Anderson Cooper Responds to Over 30,000 DMs from Fans

Anderson Cooper, the longtime CNN anchor, values his interaction with listeners. He spoke about his podcast, All There Is with Anderson Cooper, during a discussion on February 20 at On Air Fest in Brooklyn. This podcast delves into navigating grief by fostering raw, honest conversations.

Cooper shared insights about the podcast's voicemail feature, which allows listeners to leave messages. "I think the first season we got 46 hours of calls," he said, noting the volume rose with the current season yielding around 3,000 calls. "I’ve listened to about 6,000 calls now," Cooper added, grateful for the wealth of insights he receives.

He described the messages as "extraordinary." Cooper highlighted that the variety of grief expressed by callers has been enlightening. Listening to these voicemails has been emotionally impactful: "I spent months listening to them and found myself weeping uncontrollably." His experiences with these calls have aided him in processing his own grief.

During the event, an audience member inquired if Cooper reached out to any voices he had heard. He explained that his communication doesn't only include voicemails. Tens of thousands of fans have also sent him messages on social media. "In terms of direct messages on Instagram, I'm not sure how many. There are probably 30,000," he noted.

Despite this enormous volume, Cooper makes an effort to engage. "I go through my Instagram at the end of each day and check the messages," he explained. He prioritizes those related to grief, responding to many, even with brief notes or voice messages. "I don't want to hurt their feelings," he said, underlining his dedication to connecting.

Cooper mentioned that some connections run deeper, as he maintains contact with individuals who have shared their stories. "I'm in constant contact with a number of people," he stated. While he has not met them, he communicates regularly with those who reach out for support.

New episodes of "All There Is with Anderson Cooper" release every Wednesday.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Angela Bassett expressed disappointment over Oscar loss to Jamie Lee Curtis.