, which is kind of sad because it was a big part of our childhood.

[Alex Cooper]

But, like, that is so the guy.

[AJ Michalka]

That guy was like. Like, didn't even matter.

[Ally Brooke]

Right.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like.

[AJ Michalka]

It's just the concept of what happened

[Alex Cooper]

with the friendship that's always the worst when, like, understandably, people are like, don't blame the girl, blame the guy. And it's like, no, no, for sure. But if you were almost closer with the girl than the guy that you were dating.

[Ally Brooke]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

That's where it's like, how do you recover from those moments? And then it gives you, like, full trust issues because you're like, how did I not know that? And you could, like, hold my hand while I'm crying over this. And little do I know I'm crying because of you.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. That's sick.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. Ally, go.

[AJ Michalka]

I know.

[Ally Brooke]

Okay. I'm trying to think, gosh, worst.

[AJ Michalka]

You haven't been cheated on, have you?

[Ally Brooke]

I haven't been cheated on.

[Alex Cooper]

That's nice.

[Ally Brooke]

Which is actually good. That is for you.

[Alex Cooper]

That's good.

[Ally Brooke]

I know. That's.

[Alex Cooper]

That's good. That's good.

[Ally Brooke]

I don't know what.

[Alex Cooper]

That's all. Clap for that. No trauma.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, no trauma. I. I'm trying to think of. Hmm. I mean, I've had guys. I've. I've had more guys probably break up with me than me break up with them.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay.

[Ally Brooke]

So I've been broken up with probably quite a bit.

[Alex Cooper]

Have you been blindsided by the breakups?

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, I feel like I was blindsided many times.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, not many, but. But But a lot of them, it was like, you know, I was being broken up with because this person was like, a professional athlete and was like, I need to work on my job. And, like, you're a distraction.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm like, I need to work on

[Ally Brooke]

my tour bus right now. You're a distraction.

[Alex Cooper]

I need to work on my job.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, I know.

[AJ Michalka]

Ridiculous.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you know where you're gonna direct quote?

[Ally Brooke]

No.

[Alex Cooper]

No. That is the best direct quote I've ever heard, a professional athlete telling you, I have to work on my job. We. You know that I talk a lot about that. Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

We. How long did you date?

[Ally Brooke]

It wasn't that long, but it was very, like, that was like, a solid year. May. Maybe. Maybe a little. I don't even know what sport. Hockey.

[Alex Cooper]

Football.

[Adrianna]

Football.

[Ally Brooke]

I remember being really heartbroken by that. Now I'm looking back on it being like.

[Alex Cooper]

But to any of the girls that are like. Like, I feel like around New Year, a lot of people end relationships because I feel like everyone's like, oh, my gosh, Like, I want to start fresh. I want to kick this person to the curb, or I want to, like, try something different. Like, do you have any advice when you look back at those relationships, when people ended things with you, as hard as it was in the moment, now when you look back, like, give us some advice of how to get through those horrible blindsiding moments.

[Ally Brooke]

Honestly, like, having a couple really solid guy friends was really helpful. Like, I would talk to them about this, and they'd be like, this guy's a total loser. Like, absolutely not. And. And, you know, of course, you could say, I know exactly what you're saying, that they want to get with you. But these were, like, truly platonic, even if they do.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay.

[Ally Brooke]

But they were platonic relationships that were really, like, I would.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

I would be on the phone, like, talking to Dan. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

I knew you were going to say,

[Ally Brooke]

I can't even believe this. And he'd be like, this is an absolute sign that this guy is not right for you. And, like, he was only in it because he just wanted to, like, sleep with you and be done and over.

[Alex Cooper]

And you're like, thank you, Dan.

[Ally Brooke]

Thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Now let's hook up. No, I'm just kidding.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, totally.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. Daddy gang needs some advice. And I feel like all I'm getting from this entire episode is you guys are very wise, and you've always been wise, and you've always been, like, little Yodas. No, literally, like, you guys. No. But actually, you guys have been, like, people would let you into the club because they're like, ali and AJ are going to keep it real. You guys didn't lose yourself to fame. You didn't. You guys have, like, seemingly very normal lives, and you're still so successful and you're still in the spotlight. So we need your advice. Okay.

[AJ Michalka]

Okay.

[Alex Cooper]

You want to end a friendship where you've been drifting apart. Do you have a breakup conversation with your friend, or do you let it die out?

[AJ Michalka]

I've done both.

[Ally Brooke]

I've had more, if I'm being honest. I've had a couple die out doubts, not conversations where it's just kind of like you kind of stop texting.

[AJ Michalka]

And then it's like, they also do.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. And then it's like you kind of are like, we both know this isn't right.

[AJ Michalka]

Which is kind of a form of ghosting.

[Ally Brooke]

It's not great.

[AJ Michalka]

I think you should have the conversation

[Alex Cooper]

when you had the conversation.

[Ally Brooke]

It's bigger to do that.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you think those were more extreme moments, like, did something.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes. It can make it too big of a deal.

[Alex Cooper]

But.

[AJ Michalka]

But it was usually because it was based on something that happened that I was like, I can't really not see this now. And it's here and let's talk about it. And this is why I can't go forward as a friend.

[Alex Cooper]

But I think that's good advice. It's like you kind of have to gauge where you're at. If it's just like, you never really see each other anymore, but you have this, like, weight over you and they're not that great to you, you can maybe let it simmer. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

To me, some. Some things don't need, like, a spotlight.

[Alex Cooper]

True.

[Ally Brooke]

Sometimes. Sometimes it's not like this big, huge fight. Sometimes it's like I'm seeing some things about your lifestyle that doesn't gel with mine or.

[Adrianna]

Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

Or that, you know, I don't know. You weren't there for me in these moments that I needed you, and it's kind of like showing your true colors and that's okay. We just. Just part our own ways.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

That's like. Sometimes that's part of just growing up and being a girl.

[Alex Cooper]

I think that's what's, like, been so eye opening as I've gotten older. Like, growing apart from friendships is so sad. And it's, like, horrible to look back at, like, some of my, like, high school friends that I'm not as close with anymore or whatever. Or just also, like, recognizing, like, we really grew up and we are different or like, we live our lives differently, and that doesn't mean they're a bad person. You're just like, it doesn't mesh anymore.

[AJ Michalka]

But it is sad when a part of your childhood, in that way, kind of dies. You're like, wait, I just said bye to a friend in a way that I know I'm not really going to connect with again.

[Alex Cooper]

And I think it's like, sometimes, yes, sometimes those are harder than actual breakups with men. Sometimes where you're like, that hurt. But I think that's a good, like, bit of advice is, like, you can do both. But I think don't actively seek out a conversation if the person's gonna be like, wait, what? What are you talking about? If something happens, absolutely address it. But you can also, like, let something simmer if that's like, the natural course of where it was gonna go anyways.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

And it says a lot. If both sides aren't really reaching out, then it's like the natural course was

[Ally Brooke]

for it kind in a way.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. You find out you were accidentally the other woman, do you reach out to her or do you stay out of it?

[AJ Michalka]

I'm the type that would reach out.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

We're both breathing so heavy. We're all like.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm like, yeah, I think I would contact you.

[Ally Brooke]

I think I would. I think I would. I. I'd say I'm the other one.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm the other woman.

