When the confetti settled and the votes were tallied, Alix Earle, paired with pro Val Chmerkovskiy, took a deep breath and let the emotions hit. In a raw and candid post-show interview with E! News, she admitted she was still riding a wave of adrenaline, and once it washed over her, “it just hit me like a drug.” Robert Irwin and Witney Carson took home the mirrorball.
Earle & Chmerkovskiy Post-Finale Thoughts
Despite finishing second in the Season 34 finale — with Robert Irwin and his partner winning the Mirrorball Trophy, Alix insisted she had “no hard feelings.” She called it “the best night ever” and insisted “it couldn’t have gone any better.”
She was emotional because this journey wasn’t just about dancing. For Alix, it meant all the late nights, sweat, vulnerability, and self-discovery. She told viewers this experience “changed my life” — more than a competition, it was a redefinition of who she is.
Finale Night: From Samba to Freestyle, Alix & Val’s Final Bow
On the night of the finale, Alix and Val stepped into the spotlight with three final dances — and delivered with polish, energy, and undeniable growth. Their Judges’ Choice round opened with a samba to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas — Alix slayed that with bold hip action, rhythm, and swagger; Val led with confidence, and together they delivered a samba that was sultry, sharp, and full of showmanship. The ballroom erupted.
Then came the freestyle: a mashup of “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports Car” by Tate McRae. The routine leaned into modern energy — with dramatic drops, expressive lifts, clean isolations, and moments that felt both fierce and graceful. The judges responded accordingly. Every performance that night earned them perfect scores.
Behind the glam and stage lights, though, was real pressure disguised as glitter. Ahead of the final night, Alix admitted to tears while rehearsing — more than once. She confessed that some nights she felt like she was “losing it,” torn between the expectations of fame, dance, and her own inner doubts.
At the end, she sent love and gratitude to Val, thanking him for pushing her through weeks of grueling rehearsals — the highs, the lows, the sweat, the glam, and all the transformation.
Love, Long Distance & Support: What’s Next for Alix and Her NFL Boyfriend
Even as the DWTS chapter closes, fans are also wondering what’s up with Alix’s personal life — in particular, her relationship with Braxton Berrios. EntertainmentNow’s profile on him highlighted their two-year relationship and how they’ve managed the balance between NFL life and social media / entertainment life.
Before her first dance on DWTS, Alix recalled a calming call with Braxton. She said he reminded her that feeling nervous meant she was doing something big — a sentiment he often tells himself before football games. That pep talk helped settle her jitters before stepping into the ballroom. Even with Braxton’s hectic schedule and long-distance challenges, Alix made it clear she appreciated his support. Their story — meeting in 2023, going public on a podcast, celebrating milestones, and navigating conflicting commitments — humanizes the glamour of DWTS.
Which means, while Alix closes this dance chapter, her love life is still dancing too — on a different rhythm.
