Alix Earle and Val Open Up After DWTS Finale Second Place

From Perfect Scores to Happy Tears, Their Finale Night Was Magical

When the confetti finally settled and the Mirrorball winner was announced, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy were still buzzing with emotion. Even though they finished in second place at the DWTS Season 34 finale, Alix made one thing very clear in her post-show interviews: she had zero regrets and all the gratitude.

Image source: ig/alix_earle

Image source: ig/alix_earle

Talking to E! News right after the show, Alix said the adrenaline was unreal. Once it finally wore off, the emotions hit her “like a drug.” And honestly? That checks out. While Robert Irwin and Witney Carson took home the Mirrorball Trophy, Alix called the night “the best night ever” and said it “couldn’t have gone any better.” No hard feelings—just pure happiness.

For Alix, this journey was never just about dance steps and scores. It was about the late nights, the sweat, the vulnerability, and the personal growth. She openly shared that DWTS “changed my life” and helped redefine who she is—not just as an influencer, but as a person.

Image source: ig/alix_earle

Finale night was all about growth—and wow, did they deliver. Alix and Val hit the floor for three final performances, and every single one earned perfect scores. Their Judges’ Choice samba to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas was full of bold hip action, sharp rhythm, and total confidence. The ballroom was on fire.

Then came the freestyle, set to a fierce mashup of “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports Car” by Tate McRae. The routine blended modern attitude with elegant power—dramatic drops, expressive lifts, clean isolations, and major star energy. The judges loved it. The crowd lost it. The internet? Still talking about it.

Image source: ig/alix_earle

But behind all the glam and glitter, the pressure was very real. Alix admitted that during rehearsals, she cried more than once. Some nights, she felt like she was “losing it,” trying to balance fame, expectations, and her own self-doubt. Through it all, Val was her rock. After the finale, she thanked him for pushing her through the toughest moments, the endless rehearsals, and the emotional highs and lows that transformed her completely.

Image source: ig/alix_earle

And of course, fans couldn’t help but wonder about Alix’s personal life—especially her relationship with NFL star Braxton Berrios. The two have been together for about two years, juggling long distance, football life, and the digital spotlight. Before her very first DWTS performance, Alix shared that Braxton gave her a calming pep talk, reminding her that feeling nervous just means you’re doing something big—something he tells himself before games.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alix Earle (@alix_earle)

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Braxton Berrios (@braxtonberrios)

Even with hectic schedules and miles between them, Alix made it clear how much his support means to her. From meeting in 2023 to going public and cheering each other on through major careers, their story adds a very real, human layer to all the sparkle of DWTS.

Second place or not, Alix Earle didn’t just finish the season—she owned it.