[Ally Brooke]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Well, what's funny is that we've seen one of our girlfriends, our close girlfriends do that, and I. It was like, I was kind of being like, don't do this. Is cringe. Like, why is this huge message? You know?

[AJ Michalka]

I don't know if she did it right.

[Ally Brooke]

She didn't do it right.

[AJ Michalka]

I think there's a way you can.

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, I've said that to her face. Like, yeah, you didn't nail this.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, she literally wrote, like, a paragraph.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

No, no.

[Ally Brooke]

And also then that girl is like, yeah, right. Sure, honey. You know, and then making her look

[AJ Michalka]

like, are you making this up that you're really the other woman?

[Alex Cooper]

Like, yeah, you look insane.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, this is really interesting. Yeah. I think a paragraph to ever start something off bad, you got to go in shorter and just begin the convo rather than hit it hard where someone's like, oh, my God, I need to, like, read this tonight when I have time, like, and sit down and actually think about this. But okay, so you guys would both say something.

[AJ Michalka]

I Would be like, I'm sick. I'm ill. Like, this. This happened. I need you to know. And I'm so sorry. Bye.

[Alex Cooper]

I kind of agree with that. Like, I feel like if you were not. Again clarifying, you didn't even know you were the other woman. If you were aware, like, then that's a complete different situation. That's like, on you. But. Yes. But if you weren't aware, I kind of agree. Because then even if she stays on her. You know what I mean? Totally.

[AJ Michalka]

At least you had your moment to say, like, this moment happened and I said my piece and like, I can live with that.

[Alex Cooper]

Love this.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

If you knew one of your close friends was cheating on her husband, who you're also friends with. With, how do you handle that?

[Ally Brooke]

That's really hard. That's really hard. That's never happened.

[AJ Michalka]

Thank God.

[Ally Brooke]

Has that ever happened to you? Maybe not husband or.

[Alex Cooper]

I have known. Not husband, but yeah, I've known that there's, like, shadiness going on and you're

[AJ Michalka]

close to both of them. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

And I kind of stayed out of

[Ally Brooke]

it because I just didn't dissolve on its own with. With you staying out of it.

[Alex Cooper]

You know what's interesting? I'm not really that close with them anymore, so I don't know what happened. But I also think maybe that partially is because it was like, bleeding into every part of their. Like, when you're lying, that he in

[Ally Brooke]

your life leads into every other.

[Alex Cooper]

Everything you're in your life. She was more distant because she was being so cagey, but. And then I was kind of like, I don't know. Oh, wow. Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

I think it depends on maybe who. Like, who's the OG friend? Is it. Is it her or is it guy? Like, I don't know him at the same. I mean, if you met at the same time, it's. It's hard.

[Alex Cooper]

It's so hard.

[Ally Brooke]

I'd like to think I'd have the courage to say something or to be like, I don't know, like, is everything okay? Like, well, I want to think if

[AJ Michalka]

I'm the same woman who's going to tell the person I was the other woman and didn't know until just now. I'd be that same person to say me this.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, I'd like to think those two

[AJ Michalka]

ladies are the same person. Like, bold.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, agree. I think what's hard sometimes in friendship dynamics is, like, there's a lot of dynamics. I feel like you start to feel as you get older and there's cheating involved. I Have found sometimes I'm not privy to all the information of these people's relationships. And a lot of times I'm like, oh, you kind of knew that. Like, the whole size.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

So I'm like, like, if I'm super close, if it was my best friend, and I'm fine. I'm hearing something. I'm telling her, obviously, and be like, I love you so much, and I support you. I just need to tell you this, and then I'm here. Whatever you want to do. Because I think it's half the time, the judgment that people feel when someone brings that information. They get so anxious, like, I have to leave him now or I have to leave her now. And it's like, I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I come off as judgy when you tell them. So I also think your delivery has to be like, I love you, and I know this is so hard, but

[Ally Brooke]

I saw so and so at this restaurant and this.

[AJ Michalka]

And I'm leaving this information.

[Alex Cooper]

Yes. But I'm here, here for you if you want to talk. And, like, whatever you do, I love you.

[AJ Michalka]

I think now, in my 30s, that is how I would approach it. But it would take me a hot minute to come to that, like, bravery of. Of, like, okay, we're doing this.

[Alex Cooper]

You'd call your sister first.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, totally. We'd rehearse it. I'd hold her hand while she says the conversation. Or we would go in person, and I'd hold her hand in person.

[AJ Michalka]

Thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. You accidentally send a screenshot of the conversation to the person you were gossiping about. How do you play it off? Oh, have you noticed? Never done that.

[Ally Brooke]

You don't know.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God. I haven't done that.

[Ally Brooke]

Have you done it multiple times?

[Alex Cooper]

In college, I was talking shit about the guy that I was seeing, and I was, like, texting my friend, and I was sunbathing. I was at Boston University. I remember exactly where I was laying. I was in my little bikini, and it was so bright out, and I was holding my phone up, texting, and I was talking to this hockey player. He was so dumb. And I was just like, so you

[Ally Brooke]

text it to him?

[Alex Cooper]

I screenshotted it. Send it to him. Being like, hockey player wants me to go on his boat later. Like, I'm going to have to have, like, a couple drinks. Drinks together.

[AJ Michalka]

And it went to him.

[Ally Brooke]

And then what he. What was his response? Was he like, now you can unset.

[Alex Cooper]

I know.

[AJ Michalka]

So we're in a good era now. We're fine.

[Ally Brooke]

So now we're good.

[Alex Cooper]

And guys, I literally responded. I'm pretty sure. Like, first I called my mom screaming, like, I, you guys, I am under the sun. I realized I do it. I'm pretty sure he responded like, lol at first, which is like, actually, yeah, that's kind of.

[Ally Brooke]

He was thinking like, oh, that's funny.

[AJ Michalka]

How dumb.

[Ally Brooke]

This is a funny joke, right?

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

It shows how, like, yeah, you're like, I am hilarious. Yes. No. And then I was like, lol, I'm just kidding. Like, I just can't decide if I want to come. Like, what are you thinking? Good job, you guys.

[Ally Brooke]

Did he. Did he roll with it?

[Alex Cooper]

He completely rolled with it.

[Ally Brooke]

Wow.

[Alex Cooper]

Saw him later that night.

[Ally Brooke]

But that says even more.

[AJ Michalka]

You did start the conversation saying he wasn't smart.

[Alex Cooper]

So, like, completely. Also, why did I go? I don't know. I was bored. You know what I mean?

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

I think it was an ego thing where I was like, I have to see this man to like, make sure that he actually forgave me. Like, this is insane that he doesn't recognize that I was completely shit talking

[Ally Brooke]

him doing a day. I. I would be more likely for sure to do something like that. 100.

[AJ Michalka]

It would be.

[Alex Cooper]

You would?

[AJ Michalka]

Way over me.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, I'm actually surprised that hasn't happened, but it has.

[Alex Cooper]

Why? Because you're just like, you're gonna do some like, clumsy. Where you're like, how did I get in this situation?

[Ally Brooke]

Hello. You're on the wrong group chat. And it's like, oh, there will be

[AJ Michalka]

times where I'll like, sidebar chat to her and I'll be like, just so you know, you're talking in a way that, that if this leads to more. You're in the wrong.

[Ally Brooke]

You're in the wrong. We're on the wrong track here.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

And she'll be like, oh, thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Totally. Thank you. So, yeah, that is kind of like younger sister energy, though.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, correction officer.

