Sofia Vannina Franklyn, a podcast host and former co-creator of the popular show “Call Her Daddy,” married John Benjamin Messamore, a private equity professional from London, following a relationship that began through a matchmaking agency.
Franklyn, 34, first signed up for the matchmaking service in 2021 at the encouragement of a friend during a period of personal transition. Initially skeptical about the concept, which she considered outdated, she went on a date arranged by the agency but did not pursue it further at the time. The agency reconnected with her in 2024, proposing a match with Messamore, who had been struggling to find a compatible partner through dating apps.
Messamore, 39, described his initial expectations as hesitant. Their backgrounds and lifestyles seemed disparate: Franklyn is a public figure and podcast host in New York City, while Messamore works in finance and prefers privacy in London. Moreover, Franklyn had previously been involved in a highly publicized fallout with her former co-host, Alex Cooper, after their successful podcast “Call Her Daddy” dissolved in 2020. Since then, Franklyn launched her own show, “Sofia With an F.”
Despite apparent differences, their first meeting in Manhattan in September 2024 exceeded expectations. The pair connected over shared middle-class upbringings, a common language in Spanish, and discussions ranging from philosophy to literature. Both expressed a desire for serious relationships—Messamore seeking a life partner and Franklyn viewing her next relationship as potentially her last.
Their relationship progressed through long-distance communication and subsequent in-person dates in locations including Paris, Miami, and New York. Messamore traveled between London and New York, while Franklyn maintained her home in Manhattan. The couple cited moments of quiet companionship as foundational to their bond, emphasizing shared interests in music, film, and leisure.
The engagement occurred in August 2025 at Airelles La Bastide in Gordes, France, where Messamore proposed over breakfast. Legal marriage took place on July 31, 2026, in Brunate, Italy, through a remote ceremony officiated via Zoom by an ordained minister in Utah, where the couple had obtained their marriage license. The ceremony was recognized under Utah law.
Following the legal wedding, the couple hosted a series of celebratory events in Italy. These included a welcome dinner in Argegno and a wedding celebration on August 2 at Villa Pizzo in Lombardy, attended by approximately 140 guests. The ceremony was led by Shelley J. Whitehead, a relationship coach who had worked with the couple prior to their engagement.
Franklyn, who has been open about her evolving views on relationships since her early career, reflected on her journey, noting growth beyond the youthful persona she once embodied. She is set to release a memoir titled “Daddy Issues” in November, recounting her experiences on “Call Her Daddy,” the ensuing personal challenges, and her path to reinvention.
The couple is planning to start a family, with Franklyn expressing a desire to follow traditional steps of marriage before parenthood. Their union marks a transition in Franklyn’s public narrative—from a prominent voice in casual, candid dating culture to someone embracing deeper commitment and personal evolution.