From dancing on TikTok to “Dancing with the Stars”: Mega-influencer Alix Earle, who has ties to Wisconsin, is about to make her ballroom debut on the long-running dance competition show.
“DWTS” Season 34 — which will mark the show’s 20-year anniversary — premieres Sept. 16 on ABC and Disney+.
Earle is one of 14 stars who have been paired with a slate of accomplished pros to take on ballroom dance. Earle’s partner is Valentin “Val” Chmerkovskiy, the husband of fellow “DWTS” pro Jenna Johnson. Johnson won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy last season with Green Bay Packers fan and former “Bachelor” Joey Graziadei.
“these past few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster … from the excitement of joining a show I’ve loved for years, to some moments of serious doubt about whether I could really get on stage and perform,” Earle shared in an Instagram post on the eve of premiere night.
Along with photos and videos from her “DWTS” journey thus far, Earle — who grew up dancing — gave a shoutout in the post to Val for pushing her to get out of her comfort zone and being incredibly patient with teaching her.
Here’s what to know about Earle, her Wisconsin connections and how to tune in to “DWTS”:
Who is Alix Earle?
Alix Earle is a “leading global social media personality,” host of the “Hot Mess with Alix Earle” podcast, an investor and a philanthropist, according to her “DWTS” bio.
Earle — a New Jersey native who lives in Miami — became known for her “GRWM” TikTok videos in which she talks about what’s going on in her life while she applies makeup and picks out a fit.
While jet-setting and sharing those glamorous moments, Earle also comes off as down-to-earth, goofy and relatable, opening up about what it’s like being a 20-something and her own insecurities.
Earle has collabed with and invested in poppi and SipMARGS. She’s worked with several brands, including Amazon, Pantene, L’Oréal, Hawaiian Tropic, FRAME and Hero Cosmetics. She’s appeared in Super Bowl campaigns for poppi and Carl’s Jr.
Earle founded the community initiative Serving in Heels — powered by the Caesar-Iglesias Family Foundation — in which volunteers — in heels — cook, package and serve meals to those who need them in the Miami area. The University of Miami alum also has a scholarship offered to business students at her alma mater. And she’s a foster dog mom.
In 2024, Earle was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 — social media list, was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s inaugural digital cover star and walked in the SI Swimsuit runway show for Miami Swim Week.
It was also that year that Earle faced backlash after screenshots surfaced of her using a racial slur on her ask.fm account when she was 13, according to a USA TODAY report. She confirmed the screenshots were real and apologized for her ignorance as a teen.
What is Alix Earle’s connection to Wisconsin?
Alix’s mom, Alisa, is from Wisconsin and her side of the family still lives here.
Has Alix Earle ever been to Wisconsin?
Yes! Several times.
Alix and her sister, Ashtin, once spent a summer living in Milwaukee, Alix said in a 2023 TikTok.
Here’s a look at some of Alix’s most-recent stints in the state:
Her summer 2023 trip to Milwaukee included Bradford Beach with family, partying at The Outsider, shopping 414Flea and Kopp’s.
Earle returned twice in 2024. She came last June to surprise her grandma and introduce her to her beau, Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios. During that visit, Alix filmed a funny TikTok with her mom and grandma at the Harbor House, danced like nobody was watching — or filming — at RWB Milwaukee, swung by the Milwaukee Public Market and more.
Earle was back again at the end of November and had “the best Thanksgiving ever” in Green Bay. She swung by Kopp’s on the way up to the Frozen Tundra and did Blackout Wednesday at Black Saddle Tavern & Oasis.
The centerpiece of the trip was the Packers vs. Miami Dolphins game at Lambeau Field. At that time, Braxton was on the Miami Dolphins — though injury prevented him from sitting on the sidelines and traveling, Earle explained in a TikTok.
Earle and 45 relatives and family friends got the party started in a party bus, then later, watched the game from a suite.
“It truly was just really magical,” Earle said in her game day vlog. “My family was having so much fun. It was the best Thanksgiving ever. I just kept crying.”
When does ‘Dancing with the Stars’ start in 2025?
“Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 premieres at 9 p.m. CT Sept. 16. It’ll be simulcast live on ABC and Disney+, then be available the next day on Hulu.
Who’s on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 34 in 2025?
According to a news release from “DWTS,” these are the stars and their pro dance partners:
Some past Wisconsin ‘Dancing with the Stars’ connections
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mega-influencer Alix Earle, who has Wisconsin ties, is going to be on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Reporting by Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