[Alex Cooper]

I call my sister and I'm like, are you okay? And she's like, what? And I'm like, why are you sending that to the family group chat? We were just texting and she's like, oh, my gosh. I don't know. Like, yeah, I'm kind of.

[Ally Brooke]

That is. Yeah, that. That. That does track as younger sister.

[Alex Cooper]

It is, it is. It's like, we. We know everything. Like, stay.

[AJ Michalka]

Exactly.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. Do you guys ever go on double dates?

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. I mean, with our people now, with our guys now. I think in the past, have we ever really done that? In the past.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm trying to think before Stephen and Josh. No, I don't think so.

[Ally Brooke]

I don't think so.

[AJ Michalka]

That's become more of an adult.

[Alex Cooper]

Like.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, it's been like three wheeling where it's like two people on a date, and then I'm like, hey, I'm here hanging with you, having lunch, you know, or.

[AJ Michalka]

That's true. Yeah, that's.

[Alex Cooper]

Let's talk about Stephen and Josh. So serious. Ali, you met your husband when you were in your early 20s. What made him stand out to you?

[Ally Brooke]

I don't know. I just got a vibe. Like, this guy is just different. Like, he's really deep. He's very mature. He's just, like, tapped into something.

[Alex Cooper]

Where'd you guys meet?

[Ally Brooke]

We met on a set. He was the dp and I was the, like, lead actor in this, like, really tiny little indie. And I don't know, like, I just picked up this energy from him that, like, just instantly I was kind of like, this guy is like, I'm, like, safe with this guy. Like, I can really be myself around him. And he's, like, artistic, and he really cares about this project and how he's talking about it and how he is on set. He has very much like, a leadership kind of energy, even though he was very young. And it was the first movie that he was, you know, a DP on. So I don't know, it was just like. It was a meant to be thing. And at the time, I was seeing a guy that I was in, like, I call it, like a kept relationship. He was like, I couldn't get out. It was just like he was a guy who was older than me that I had, like, that I had lost my virginity to. To be completely.

[AJ Michalka]

And I was like, girl, we gotta get rid of.

[Ally Brooke]

I was like, I'm good. Like, it's. It's all good. Like, this is a sweet memory and moment, but, like, we're good. We're done.

[AJ Michalka]

You did break up. And he.

[Ally Brooke]

And he was like, I made you a woman. Like, bad.

[AJ Michalka]

He said that?

[Ally Brooke]

He definitely is cringe.

[Alex Cooper]

No, it's cringe.

[Ally Brooke]

Really cringe.

[Alex Cooper]

No. How long were you together with him?

[Ally Brooke]

Like, a year, year and a. Like a year and a half. Yeah, I mean, I know. I know you hated. Well, you had an okay friendship with him again in the beginning. It's someone that should have always been, like, a guy friend.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

Never should have dated 100 we.

[Alex Cooper]

For a man to say that he made you a woman. I will kill you.

[Ally Brooke]

No, I know, I know. But the fact that I was, like, kind of chill, like, almost kind of like a bro, like, yeah, this is nice. Like, whatever. Like, who cares? I lost my virginity to you. It's, like, not that big of a deal.

[Alex Cooper]

And he, like, so sentimental. He, like, had it in his diary

[Ally Brooke]

that he was, like, very much deal. Like, wow, I'm excited about this.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you end a relationship with him? Because that's hard, like, to be, like, someone that's. Clearly. He was more into it than you.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, it was.

[Alex Cooper]

You called it a kept relationship. Sweet.

[Ally Brooke]

I know, I know.

[AJ Michalka]

I mean, you did end it, and then, remember, he, like, convinced you to stay in it.

[Ally Brooke]

Stay in it. So I, like, I. We had broken up, and then we got back together, and then I'm on this movie, like, hanging out, you know, shooting in Sequoia National Park. We're all. We're all staying in these cabins at the base of the mountain. So, like. Like, after we would rap, we all would eat dinner together and 1. Hang out and, like, run lines or whatever. And I just remember, like, essentially, like, talking shit about him to people being like, I don't know. I'm like, I'm in this relationship, but, like, I gotta get out of it. Like, you know, at this time, it was, like, what. It was like, November, beginning of November. So I was probably thinking, like, you know, I'm gonna try to wrap this up and. And be on my way. But I knew that I had. I had agreed to do a movie that he was directing that was next.

[AJ Michalka]

Next. It was the next film.

[Ally Brooke]

So I had to do this next movie with him as a director. And I broke. I broke up with him at the beginning of the movie. I was so.

[AJ Michalka]

But then. Had to be in it.

[Ally Brooke]

But had to be in it.

[AJ Michalka]

Directed by him.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. And he would be kind of trying to be like, no, like, we can make this work. And I was like, we're done. I. I really don't want to do this.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait. You're so strong.

[Ally Brooke]

It was brutal. It was not. I don't recommend doing that. I recommend just bailing out of the movie and not doing the movie.

[Alex Cooper]

True. But also, that's like your career where you're like, yeah, like, do I do it or that. That's tough.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, it was great.

[Alex Cooper]

That's also like, ladies listening. I have in bed in that situation before, when you try to break up with someone, anyone, whatever, they literally won't let you. And they won't let you.

[Ally Brooke]

That means it's really bad.

[Alex Cooper]

Run. It's kind of like Firing.

[AJ Michalka]

It's kind of like firing someone that's like, you're not.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

And they're not doing this. I'm not leaving.

[Ally Brooke]

What? But why would you want me now?

[AJ Michalka]

Like, if I'm firing, you could always

[Ally Brooke]

be like, no, that's normal. Like, there'd be, like, ups and downs. Like, sometimes, like, you'll. You'll be in and out of love. I'm like, no, no, that ain't how it works.

[Alex Cooper]

No, when someone doesn't want you, listen to them and leave.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes. Believe them.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God. Okay, wait, so when you met Ali's husband, like, were you immediate? You, like, no.

[AJ Michalka]

In the beginning, I was like.

[Ally Brooke]

I think she was a little judgmental, like, hated. There's some. There's some crossover that's happening here.

[AJ Michalka]

I was a little judgy. I'm not going to lie. Even though I knew Ally was going to get out of it, I was like, you should have gotten out of it, like, six months ago. And then you'd be, like, free and clear, but whatever.

[Ally Brooke]

But then my husband, you know, true.

[AJ Michalka]

He turned into the husband. So I'm happy and literally become, like, my brother. Like, I love him. Him, and I have so much respect for him as a husband and a dad. Like, to watch him as a father, like, it's really beautiful. But in the beginning, I was like, I don't know about this guy. Like, he was really shy. He was really quiet. I don't do great with quiet people, except for, like, when I'm translating.

[Ally Brooke]

She's a translator.

[AJ Michalka]

But, like, in general, like, I'm like, come on. Like, let's go. Like, let's have a conversation. Like, I've got a really bubbly personality, and he was just very quiet. He's, like an intellectual. He's very. He's super grounded, super smart. And I think I felt maybe, like a little like, okay, here's this, like, Ivy League guy. I'm not going to be able to, like, carry a conversation with him. He's probably smarter than me. Like, I think I was intimidated.

[Alex Cooper]

I get that. And again, back to what we were saying. With sisters, it's like, you're so protective, and you have to look for her blind spots.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

That's how I am with my sister. Like, she's dating right now. And I'm like, no. What is going on? And what it. Like, because I'm just like, I want the best for her. So naturally, it is your job almost to be like. Like, I don't like you until you prove that I should like you?

