Alix Earle has built a digital empire on the premise of radical transparency, sharing everything from her meticulously curated “get ready with me” routines to the messy realities of her personal life. In a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, the social media mogul leaned into that vulnerability, admitting she once Alix Earle drunkenly texted her ex at 5 a.m. After a night out—a decision she now describes as a “bad idea.”
Speaking during the March 4 episode to promote her new skincare line, Reale Actives, Earle recounted the impulsive message with a mix of laughter and regret. When asked by Barrymore about the last poor decision she made, Earle didn’t hesitate to share the anecdote of a late-night lapse in judgment that resulted in a permanent silence between her and a former partner.
The story, which has since resonated with millions of followers who view Earle as a relatable figure despite her celebrity status, highlighted a moment of familial support in an otherwise regrettable situation. Earle described the scene as a blur of late-night hunger and intoxication, noting that she was waiting for mac and cheese to warm up in the microwave while attempting to navigate her phone with “one eye.”
Adding a touch of humor to the narrative, Earle revealed that her sister attempted to intervene, not by stopping the text, but by ensuring it was grammatically sound. “If you’re gonna send this, at least send it with it all spelled correctly,” her sister reportedly told her. Earle laughed, recalling how she found the spelling assistance “so great” in the moment, despite the inherent risk of the message.
The Aftermath of a 5 a.m. Impulse
While the process of sending the text was punctuated by sisterly bonding and comfort food, the emotional fallout was immediate. When Barrymore asked how she felt after hitting send, Earle’s response was blunt: “Oh, terrible.”
The outcome of the message was not a romantic reconciliation or a closure-filled conversation. Instead, Earle admitted that the text failed to spark any meaningful dialogue. “We haven’t talked since,” she confirmed during the interview, though she did not specify which former partner was the recipient of the message.
This admission fits into a broader pattern of Earle’s public journey through heartbreak and healing. The 25-year-old has been increasingly open about the difficulties of navigating high-profile breakups, emphasizing that the transition from intimacy to estrangement is often jarring.
Alix Earle in San Francisco for Super Bowl festivities.
Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty
Navigating Public Breakups and New Beginnings
The candid conversation on Barrymore’s show comes amid a complex romantic timeline for the influencer. Earle previously split from her longtime boyfriend, Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios, ending a relationship that spanned nearly two years. The separation, which occurred in late 2023, left Earle navigating the spotlight while dealing with the private grief of a lost partnership.
Shortly after the news of the split, Earle’s personal life became a subject of intense public speculation. She was spotted in St. Barths during New Year’s celebrations with retired New England Patriots legend Tom Brady. The sightings continued into February, with videos shared via social media showing the two talking and dancing at a party during Super Bowl LVIII weekend.
While representatives for both Earle and Brady have remained silent regarding the nature of their relationship, sources close to the situation indicated in early February that the pair were “hooking up.” This transition from a long-term relationship to a series of high-profile rumors has served as a backdrop for Earle’s recent reflections on the “terrible” feeling of post-breakup mistakes.
Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle in New York City.
Credit: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
The Emotional Toll of ‘Stranger’ Status
Beyond the drunken texts, Earle has used her platform to describe the psychological weight of seeing an ex-partner in a professional or social setting. In a TikTok posted in late February, she revealed that she had encountered her ex in person for the first time in months, describing the experience as “really weird, really hard.”
The encounter took place during the Palm Tree Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado. Both Earle and Berrios are investors in SipMARGS, the beverage brand that hosted a pre-party at Kemo Sabe. Earle admitted to being “really emotional” during the weekend, noting that while they were in the same space, they initially avoided one another to avoid “annoying” the other person.
Earle’s description of the event touched on a universal experience of heartbreak: the sudden shift in identity. “It’s weird when you go from someone being like your best friend to being a stranger in the corner of the room,” she said. “So that was tough. And by tough, I imply terrible.”
Timeline of Public Relationship Shifts
| Period | Event/Status | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Late 2023 | Split from Braxton Berrios | Ended a relationship of nearly two years. |
| Jan 2024 | Sighted with Tom Brady | Spotted together in St. Barths for New Year’s. |
| Feb 2024 | Super Bowl LVIII Weekend | Publicly seen dancing and talking at pre-game festivities. |
| Feb 2024 | Aspen Encounter | Briefly spoke with Berrios at the Palm Tree Music Festival. |
| March 2024 | Drew Barrymore Interview | Admitted to 5 a.m. Drunken texting an ex. |
As Earle continues to expand her business ventures with the launch of Reale Actives, she remains a primary example of the “influencer-as-friend” archetype, where the line between professional promotion and personal confession is intentionally blurred. By sharing her most embarrassing moments, she maintains a connection with her audience that transcends simple product endorsements.
Earle is expected to continue promoting her skincare line through a series of upcoming appearances and social media campaigns throughout the spring. Whether these public reflections lead to a permanent resolution with her past relationships remains unseen, but for now, she is focusing on the “human” side of fame.
Do you think the “drunken text” is a universal experience, or a lesson learned the hard way? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
