Justin Sylvester made a cheeky reference to Alix Earle’s DMs on live TV at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards — a move that instantly sparked fan theories about her rumored romance with Tom Brady and breakup with Braxton Berrios.
Justin Sylvester didn’t just walk the red carpet at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards—he turned it into a comedy set. The 39-year-old comedian, hosting E! Live pre-show, delivered a punchline that fans immediately interpreted as a sly nod to Alix Earle’s DMs—a phrase that has become shorthand for their ongoing digital flirtation since her split from Braxton Berrios.
“Welcome back to E! live from the Critics Choice Awards, where we are kicking off the 2026 awards show season,” Sylvester said, setting up his bit. “Do not forget that this is all leading up to the main event.” He paused for effect before dropping the mic: “And no, I’m not talking about Alix Earle’s DMs, I’m talking about the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards hosted by Chelsea Handler.”
The joke landed like a perfectly timed punchline—but it wasn’t just humor. It was a cultural moment. Sylvester’s line echoed through social media, with fans dissecting whether he was referencing their real-time DMs or simply using the phrase as a comedic device. Either way, the timing couldn’t be more deliberate: less than one month after Earle confirmed her breakup with Berrios, and weeks after she was photographed cozying up to Tom Brady at a New Year’s Eve party in St. Barths.
Earle’s relationship with Berrios had already been under intense scrutiny since early 2025, when insiders told Us Weekly that their long-distance dynamic—mostly due to Earle’s relocation to California for Dancing With the Stars season 34 and Berrios’ base in Florida—was taking its toll. “Majority of their relationship was long-distance and it was hard for them to navigate,” one source revealed. “They mutually agreed on the split.”
In December 2025, Earle broke down in tears on TikTok, sharing her side of the story. “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,” she confessed. “It’s just been really difficult for me. I think that was a scary thing for me to realize because it meant us not being in the same place.” She added, “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.”
Meanwhile, Berrios offered his own take, claiming he would’ve been at Earle’s DWTS performances if circumstances allowed. “It just kinda feels like we’re on two different paths right now and it sucks,” Earle said. “We’re on good terms and I don’t want anyone to come for him or be mean to him. I think I ultimately just wanted to go with trusting my feelings. This has just been really hard. … 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.”
Weeks later, Earle was spotted enjoying herself with Brady at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Palm Tree Crew in St. Barths. “Alix and Tom were together the entire night on New Year’s Eve partying,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly. “They met through mutual friends who were also in St. Barths and had an instant connection. There was a lot of chemistry between them.” While the insider emphasized that the interaction was strictly platonic—“They were together laughing, dancing and partying, enjoying themselves”—fans couldn’t help but speculate whether this chemistry could evolve into something more.
Sylvester’s joke didn’t just reference Earle’s DMs—it referenced her entire public narrative. From her emotional exit from Berrios to her flirtatious moments with Brady, Earle’s life has become a soap opera in real time. And Sylvester? He’s the perfect comic voice to comment on it.
Her reaction to being featured in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour documentary alongside Berrios only added fuel to the fire. “Alix and Tom were together the entire night on New Year’s Eve partying,” a source told Us Weekly. “They met through mutual friends who were also in St. Barths and had an instant connection. There was a lot of chemistry between them.”
While Earle insists she’s not looking for another relationship, fans continue to speculate about her future. Will her DMs lead to a new chapter? Or is this just the latest phase of her journey—one that includes dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy, splitting from Berrios, and hanging out with Brady?
Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: Justin Sylvester’s joke will be remembered. Not just for its humor, but for its cultural significance. In a world where celebrity relationships unfold in real time, Sylvester’s quick wit captured the essence of Earle’s current situation—and gave fans exactly what they wanted: a little drama, a little laughter, and a whole lot of intrigue.
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