[AJ Michalka]

Yes. And then he did, and I was like, I love him. Although two years later, when he proposed, I, like, sobbed.

[Ally Brooke]

Oh, yeah. And you knew before.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah. I got so. Not because I wasn't happy for Allie. I literally felt like I'm like, I'm gonna lose my sister. I think, like, I had this weird, unrealistic idea that a marriage meant that

[Ally Brooke]

then the sisterhood would be over. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, I literally went up. We were living together in Laurel Canyon, and we were sharing a place, and I went upstairs. I lived in the top lot.

[Alex Cooper]

Soft.

[AJ Michalka]

And I, like, closed my closet door and I sobbed. I was so happy for her. But at the same time, I was like, I'm literally gonna lose my sister.

[Alex Cooper]

And it didn't happen at all. Of course. Here we are.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

But I do think that's really relatable. Like, I've talked about this with my siblings. Especially, like, around the holiday season, you get to spend more time with your family. And it is kind of, like, sad when you start to get older and adult and do all the things that adults should be doing and your core family starts to expand. And it's like, now you're creating your own family.

[Ally Brooke]

Right. And your own memories and traditions, and

[Alex Cooper]

it's so, so sad. But exciting. But I relate to that a lot of, like, as we are all growing older, you're like, wait, I want to hold on to my siblings and what we had in our core. Don't grow up and don't leave me. Yeah, but really, it's more. Just, like, there's now more memories and there's more fun.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

More than you.

[Alex Cooper]

More.

[AJ Michalka]

Nothing dies.

[Alex Cooper]

No, but I get why you would freak out. Because, like, I'm the same way you're

[AJ Michalka]

gonna on the wedding night. Like, God bless our dad. But, like, he. We were doing, like, a dance dance. Even though it was a father daughter dance later down the road. It wasn't my father daughter dance. You had had yours. But I was like, later dancing with dad, and I was like, this is a really sweet moment. And dad goes, honey, how are you doing? And I was like, I'm really happy for them. Like, I feel really good about this. And he was like, that's awesome. You know what? You lost a sister, but you gained a brother. And I was like, what the.

[Alex Cooper]

Huh?

[AJ Michalka]

I mean, it was everything I had cried about. He didn't mean my dad.

[Ally Brooke]

Just.

[AJ Michalka]

Our dad talks like that.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, he does.

[Ally Brooke]

He.

[AJ Michalka]

And I was like, like, huh?

[Ally Brooke]

You're like, wait, come again?

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, dad, this is not kidding. Mentally unwell for the past couple years.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes, unwell. But this is also the same man. Love you, dad. Shout out to dad and Mom. Great people. This is also the same man who, like, lost his father a few years ago and Steven never got to meet him. Our grandpa. And literally at the funeral, told, I

[Ally Brooke]

wasn't at the funeral, cuz I was working in.

[AJ Michalka]

At the funeral, told, stephen, I want you to meet my dad.

[Ally Brooke]

And he was dead in the cabin,

[AJ Michalka]

but he's in the. Like, that's like. We're.

[Alex Cooper]

You know what I mean?

[AJ Michalka]

We're not like. That verbiage is interesting.

[Ally Brooke]

It's just interesting.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, dad, I want you to

[AJ Michalka]

meet my dad bad.

[Alex Cooper]

It's no longer here.

[AJ Michalka]

Shake his hand.

[Ally Brooke]

And I don't know how. Wait, you were there to witness?

[AJ Michalka]

I was there.

[Ally Brooke]

You said that Stephen handled it as.

[AJ Michalka]

Stephen handled it so well. He was like, okay, Mark.

[Alex Cooper]

Stephen's like, mark, I am gonna meet your dad and we're gonna hit it off over here. Stare at the open cast.

[Ally Brooke]

But dads can say some. Really, you guys, you're like, whoa.

[Alex Cooper]

The more and more they get older, dads, you have have to smile. My dad has been saying some crate, Love you, dad. Some crazy shit lately. I'm like, huh? Love you, dad.

[Ally Brooke]

Love you, dad.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, you gotta just. Happy holidays. Happy holidays. Happy holidays. You're all insane. Yeah. Okay. Aj, you have a boyfriend?

[AJ Michalka]

I do. It's been six years. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you guys meet?

[AJ Michalka]

We met at a film festival in Napa.

[Ally Brooke]

Oh, yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Bougie Ali and I. I know it was actually Bougie. Allie and I had made a film with her husband that had gone to the Napa Valley Film Festival, and he had produced and starred in a short film that was shortlisted for an Oscar that year that was also premiering at the film festival.

[Adrianna]

Oh, wow.

[AJ Michalka]

And it was an amazing short film. And him and I met and, like, there was like a spark. But at the time, he was with his girlfriend there and I was dating someone in Canada.

[Adrianna]

Classic.

[AJ Michalka]

I loved long distance for a while, which was just really awkward.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, he was really on that kick.

[AJ Michalka]

And I just was like, gosh, I'm gonna know this guy for a while, and I don't know how or why, and it's gonna happen at some point. But I remember he was wearing this, like, lumberjack red black flannel. And I was just like, this guy is hot. And he's like, salt of the earth vibes. And then down the road, a year later, he was single. I Was single, and we connected on

[Ally Brooke]

Instagram, and we needed somebody in our video. Take me. I passed him in our. In our video because we were playing vampires, and, like, you. And you were like, can we kill

[AJ Michalka]

you in a video?

[Ally Brooke]

Hot. He should be in the video. Like, let's have him in.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, what was your first impression? How did you meet him? When did you meet him?

[Ally Brooke]

I met him at that. At the festival.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

I think he's, like, with you because maybe was there, like, a crossover on a panel or something together? I think. Yeah. Yeah, I think so. And then. And then we did the. The video shoot, and he was, like, super down. And then we had a couple girlfriends come and also be victims, and they were, like, down to just kind of,

[Alex Cooper]

like, hang out for the day when they started dating. Were you protective or no?

[Ally Brooke]

I don't know. What do you feel like?

[AJ Michalka]

I feel like because you already had Steven in play for such a good chunk of your life, you've lost some of that because you're set and you're like, sure, she's got this.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. I think maybe when AJ was younger, I was more protective. Protective or more like, who is this guy? Like. Yeah, what are you after? Are you actually a loser and you're just, like, hiding it really well?

[Alex Cooper]

Yep.

[Ally Brooke]

But. But I feel like I've always been on, like, good terms with most of the guys that you've dated. I feel like you like, kind of a friendly banter. Yeah. Maybe not as much where you've been. Been, like, friends with my True.

[AJ Michalka]

In a way, I've been more judgmental about who she's dated than the other way around, which, again, maybe is the little me, too.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm like, you're a loser. You don't deserve my sister. My sister's like, alice, Alex, I've gone on two dates with this man, and you just ran into him on the street in New York. This wasn't even a planned meeting. I'm like, back off.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

He's like, what? Okay. I'm like, yeah, that's a nightmare to have me. Your parents are divorced, right?

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How do you guys think their divorce informed how you approached your romantic relationships in your adult lives?

[Ally Brooke]

If I'm gonna speak for aj, I think that. Oh, oh, oh, no, that's fine.

[AJ Michalka]

Don't speak for you.

