Days after their split became public, NFL star Braxton Berrios addressed fan backlash for missing Alix Earle’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ journey, explaining that his demanding in-season schedule made it impossible to attend.
In the world of high-profile celebrity relationships, optics are everything. So when social media influencer Alix Earle spent an entire season on Dancing with the Stars without her then-boyfriend, NFL player Braxton Berrios, in the audience, fans took notice. Now, just days after news of their breakup surfaced, Berrios has taken to social media to set the record straight about his conspicuous absence.
The exchange unfolded in the comments section of an Instagram post by Berrios. The Houston Texans wide receiver, 30, shared photos of his game day attire with the seemingly innocuous caption, “What did I miss?” Fans, however, interpreted it as a direct reference to his ex-girlfriend’s recent television run and were quick to respond.
The Social Media Showdown
When one commenter bluntly replied, “Every single performance of alixs,” Berrios didn’t hesitate to defend himself. “I would’ve been at every one if I could’ve,” he wrote. “Sadly I can’t travel like that in season.”
He reiterated the point to another user, stating, “I would’ve loved to be. Sadly I wasn’t able to travel like that in-season.” His defense points to the logistical nightmare of balancing a demanding professional football career with a partner’s commitments in Los Angeles. The rigorous training, travel, and game schedule for an active NFL player makes cross-country trips for a weekly live show a significant challenge, a detail confirmed by team schedules published by outlets like ESPN.
The drama didn’t end there. Shortly after Berrios’s post, Earle made a timely post of her own, sharing a series of photos with the caption, “Can’t a girl just go dancing.” Fans immediately connected the two posts, speculating whether it was a coordinated exchange or a sign of post-breakup tension playing out in the public eye.
A High-Profile Romance Ends
The public back-and-forth comes on the heels of confirmation that the couple had gone their separate ways. After two years together, sources confirmed the mutual split to People on December 5. Their relationship, which often played out for millions of followers on social media, had become a fixture in both the sports and influencer worlds.
Despite his inability to attend live tapings, Berrios had previously shown his support from afar. He periodically posted photos of Earle’s performances on his Instagram Stories and even sent a supportive video message that aired during the show’s finale week. Earle herself had previously acknowledged the scheduling conflict, telling reporters early in the season that Berrios was “stuck in football world” and wouldn’t be able to make it to the shows.
Earle’s Impressive ‘DWTS’ Journey
While the relationship drama captured headlines, Alix Earle, 24, had a remarkable run on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. Partnered with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, the TikTok sensation impressed both judges and audiences, ultimately securing the runner-up position.
The Mirrorball Trophy was ultimately awarded to conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson on the November 25 finale. Earle’s strong showing, however, solidified her crossover appeal from social media star to mainstream entertainer.
While Berrios has offered a logical and verifiable reason for his absence, the timing of his public explanation—intertwined with a fresh breakup—adds a layer of complexity. It’s a modern celebrity story where private realities clash with public perception, all played out in the court of social media opinion.
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