Alix Earle, a prominent social media influencer and current contestant on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ emotionally shared a video on Instagram where she broke down in tears following a difficult rehearsal with her partner Val Chmerkovskiy for the show’s upcoming Halloween Night episode.
On Friday, October 24, 2025, Earle posted a candid video on her Instagram account showing her in distress after leaving a ‘Dancing With the Stars’ rehearsal. She paired the clip with a voiceover from Kim Kardashian discussing moments of self-doubt, where Kardashian reflected on feeling knowledgeable one day and confused the next. Earle captioned the post with, ‘Reality of the first two days of me learning a new dance HAHAH,’ using humor to underscore the emotional and physical challenges she faces in the competition. This raw display of vulnerability quickly captured attention, highlighting the intense pressures of reality television.
Earle and Chmerkovskiy are currently learning a routine set to Billie Eilish’s 2019 song ‘bury a friend’ for the Halloween Night theme, scheduled to air on Tuesday. The dance requires precise movements and emotional expression, adding to the stress of weekly rehearsals. As part of ‘DWTS’ Season 34, contestants must adapt quickly to new styles and themes, with Earle and her professional partner working tirelessly to perfect their performance amid a packed schedule.
The post garnered immediate support from fellow ‘DWTS’ participants and celebrities. Whitney Leavitt, another contestant on the show, commented ‘Girl same 😭’ and ‘You’ve got this! 💗💕💖,’ to which Earle responded with ‘ily 😭.’ Pro dancer Mark Ballas also offered encouragement, writing, ‘You’re amazing Alix & you got this 👊🏼,’ while ‘Boy Meets World’ star Danielle Fishel expressed solidarity by sharing that she screams into a pillow during similarly stressful times. These interactions illustrate the camaraderie and mutual understanding among those in the entertainment industry.
Fans flooded the comments with messages of support, telling Earle she was ‘doing amazing’ and to ‘give yourself grace.’ One user wrote, ‘You got this, you’re crushing it 🙌,’ and another added, ‘Queen. You are crushing it. Give yourself grace. So proud of you!!!!’ This outpouring reflects how Earle’s authenticity resonates with her audience, fostering a sense of community and empathy. Her willingness to share struggles aligns with her broader social media presence, where she often discusses personal challenges.
Earle, 24, was announced as a contestant for Season 34 of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in May 2025 and was later paired with Chmerkovskiy, a three-time mirrorball champion. Since the season premiered on September 16, she has been open about the physical toll of the show, previously sharing videos on TikTok that detailed injuries like a missing toenail and bruises on her collarbone. In one instance, she remarked, ‘I don’t think I can walk’ after a week two rehearsal, emphasizing the grueling nature of dance training.
In earlier posts, Earle described feeling ‘like someone put [her] in a drying machine and just bruised and beat up every part of [her] body’ following intense practices. She admitted to doubting herself ‘a little bit’ but stressed her determination to ‘keep trying,’ showcasing the resilience required in competitive environments. The ‘Hot Mess’ podcaster has also noted how her lifestyle has changed since joining the show, including reduced time for everyday social media content, as she prioritizes rehearsal and recovery.
This incident underscores the demanding nature of reality TV and how influencers like Earle use platforms to share authentic experiences, bridging the gap between celebrity and audience. As she prepares for the Halloween Night performance, her journey highlights the balance between entertainment and personal growth, with viewers anticipating how she will channel this emotional moment into her dance. Earle’s candidness not only humanizes the competition but also inspires discussions on mental health and perseverance in high-pressure settings.