[Ally Brooke]

Speak for me. Yeah, I think. I mean, we kind of do.

[AJ Michalka]

No, we speak for each other.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, maybe a bad habit. But I. I think that AJ as the little sister vibes was more, like, heartbroken by. Yeah, I took it and shattered and took it really bad.

[Alex Cooper]

What age did they get divorced?

[Ally Brooke]

21.

[AJ Michalka]

19 and 21.

[Ally Brooke]

Okay, okay, 19, 21. So, like, in a way, you're old enough to know exactly what happened, all the details. Like, I. I think there's a. There's a positive and a negative to it. But I think for us, I was shattered. It helped that I was on a TV show and I was living by myself alone for the first time out in Vancouver.

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

And so I was just focused. And you were, like, left to be at home with my mom still. All of us at that point were living together. And you were kind of mourning the divorce a little bit with her. So I think in a weird way, you, like, carried some of that trauma with you, where I was kind of like, bye. I'm off shooting the show for eight, nine months.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

And then I came up.

[AJ Michalka]

But when you wrapped, we ended up living together. We lived with our mom while she kind of dealt with getting her life back together after the divorce. It ended up being like a home of three women. Like, we kind of.

[Ally Brooke]

It was like three's company, but. But just. Just ladies. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

No, that kind of stuff, like, I know can, like. You're right. Affects people in different ways. Literally down to, like, logistically, where you were at in the middle of your parents getting divorced can play such a role in, like, how it genuinely affected you because you got to be essentially removed. Correct. Yeah. Do you. Did you notice anything with, like, how that affected when you started to, like, engage in romantic relationships?

[AJ Michalka]

There was infidelity with what happened. We're actually, like, super close with both parents, and I was able to forgive our father. And like, I actually feel like we're in a great place now. But at the time, it was really hard for me. And I think when I was dating people, I immediately had this trigger that, like, they're gonna cheat. Like, they're gonna, like. Because how could that happen after 23 years of marriage? Like, I feel bad talking about it. Cause I love my dad. But, like, it really was one of those things that became a trigger point that, like, didn't really need to be there. Like, no one needs to be assuming you're being cheated on. You just feel like you've seen it now, so you're like, it's gonna happen.

[Ally Brooke]

It's more horrible.

[Alex Cooper]

I also think, like. Like, that's such an interesting dynamic because I could be sitting here with someone that had their parents get divorced when they were like six and it them up. I. It is interesting hearing you guys Talk about. Because I know this is a very, very, very relatable topic, which, like, I have a friend that has a similar situation to you guys with your parents. When you are that age and you're very deep and about to begin to explore your romantic adult relationships, to have a foundation that was, like, pretty. It seems, like, pretty solid for your whole area.

[Ally Brooke]

Well, people would be sh. Shocked, you know, to find. To find out, like, wait, what? The family, they broke up, so your

[Alex Cooper]

reality was so, like, disrupted. I can imagine that, yes. Like, then you're like, we. If I can't trust, like, my dad, then I can't trust any of these men, when really, again, it's like they're doing this for the first time, too, and that's their relationship or whatever. But it protects you. It does, girls.

[Ally Brooke]

But I don't think it's like. Or at least I didn't feel like it turned me off from marriage or not believing in marriage for whatever reason.

[AJ Michalka]

No, no, I agree.

[Ally Brooke]

Still, like, believed in the idea of it. And. And I don't know. I think we always felt like, okay, there is a. There is a chance that you can actually have a successful marriage in this day and age. You just got to really work on it. And I think if I'm.

[AJ Michalka]

They stopped working on it.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, they stopped working on it. If I'm going to be the little Yoda that I am, Bring it, bring it.

[Alex Cooper]

Here we go.

[AJ Michalka]

That I am in my heart.

[Alex Cooper]

I love it. I'm kidding. I love.

[Ally Brooke]

I'm joking. But I do love you, Yoda, actually. The child.

[AJ Michalka]

The child.

[Alex Cooper]

Love. Grogu.

[Ally Brooke]

I think that not working on the relationship between the mom and dad, like, is. Is the whole end of the marriage, because everything was poured into me and AJ and that was almost like the scapegoat. And then it was like, oh, we don't work on ourselves. We're not going to be in therapy. We're not going to do these things. We're not going to make sure that you. You are flown out on tour every, you know, two and a half weeks.

[AJ Michalka]

Instead, we're gonna pride ourselves being the parents that were really there for the two kids in the industry.

[Ally Brooke]

But then it's like. But then you're guys apart, which then affects us.

[Alex Cooper]

Right?

[Adrianna]

That's interesting.

[Alex Cooper]

I saw someone recently talking about when people just become their identity as being a mother or a father, it's like, you can't just be one thing, like, what's your identity to yourself? What's your identity to your partner? And that's how you lose yourself if you're just. Just one. I wonder, like, obviously, how old is your child?

[Ally Brooke]

He's. He'll be eight months. I mean, I guess he's. When we. When this is out, like, you know, almost.

[Alex Cooper]

Almost. Oh, my God.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How has, like, that concept of, like, recognizing. Still needing to pour because you're in the thick of it right now, like, you've got basically a newborn. How have you tried to, like, work with your partner to make sure you guys are good, even in the excitement of having, like, a new child? And that's all you want to talk about?

[Ally Brooke]

Well, I think. I think making moments where it can be the two of us or even if, like, our kid is around, it's like, okay, well, he's, like, asleep right now, but we can still kind of have, like, a little date night and go out to dinner and put him in his little stroller. And, like, it can still be romantic, or we can put a movie on, or we can get away to our favorite place in Big Sur. And it can be not just all about the kid, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

No. Your son is so adorable. Like, when he was at tour, I was literally, like, this is like, the most calm baby. I literally walk into your dressing room room. He's here.

[Ally Brooke]

You. Can I see him after? Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's in a little. He's not in a matching. We couldn't get miniature, but he's.

[Alex Cooper]

You would have tried.

[AJ Michalka]

You would have tried.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm obsessed.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, we can't get that turned around.

[Alex Cooper]

They're like, please calm down. You're like, okay, fine. Okay. Before we're going to go through. Now, I want to do new music, and we're going to play one last game because I think it's fun. Because Sister dynamic, Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Airbnb.

[Adrianna]

My friends and I randomly were in a group chat, and we said, you know, it sounds good to us. A lake.

[Alex Cooper]

Why did a lake sound good? I don't know. It just felt like that's kind of where the next destination for the girls trip needed to be. And so all of my friends and I were like, okay, we know what we're doing. Airbnb, guys. Group trips are better. On Airbnb, you can get a shared space to bond and amenities to make things easy on everyone. All my friends and I were like, this place needs to have a hot tub. Boom. We made sure we got a hot tub. Also, with grocery delivery option available on Airbnb, you can make sure everyone gets what they want delivered Right to the door. My friends and I always are like, okay, we want to make our breakfast, and then we want to go out for lunch. And so it's so nice to have a place that has a kitchen. You can stock up. All of the things are right there. Instead of wasting time running to the store, you can just get right into the fun part of your trip. So, daddy gang, if you're like, what, Wait a second. Like, I need a girls trip. Or maybe you need a little weekend getaway with your. With your man or your woman. Yeah. You know what you need to do? Whether you're taking a trip with friends or family, it's better when you book a place on Airbnb where everyone can be together.

