Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy: The Truth About Her Family
It was the episode everyone saw coming, yet nobody was actually ready for. When the USWNT star sat down with Alex Cooper on the Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy episode, the soccer world stopped. Usually, when we see Trinity, she’s the high-energy "Triple Espresso" forward terrorizing defenders on the wing. She’s all "Trin Spins" and gold medals. But this was different. This wasn't about her pace or her tactical fit under Emma Hayes.
Honestly? It was about a girl who grew up without a dad.
The interview, which dropped in late December 2024, wasn't just a PR stop. It was a massive breaking point. Trinity basically admitted that for years, she’s been the one protecting the "Rodman" brand while the man himself, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, was largely absent. It’s wild to think that while the world was watching "The Last Dance" and praising her father’s rebounding, Trinity and her mom were literally living out of an SUV.
Why the Call Her Daddy Interview Hit So Hard
Alex Cooper has a way of getting people to say the "quiet part" out loud. For Trinity, that meant admitting that Dennis Rodman is "not a dad." She told the Daddy Gang that he’s a person, maybe a father by blood, but that’s where it ends.
One of the most heartbreaking parts of the Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy interview was the detail about their financial struggle. People assume because your dad made $27 million in the NBA, you’re set. Not the case here. Trinity talked about how her mom, Michelle Moyer, had to fight for everything. After the divorce, things got ugly. Trinity described her father as "controlling" with money. They’d go on fancy shopping sprees because he liked the image of it, but they’d be struggling to pay rent or buy In-N-Out after school.
It’s a bizarre contrast. You’re at a jersey retirement ceremony one day, dressed in designer clothes for the cameras, and then you’re back to reality the next. Trinity called it "the weirdest thing." They were performing the "happy family" role for his legacy while he was missing his own kids' milestones.
The "Addiction" Conversation
She didn't hold back on the alcoholism, either.
"He’s an alcoholic," Trinity said. She mentioned she didn't really want to say it, but then followed up with a "f--- it, it's just the truth." This kind of honesty is why the episode went viral. We’ve seen Dennis Rodman in the news for decades—North Korea trips, Vegas benders, you name it—but we never heard the perspective of the child left in the wake of that chaos.
That Famous 2021 Hug Was a Lie
Remember that viral clip from 2021? Trinity is playing for the Washington Spirit, and suddenly Dennis shows up in the stands. They hug. She’s crying. The media ate it up as this beautiful reconciliation.
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On the Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy podcast, she finally set the record as straight as it gets. She wasn't crying because she was happy. She was crying because she was overwhelmed and, frankly, pissed off. He hadn't spoken to her in months. He hadn't seen a game in years. Then, he shows up when the cameras are rolling, grabs her head, and she just breaks down.
"You f---ed with my head again," she recalled thinking.
What’s the Current Status of Their Relationship?
If you’re wondering if they’ve patched things up since the episode aired, the answer is a pretty firm no. In fact, after the interview, Dennis tried to do a public apology on Instagram. He posted a long caption saying he "never will stop" trying to be the dad she wanted.
Trinity wasn't having it.
She posted to her Instagram story calling his response "a joke." She basically said she was "wiping her hands with it" and was officially done. In her eyes, the apology was just another bid for attention rather than a private attempt to fix what was broken.
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Currently, in 2026, Trinity seems more focused than ever on her own path. She’s back from a nagging back injury that kept her out for a big chunk of 2025, and she’s already scoring game-winners for the Spirit. Plus, she’s been vocal about her relationship with tennis star Ben Shelton, calling him her soulmate. It feels like she’s finally building the stable family life she never had as a kid.
Key Takeaways from the Interview
If you haven't listened to the full hour, here is the "too long; didn't listen" version:
- Living Situation: There were times Trinity, her mom, and her brother DJ lived in a Ford Expedition and motels because they couldn't afford a home.
- The PR Facade: Trinity admitted she used to give "perfect PR answers" to protect her father’s image in interviews, but she’s over it.
- The "Conscience" Calls: She still occasionally answers his phone calls, but not because she wants to talk. She does it so that if anything ever happens to him, she can live with her own conscience knowing she picked up.
- Superstitions: On a lighter note, she’s a "gum diva." She goes through four pieces of peppermint gum a game and will "throw a tantrum" if she doesn't have it.
What This Means for Women’s Sports
The Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy episode was a turning point for how we talk about female athletes. For so long, Trinity was just "Dennis Rodman’s daughter." Now? Dennis is increasingly becoming "Trinity Rodman’s father."
She’s the highest-paid player in the NWSL for a reason. She’s a gold medalist. She’s a brand. By reclaiming her narrative on a platform as big as CHD, she signaled to the world that she’s no longer carrying the weight of her father’s shadow.
How to Apply Trinity’s Resilience to Your Own Life
Watching Trinity navigate such a public trauma is actually pretty inspiring. She didn't let a "feral" locker room or a chaotic home life stop her from becoming the best in the world.
If you're dealing with a complicated family dynamic, here are a few actionable insights from her story:
- Stop Protecting the People Who Hurt You: Trinity spent years "holding in the anger" to keep her dad looking good. You don't owe anyone a fake version of your history.
- Define Your Own Success: She could have been a "nepo baby" socialite. Instead, she chose the hardest path possible—professional sports—where your last name can't score goals for you.
- Set Hard Boundaries: Sometimes "wiping your hands" of a situation, like she did after his Instagram apology, is the only way to protect your mental health.
Trinity is moving on. She’s focused on the 2026 SheBelieves Cup and keeping the Washington Spirit at the top of the table. The Trinity Rodman Call Her Daddy episode wasn't an ending; it was her finally clearing the field so she could play her own game.
Next Steps for You: If you want to understand the full weight of the "Triple Espresso" era, look up the match highlights from the 2024 Olympic final against Brazil. Seeing her joy on that podium makes the context of this interview even more powerful. You can also follow her journey on Instagram, where she’s been documenting her recovery and her life with Ben Shelton, proving that you can absolutely build a "happy little family" on your own terms.