Alex Rodriguez’s two daughters, Natasha and Ella, got vulnerable about their respective relationships with the Yankees legend in the new HBO documentary miniseries, “Alex vs. ARod.”
During Episode 2 of the three-part event — which explores Rodriguez’s dualities on and off the field over 22 seasons — Natasha says she and her father are “social butterflies,” while Ella explains that life in the spotlight has been “weird” for her.
“I don’t like calling myself ‘A-Rod’s daughter,'” says Ella, 17. “I actually hate that. Growing up, people would always say, ‘Your dad is A-Rod? Will A-Rod be here?’
“Then I just hear that and think, ‘Guys, he has a name – it’s Alex. He’s a real person.’
“I don’t know, it’s always been a bit weird for me… I think I’m very ambitious because of him. If he really plans, he can’t tell him otherwise. All three of us are like that. A lot of the discipline I have is thanks to him.”
Natasha, who attended the University of Michigan, goes on to explain that she and her father are “copies” of each other.
“My father and I are like twin flames in work ethic, passion and drive [and] ambition,” said Natasha, 20. “We are social butterflies, but our circles are very small. So we are kind of copies of each other.
“… Alex is the best, but your ego thrives on your achievements and all the things you can list that you do, and that’s something I always do… And A-Rod has a lot of that.”
Part 2 of “Alex vs. ARod” also includes commentary from the girls’ mother and Rodriguez’s ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, who wasn’t concerned about what life was like during his tenure with the Yankees.
“It was exciting, but also very tough,” says Cynthia. “… You’re on a baseball schedule. And I’m not going to pretend it was great. It wasn’t great. It’s not great.”
“… It was a different level of exposure, different numbers of people watching, it was just different, it was New York.”
Rodriguez, now 50, embraced the spotlight while in New York.
The Fox Sports analyst and Cynthia — who married in 2002 and divorced in 2008 — are close friends and co-parents.
“He wanted to have kids right after we got married, and I was the one who wasn’t ready to have kids,” Cynthia says. “He wouldn’t be able to contribute much with his schedule, so I knew the biggest part would fall on my shoulders. But he’s very persuasive. When he wants something, he’s very persuasive.”
Rodriguez adds that his daughters are the most rewarding part of his life.
“I always wanted to provide what my father couldn’t do for our family: a safe place,” he says. “Watching them grow and being a part of their lives has been by far the most rewarding part of my life.
The ex-couple and their daughters attended the red carpet premiere of “Alex vs. ARod” in New York on Monday.
Rodriguez’s girlfriend Jaclyn Cordeiro was there, as was retired quarterback Tom Brady.
Episode 1 of “Alex vs. ARod” premieres on Thursday, November 6, followed by episode. 2 on November 13 and the final on November 20.
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