[Adrianna]

Call her. Daddy is brought to you by Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. We all know how good it feels to refresh our space and sometimes a little spring cleaning. Pick me up with Clorox. Disinfecting Wipes is the best, best way to get back on track. Let me just say she's quick, she's easy, she's Clorox Disinfecting Wipes plus the lemon scent. Oh, my God. You know what it reminds me of? My mom. My mom used these in our home growing up. No doubt about it. Our house smelled so incredibly clean.

[Alex Cooper]

And now I just have them in

[Adrianna]

my house because it's tradition, right? My mom used it, and naturally, I use whatever my mother used.

[Alex Cooper]

It is the best.

[Adrianna]

Guys, a quick wipe down is one of the easiest ways to channel a little spring cleaning energy. The wipes are perfect also for multitasking. So you can just get back to your day to day with ease and with a better vibe. Thanks to Clorox, we can have spring cleaning and they can get us through it, right? We don't need to stress. Thank you, Clorox. Okay, so shop Clorox Disinfecting wipes [e-mail] Clorox wipes.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, ready? Who is the more bougie one? Between the two of you, who likes the nicer stuff?

[Ally Brooke]

I don't know. Maybe. Maybe aj she'll splurge on more like.

[Alex Cooper]

Like.

[Ally Brooke]

Like a skin care thing or like doing like.

[AJ Michalka]

Like, skin is beautiful facial massages.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, yeah. The spa. The spa.

[AJ Michalka]

We both love a spa, but I. I tend to, like, maybe do it a little too much.

[Alex Cooper]

I was going to say that, like, the mo. Like, what is the luxury thing you can't live without? The spa.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, facials, like, every, like, three weeks.

[Alex Cooper]

Well, it's paying off, like Literally.

[Ally Brooke]

You have great.

[AJ Michalka]

Sweet.

[Ally Brooke]

Do you ever have bad skin, like, as a. As a teen?

[AJ Michalka]

Did you.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God, yes. So, like, I will take all the compliments.

[Ally Brooke]

No.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God. You guys. I had, like, full Accutane when I was younger.

[Ally Brooke]

Oh, wow.

[Adrianna]

Really?

[Alex Cooper]

But it was just, like, very hormonal, and then, like, I got over it,

[Ally Brooke]

and then it was gone.

[AJ Michalka]

Wow.

[Alex Cooper]

And now, like, here we are. Glowing facials. Okay, who is more likely to take a secret to the grave?

[Ally Brooke]

Me, probably aj.

[Alex Cooper]

Aj.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You just smiled, so I was like, come on. You're like, give it.

[Ally Brooke]

That is true, aj.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm like, come on.

[Ally Brooke]

But I'm pretty good at keeping it.

[AJ Michalka]

No, you are.

[Ally Brooke]

With each other. Like.

[AJ Michalka]

Like.

[Ally Brooke]

Like got it to the grave together. Do you know what I mean? Like, that's not. I know, but it's, like, it has to be between the two of us.

[Alex Cooper]

Who is more likely to pick a fight between the two of you?

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, we both can pick a fight with each other pretty, like, pretty quickly if it's the right subject matter, you know, the right thing. If it's like, we're disagreeing on something, like, how something was handled, like, AG will be like, you had a bunch of typos in this one business email. I'm like, who cares?

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, I'll have a correction off.

[Ally Brooke]

She's like, she will. She's like, you're.

[Alex Cooper]

You're.

[Ally Brooke]

You're writing an email. Like, you're texting, you know, like, you're like, this is sloppy.

[AJ Michalka]

This isn't good for our business.

[Ally Brooke]

I'm like, okay. I'm like, sorry. Like that.

[AJ Michalka]

You know, that's not even a fight. But, like, I usually start something sooner, I feel like, than you do.

[Ally Brooke]

That's probably true. Yeah. AJ's maybe a little more fiery.

[Alex Cooper]

Love, if you had to say, what is your biggest pet peeve about each other? I just, like, start a full fight on this podcast.

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, my gosh. I have it.

[Ally Brooke]

Wow.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, wow.

[AJ Michalka]

Ally started doing this in the last, like, year, very consistently. I actually don't think I have addressed it with you.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God.

[AJ Michalka]

Where she'll go, maybe you could do that.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, yeah, you're right. It's me. It's me.

[AJ Michalka]

She'll start a sentence that she's asking you to do something, but instead it's like, maybe you could get that bottle, like, for Jack. Or, like, maybe you could get that.

[Ally Brooke]

That's true.

[AJ Michalka]

You know what I'm talking about? Yeah.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

I don't know how you word it exactly. I think it starts with maybe you could.

[Ally Brooke]

Oh, interesting.

[AJ Michalka]

And it's like a.

[Ally Brooke]

You want me. If you want me to. Or I could maybe see the question.

[AJ Michalka]

Question, and I'll do it.

[Ally Brooke]

Okay, so I should just be asking the question.

[AJ Michalka]

Yes.

[Ally Brooke]

Or just be like, get me this.

[AJ Michalka]

Can't stand it.

[Alex Cooper]

Get me.

[Ally Brooke]

Get me this.

[AJ Michalka]

I mean, I'd rather you just say, like, do that.

[Ally Brooke]

Get the burp cloth. Maybe. Maybe you could. Oh, interesting.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, that's infuriating.

[AJ Michalka]

That drives me nuts.

[Alex Cooper]

That's a good one.

[AJ Michalka]

Drives me nuts.

[Ally Brooke]

That is a great one.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, your turn.

[Ally Brooke]

Ooh, aj. Okay, we both are ocd and we know this about each other, but AJ loves to reorganize an area that I've already kind of pre. Tried to organize. Knowing that AJ doesn't like something moved, like the shoes or something, I'm like, okay, she'll like it.

[AJ Michalka]

I love things like that.

[Ally Brooke]

And then it's, like, moved, and it's like the shoes are just in a different corner, but they're still. They're still on the ground.

[Alex Cooper]

And you're like, I literally cleaned for you.

[Ally Brooke]

I'm like, I've cleaned for the ocd. Like, just trying to get ahead.

[AJ Michalka]

That's ocd. You can't.

[Ally Brooke]

That's the beauty.

[AJ Michalka]

It has to be your way.

[Ally Brooke]

You have to be your way. Doesn't make any damn sense, but it's your way.

[Alex Cooper]

Even if you.

[AJ Michalka]

There's nothing logical.

[Alex Cooper]

Yep.

[Ally Brooke]

Nothing. It's like this pile of clothes.

[AJ Michalka]

You're lucky I did not reorganize bookshelf.

[Alex Cooper]

I can't imagine feeling in this room.

[Adrianna]

Room.

[AJ Michalka]

It's only in my own space.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. That makes me feel good.

[Ally Brooke]

Never in someone else's.

[Alex Cooper]

Ever. Who is the first to usually apologize if you guys are coming back from a fight?

[Ally Brooke]

Probably aj.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah, Ally, I don't even remember the last time you said.

[Ally Brooke]

I'm sorry. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not good at saying.

[AJ Michalka]

She does not apologize.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah, that's okay.

[Alex Cooper]

No, you. But you're. You said you're usually lightly starting it and then you're ending it.

[Ally Brooke]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

Love that for you.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm a closer.

[Alex Cooper]

You guys, your new music. Okay, we're here. Let's talk about it. You have a new album coming out and a single. The single is coming out on January.

