In the wake of a highly publicized breakup, social media influencer Alix Earle has shared raw emotions from an unexpected encounter with her ex-boyfriend, NFL player Braxton Berrios. The 25-year-old TikTok star, known for her candid vlogs and massive online following, revealed on February 25 that seeing Berrios for the first time since their split left her deeply unsettled. Earle described the moment as "really hard" and "really weird" in a TikTok video, capturing the awkwardness of transitioning from close partners to distant strangers.
Earle and Berrios, a 30-year-old wide receiver for the New York Jets, ended their two-year relationship in December 2025, according to a report from Us Weekly. The couple had navigated significant challenges due to long-distance arrangements, particularly after Earle relocated to Los Angeles to compete on Dancing With the Stars. An insider told Us Weekly at the time, "[The] majority of their relationship was long-distance and it was hard for them to navigate. They mutually agreed on the split."
During the emotional TikTok post, Earle recounted the specifics of the reunion, which occurred at an unspecified event where both were present but initially avoided interaction. "I was really emotional the first night," she shared. "We were, like, in the same place, but we didn’t say ‘hi’ to each other, just ’cause I didn’t want to, like, go up and annoy him, I don’t know." Eventually, she mustered the courage for a brief conversation, but the experience proved overwhelming. "It’s weird when you go from someone being, like, your best friend to being a stranger in the corner of the room. So that was tough — and by tough I mean, terrible," Earle said.
The influencer's vulnerability resonated with fans, one of whom drew a poignant parallel to Taylor Swift's 2017 track "New Year's Day" from the album Reputation. In the song's comments section on TikTok, the fan's suggestion prompted Earle to listen for the first time. On March 1, she posted a follow-up video showing herself in tears, her face flushed from sobbing. "I didn’t know that song and then I just looked it up and guys, what the H?" she exclaimed. "I’m literally purple from crying. I look like Barney."
Overlaying text on the video read, “‘Alix Earle hasn’t been posting much.’ Probably bc this is me spiraling every night." This glimpse into Earle's post-breakup struggles highlights the personal toll of the separation, especially as she has been less active on social media lately. The clip, which quickly garnered attention, underscores how Swift's music often serves as a soundtrack for heartbreak in the digital age, particularly among young influencers like Earle.
“Braxton and I are no longer together. We have been doing long distance since, basically, June and we haven’t got to see each other that often. It’s just been really difficult for me,” Earle said in an Instagram video breaking her silence on the split.
Earle's initial announcement about the breakup provided deeper context into the relationship's unraveling. She explained that her participation in Dancing With the Stars in Los Angeles had been a motivating factor, pushing her toward a potential permanent move. Berrios, committed to his football schedule in the East Coast, was unable to attend any of the live shows. "I think that was a scary thing for me to realize because it meant us not being in the same place," Earle continued in the video.
Guilt over her divided attention weighed heavily on her, as she felt unable to fully support Berrios. "A part of me also really wants to be focusing on myself right now. I just feel like I can’t be what Braxton needs. I want him to have someone who can be there for him 24/7 and support him. He wasn’t really expecting that of me … I constantly felt guilty," she admitted. This sentiment reflects the broader challenges faced by couples in the public eye, where professional ambitions often clash with personal commitments.
Despite the difficulties, Earle emphasized that the decision was mutual and amicable. "We’re on good terms and I don’t want anyone to come for him or be mean to him," she urged her followers. "I think I ultimately just wanted to go with trusting my feelings. This has just been really hard. … It’s not drama. It’s not because he did anything wrong or I did anything wrong. It just didn’t really feel like it was working out, in the moment." Berrios has not publicly commented on the encounter or the breakup, maintaining a low profile amid his ongoing NFL season.
The couple's romance, which began in early 2023, was marked by public displays of affection and shared travels, as documented in Earle's social media posts. Berrios, a Stanford University alum who has played for the New England Patriots and Jets, brought athletic stability to the relationship, while Earle's rising fame as a content creator with over 7 million TikTok followers added a layer of high-pressure visibility. Their paths diverged notably after June 2025, when long-distance became the norm.
Post-split rumors have swirled around Earle's personal life, including a reported link to NFL legend Tom Brady. According to Us Weekly, the pair were spotted together at a nightclub in St. Barts on New Year's Eve, sparking speculation. A source described their connection as casual: Earle and Brady, 48, are “hooking up, but it’s not serious.” Neither has confirmed the reports, and Earle has focused her content on self-reflection rather than new romances.
Earle's emotional outpouring comes at a pivotal time in her career. After placing in the top ranks on Dancing With the Stars, she has hinted at expanding her brand beyond TikTok, potentially including more acting or hosting opportunities in Los Angeles. The city's vibrant entertainment scene offers fresh prospects, but it also means further distance from her Miami roots and past relationships like the one with Berrios.
Fans and observers have noted Earle's authenticity as a key to her appeal, turning personal setbacks into relatable content. Her Taylor Swift-inspired breakdown video, viewed millions of times, exemplifies this approach, blending vulnerability with humor—comparing her tear-streaked face to the purple dinosaur Barney. It serves as a reminder of how celebrities like Earle humanize fame's isolating aspects.
Looking ahead, Earle appears poised to channel her experiences into growth. In recent posts, she has teased upcoming projects, suggesting a return to more frequent content creation. Meanwhile, Berrios continues his professional football career, with the Jets preparing for the 2026 season. The former couple's story illustrates the transient nature of relationships in the fast-paced worlds of social media and professional sports.
As Earle navigates this chapter, her openness invites empathy from a global audience. The incident at the event, though brief, underscores the lingering impact of lost connections. For now, Swift's lyrics seem to echo Earle's sentiment: holding onto faded photographs and the ache of what once was.