Alix Earle, social media influencer and partner of NFL player Braxton Berrios, continues to push boundaries on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 alongside professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. After a cha-cha in the premiere and a jive in week two, Earle and Chmerkovskiy entered week three—dubbed “TikTok Night”—with high expectations and substantial pressure.
Alix & Val’s Third Performance & Score
Earle and Chmerkovskiy receive a 23 out of 30 which is their best score on this season. Their song choice of “Pop Muzik” by M is a viral TikTok sound where creators attempt to recreate the infectious dance. Earle claims the internet will “freak out” over this performance.
TikTok Night Performance & Reception
On the night of the third episode, the show adopted a “TikTok Night” theme, compelling all celebrity-pro duos to dance to songs that gained virality on social media. The pair performed a Quickstep to “Pop Muzik” by M / Robin Scott, a song known for its danceable, upbeat tempo and popularity on TikTok. Their run order placed them near the end of the night, which often heightens both spotlight and scrutiny.
While a full critique with judges’ scores has not yet been widely published, initial reactions highlighted the daring nature of their move selections and the risk of execution errors. Some commentators applauded their willingness to integrate trending TikTok energy into ballroom choreography, while others questioned whether the shift to Quickstep placed too steep a technical demand so early in the season. Observers also noted that Earle’s prior consistency—performing a cha-cha to Britney Spears’ “Circus” in episode one and then a jive to Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5” in week two—set expectations high for continued growth.
Beyond the performance itself, fans and media responded to Earle’s vulnerability during rehearsals and her readiness to share the behind-the-scenes grittiness. Many applauded her transparency about bruises, falls, and doubts. In social media forums, commenters expressed admiration for her perseverance and praised her comedic reaction to mishaps (she captioned her fall video “HAHAHAH”). Meanwhile, critics remained cautious: integrating viral content must still comply with ballroom technique, and judges may penalize moments that appear too “showy” or misaligned with genre expectations.
Rehearsal Hurdles & Physical Toll
In the days leading up to week three, Earle and Chmerkovskiy shared glimpses of rehearsal struggles through social media. On September 27, Earle posted a TikTok video capturing a dramatic misstep: she and Chmerkovskiy attempted a two-person cartwheel and crashed to the floor. In that clip, Chmerkovskiy lands on or over Earle’s head as the music plays in the background. The pair laughed afterward and then resumed practice. Observers, including Chmerkovskiy’s niece, reacted with visible concern. Alongside these falls, Earle revealed that she had suffered bruises on her collarbone and had even lost a toenail during earlier rehearsals. She admitted the training pushed her stamina to the limit, forcing her to pause mid-practice to regroup.
In interviews with E! News, Earle acknowledged the frustration: she felt choreographed moves looked effortless in Chmerkovskiy’s execution but awkward when she attempted them. Chmerkovskiy, in turn, said he approached the TikTok-themed episodes cautiously, noting that he had “resisted” fully leaning into them before but wanted to ensure they resonated authentically.
Alix Earle’s third performance on “Dancing with the Stars” in “TikTok Night” marked a turning point. She and Val Chmerkovskiy challenged themselves with a high-tempo Quickstep to a viral track—a bold choice given her physical discomfort and rehearsal mishaps. Though full judge commentary is pending, the performance underscores her commitment to combining social media sensibility with dance discipline. At a moment when contestants’ trajectories can shift, Earle’s openness about struggles may deepen audience support as she fights to remain in the competition.
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