[AJ Michalka]

January 10th.

[Alex Cooper]

Love. What is it called?

[AJ Michalka]

What it feels like. We were supposed to do that at the same time, but it's.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. Let's do it again. Ready? Okay. What is it called?

[AJ Michalka]

What it feels like.

[Ally Brooke]

Wait.

[Alex Cooper]

Fuck. And five, six, seven, eight. What it feels like gorgeous. Gorgeous. Okay, talk to me about this album. What is the inspiration behind the music?

[Ally Brooke]

I mean, this record feels like it's never been more us. Obviously, every single album you're hoping to achieve, you know that 10% better, right? Each time, just like you would with, like, each, you know, season of the show. But I do feel like we've really stepped into, like, our womanhood on this album. And I think part of that is. Is I think just seeing that this music has been so informed by our live show and touring and playing songs to a live audience and with our band that we've now been playing with for a few years has really helped us identify. Okay, this is the kind of music we want to put on a record and what we want to then go out and tour. So I think it's looking at it from, like, the live show is the. The top of the pyramid, and how do we get to the live show? And I think a lot of this music was created with. With people that we felt really safe with and was. While I was, like, heavily pregnant. I mean, I guess we started writing it right before I got pregnant. And then really, the whole making of this album has been either me pregnant and then delivering, and then album is finished and delivered itself.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God.

[AJ Michalka]

Her water broke in, like, day two of, like, pre production at her house at my. Yeah, in the guest room at, like,

[Alex Cooper]

6:00am that's kind of like.

[AJ Michalka]

I was texting with Stephen.

[Ally Brooke]

It was very. It was like.

[AJ Michalka]

I'm like, what's going on in there? He's like, I think her water broke. I was like, what?

[Ally Brooke]

We just started, and then I got really nervous thinking ocd. I was like, she's gonna be pissed because this water is on her bed

[Alex Cooper]

and on the ground.

[AJ Michalka]

Not when it's like, your child. Although that is pretty funny. Ali's like, clean it up, Clean it up.

[Alex Cooper]

Get the rags. Wait. Oh, my God. We. Okay, so how long was the writing process of this album?

[AJ Michalka]

The writing was finished, so I would say the writing took a solid year.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

We really were ready to be like, these are the 15 songs we want to record. Chord. We're very, like.

[Ally Brooke]

Like, just. Maybe just under. Maybe just under a year.

[AJ Michalka]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

This is a hard question. What is your favorite song off the album?

[AJ Michalka]

That's hard. I'm so happy with this record, but I really think my number one is Michael's song. We wrote it about a really dear friend of ours that we had worked with in the industry for years, and he passed away last year. And we were like, we have to write about this.

[Ally Brooke]

And we were on tour.

[AJ Michalka]

We were on tour during the funeral. We weren't able to come. Our parents came on back behalf of us, which was really sweet. We're really close to his daughter and his wife. Literally, like a long standing member of the Alley and Agency.

[Ally Brooke]

Like the longest running team member. Yeah, for us, like, you know, so it was our business. It was kind of almost like a father figure, you know, so it was very hard to come to terms with it. And then we. We felt like this could be a song, you know, and it's so specific. Like, when you listen to the song and you read the lyrics, you're like, oh, that's is. This is very specifically about, like, the

[AJ Michalka]

very last time we saw him. And not knowing, of course, that it

[Ally Brooke]

would be that it was like our last dinner.

[Alex Cooper]

But I feel like that's such a powerful message because everyone has experienced grief, so they'll be able to, like, transport themselves probably when they're like, the last time they saw whoever it was to them that they lost and they. What is your favorite?

[Ally Brooke]

Honestly, it's kind of a tie between two, and I think it's because it has to do with my son and then the fact that. That I was leaving Laurel Canyon to then live in Santa Barbara, like, away from aj. And I wrote. I basically wrote this song with AJ about, like, moving into this new house and this new space and it not feeling like a home and feeling like I was kind of like summoning it to be this. This place that I felt welcomed in and not. Not like it had, like, bad juju or vibes. I just was like, this isn't perfect and this isn't right, and I want to change out this doorknob. And my husband's just like, okay. And I'm, like, pregnant and, like, nesting, and I'm just, like, frantic. Like, fix this. This needs to be fixed. And it just. And. And I was like, you know what? This would be a good song, like, willing this to happen and to make this space a home. And I really love AJ's the way she sings the bridge on. On that song. The song is called I don't know what It Is. And. And I think that song just, whenever I listen to it, it's almost kind of healing because I'm finally at a place where the home doesn't feel like a shell. Yeah, like a shell. It feels like, oh, this is a place that has good memories. And I associate, like, my birth and I birthed in this living Room right here. And this wasn't traumatic. This was all kind of what I hoped it would be. Oh, that's beautiful. Yeah. So I think it's like, the end story of it is really great, but it was very much me struggling to find my identity within the home. And then the other song that's, like, maybe equal to that is a song called Dandelions, which is about Jack. And we kind of wrote this pre him being born, which is crazy.

[AJ Michalka]

So knowing he was coming.

[Ally Brooke]

Knowing he was coming, and that we wanted him to, like, have this message of hope and, like, whatever dreams we're not able to reach, he is more than capable of reaching them himself, you know, that is.

[AJ Michalka]

And hopefully each generation reaches more.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, my God, how crazy and cool that you guys, like, one day, like, your son will get to watch you perform a song about him live and listen to it and have it forever. Like, that's such a beautiful gift.

[AJ Michalka]

I mean, that is the power of songwriting. Like, it really is. I think the other thing about specifically songwriting, and it's funny because I'm learning constantly about music we've actually already written, but I'm learning new things about what we've written after the fact. Like, to me, when a song takes on a new life, but it had a different meaning when you wrote it. Like, I don't know what it is now. When I listen to that song and I picture your home, which you've now created from the ground up, as, like, a beautiful nest, I'm like, whoa, this is so different than how we came at this song. Writing it, thinking we're splitting up as sisters. We're no longer going to live in the canyon by each other. We're like, what are we doing? We're going to be torn apart. And it's like, no, we're just shifting

[Alex Cooper]

into other parts of our life right now. That song is, like, shows your growth because now your house is a home, and now you're so happy. And now.

[AJ Michalka]

You know, I love how songwriting teaches you something, but you wrote it, like, and a year later, you're listening to it.

[Ally Brooke]

It's kind of cool in a way that's really cool. Is that how songwriting is?

[AJ Michalka]

It is.

[Ally Brooke]

And I think with this record, there was so much, like, feminine energy around it. And I think part of that was me being pregnant, but then part of that was us just going through the growing pains of, like, we are getting older and we don't live down the street from each other, and we. This, like, we aren't living in our childhood really. Anymore. We're. We're out of that phase, and we're

[AJ Michalka]

not in our 20s anymore, which we just got reminded by an executive.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah. Literally.

[Alex Cooper]

Stop.

[AJ Michalka]

No, we went to have a meeting. Like, I'm not getting, like, a label meeting.

[Ally Brooke]

And then they were like, last night, week. The.

[AJ Michalka]

The note was like, we love the record. We think it's amazing. But, like, we're not here to break women in their 30s. Like, we're here to break pops.

[Ally Brooke]

I was like, so we need to be, like, 21 or something. I was like, I'm 35.

[AJ Michalka]

I was like, I'm 33. I was like, we're still young as hell. And I was like, now I'm reminded that we're not.

[Ally Brooke]

After the meeting, she's like, I'm sorry. I just. I have to kind of like, what? Not after the meeting. I had to process after we had heard that it was a no. So it was like, you know, we did the meeting, and then it was like, you know, whatever. It was two days later, it was like, oh, a call's coming, you know, and we're kind of going, okay, well, I want. I to want hope. It's, like, positive. And then that was the feedback. And Adri's like, I just need to sit with this for a minute.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Because I'm like, I've never even thought of myself as not being in the zeitgeist of life. Right.

[Alex Cooper]

And you're also like, is the music good or no? Like, what does it have to do with how old I am? And it's like, how many times do you think they've said that to a man? Probably never.

[Ally Brooke]

Probably never.

[Alex Cooper]

We're not trying to break a. What?

[Ally Brooke]

I know.

[AJ Michalka]

I know. I'm like, we're not horses. Like, you don't need to break us.

[Ally Brooke]

Totally.

[AJ Michalka]

And we've broken.

[Ally Brooke]

And also, I think part of it was, besides, you know, like, you said, the.

[AJ Michalka]

The.

[Ally Brooke]

The fact that it's maybe not ideal age for breaking an artist, whatever, in the music industry. I think part of it was also, like, the album was completed and done. They couldn't meddle and change stuff.

[AJ Michalka]

It was finished.

[Ally Brooke]

Finished. It's not like, hey, here's some demos. And they're like, oh, yes, we love track one. No to two, three, and six.

[Alex Cooper]

Change this sound.

[Ally Brooke]

And you're like, no. And they were like, you know, and we wouldn't maybe go down this route, like, sonically for you. I'm like, like, us playing music and writing the music. Like, what? What do you mean?

[AJ Michalka]

Oh, yeah, it's wild.

[Alex Cooper]

So it was, though, a blessing that you guys did it on your own. And you don't want to work with someone that doesn't want to, like, doesn't want you in the way you are exactly at right now. Because clearly you guys said you have other records that you never put out. This feels right to you.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

So go with.

[Ally Brooke]

It's. It's. It's a message that. That is very pure and what it is. There's no, like, gimmick behind it. So. So they're not like, oh, I can. Like, it's harder to sell something. Yeah, it's harder to sell something. Cause they're like, what's the shtick? And it's like, just, we're sisters, we play music, we write. We've been doing this since you were young.

[Alex Cooper]

But I think that's, like, the best part about you guys. Like, I have to say, growing up and listening to you guys, you have such incredible voices. But hearing you perform live at my tour, I remember, like, pinching my best friend Lauren being like, their voices are so beautiful. Like, literally, you guys have, like, such incredible voices. And what I appreciate about you guys and about this album is actually more like that it is real. It is obvious when people have not written their music and when they're told to wear the certain thing and look the certain way. Just kind of like you guys are describing, you would go into meetings and you feel people trying to shift and mold you into something that you're not. And I think if people are looking for something in their life, music wise, that's actually going to connect them to the real that they're going through. And this is more of the album. I think, like, people right now are more interested in than maybe, who knows? No, but sure, you can love pop, but, like, I really think that you guys are connecting to something that people are loving, which is authenticity. So it's exactly what you're showing.

[Ally Brooke]

Yeah. And I feel like people gravitate towards that, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

Yes.

[AJ Michalka]

That's why this show works. Like, it's authentic.

[Ally Brooke]

Speaking to the truth. You can tell women talk and how women feel and how we communicate.

[AJ Michalka]

You knew that was a missing piece of peace.

[Alex Cooper]

Yes. Yeah.

[AJ Michalka]

Wasn't really going on.

[Alex Cooper]

I think it's so exciting to see you guys, like, back at it. And I think it also is such a testament to, like, your ability to be critical of yourselves. To be like, we didn't put out certain albums because it didn't feel right and we weren't ourselves. And so the fact that, like, this is all you. This was done at a very incredible, vulnerable, emotional time in both of your lives. Like, I think that the world is going to be, be so, so, so excited to hear and they're gonna love it. So I'm so excited for you guys. You are so lovely as human beings. I know we haven't spent that much time together, but, like, I feel like I now know you guys enough to be like, you guys are real ones. So thank you so much for taking the time during the holidays and coming and sitting down with me. You guys are the best.

[AJ Michalka]

Happy New Year.

[Ally Brooke]

You could be a little.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, I'm putting it on.

[AJ Michalka]

You're an honorary.

[Alex Cooper]

We look like we're really the youngest. I'm coming it. I'm going to put it on. Love you guys. Love you too.

[Ally Brooke]

Thank you,

[Alex Cooper]

Daddy gang.

[Adrianna]

You know, my priority in life is

[Alex Cooper]

to be comfortable at all times of the day.

[Adrianna]

I love a good hoodie. I love some cozy sweatpants.

[Alex Cooper]

And lately I have been loving and living in my hands free Skechers slip ins. Let me tell you something, okay? These have been a game changer for me when it comes to footwear. I love that I don't have to bend down and put these on. You can literally just slip right into them and you're good to go. I don't even have to deal with laces. Okay. I have seriously tied these shoes one time and I've never had to do it again. I'm usually the type of person that's just cramming my feet into my tied sneakers because I'm just too lazy to, you know, reach down and undo them. But these shoes are actually built for these. That genius. Okay. The best part is there are a ton of styles and colors to choose from. So whether you need a sandal or a sneaker or even a high performance running shoe, there is truly something for everyone. Every shoe is designed to feel like pillows under your feet because Skechers takes comfort as seriously as we all do. Also, the shoes are both affordable and machine washable, so you can now pay less and keep them looking newer longer.

[Adrianna]

If you're ready to upgrade your footwear

[Alex Cooper]

game and say insanely comfortable, head to skechers.com for the biggest selection in the world. Plus plus all the hard to find styles. That's [e-mail] call her daddy is brought to you by Stouffers.

[Adrianna]

Let me tell you something. When I am hungry and I am trying to figure out what to eat,

[Alex Cooper]

sometimes you can just actually become so you're angry. You're like, I am busy. I'm hungry. I'm getting hangry. I'm getting angry. What can I eat? I need something hot and delicious and low maintenance. While introducing Stouffer's dinners are not only delicious, they're done in a flash. Serve up their classic lasagna, chicken pesto or carbonara for two. Whatever you're craving, Stouffer's is your hot, delicious, easy meal fantasy. When the clock strikes dinner, think Stouffer's. You can see all the delicious [e-mail]

[Adrianna]

call her daddy is Brought to you by Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. We all know how good it feels to refresh our space and sometimes a little spring cleaning. Pick me up with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes is the best way to get back on track. Let me just say she's quick, she's easy, she's Clorox Disinfecting Wipes plus the lemon scent. Oh my God. You know what it reminds me of? My mom. My mom used these in our home growing up. No doubt about it. Our house smelled so incredibly clean and

[Alex Cooper]

now I just have them in my

[Adrianna]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Adrianna]

Guys, a quick wipe down is one of the easiest ways to channel a little spring cleaning energy. The wipes are perfect also for multitasking, so you can just get back to your day to day with ease and with a better vibe. Thanks to Clorox, we can have spring cleaning and they can get us through it, right? We don't need to stress. Thank you Clorox. Okay, so shop Clorox Disinfecting wipes [e-mail] Clorox wipes.