ALIX EARLE: I CLOSED MYSELF TO LOVE FOR A LONG TIME

Summary

Summary of "ALIX EARLE: I CLOSED MYSELF TO LOVE FOR A LONG TIME" on Great Company with Jamie Laing

In this compelling episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing, host Jamie Laing sits down with the influential digital creator Alex Earl to delve deep into her personal journey, mental health struggles, authenticity in the digital space, and her approach to relationships and brand partnerships. The conversation offers invaluable insights for listeners navigating similar challenges and aspiring to build genuine online presences.

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Introduction to Alex Earl

Jamie Laing warmly welcomes Alex Earl to the show, highlighting her rapid rise as a prominent digital talent. Alex shares her excitement about participating in the interview, emphasizing her authentic approach to social media.

Jamie Laing [06:21]: "If you haven't subscribed to the show, please do. And please get ready for an episode of Great Company with Alex Earl."

Opening Up About Anxiety

One of the core topics of the discussion is Alex’s long-term battle with anxiety. She candidly discusses her diagnosis, the stigma she faced, and how medication has been instrumental in managing her condition.

Alex Earl [07:10]: "I have diagnosed anxiety. So I'm on Lexapro every day, and without the Lexapro, I don't think I could have coffee."

Alex recounts her first panic attack during high school, detailing the physical and emotional turmoil she experienced when she didn't understand what was happening to her.

Alex Earl [11:35]: "And then when they told me I had anxiety, I was like, this sounds like some type of, like, STD. I was like, what is this?"

The Importance of Authenticity on Social Media

Alex emphasizes the significance of being genuine online, contrasting the often curated and facaded nature of social media with her commitment to authenticity. She explains how removing these barriers led to genuine growth and a more engaged audience.

Alex Earl [08:39]: "I always try to keep it real, especially on social media. I feel like that's another thing is gets content to get a little fake on there."

Navigating Relationships and Vulnerability

The conversation shifts to Alex’s personal relationships, where she discusses her struggles with vulnerability stemming from past heartbreaks. She shares how being protective of her heart initially hindered her ability to fully commit but has since learned the value of openness and effort in relationships.

Alex Earl [19:15]: "I've been trying to work on the grudges because I don't think holding hatred in your heart is good."

Jamie relates by sharing his own experiences with anxiety and the importance of accepting oneself.

Jamie Laing [16:54]: "It's so important to be vulnerable in relationships. And you're so right. That's the hardest thing to lean into."

Fame, Social Media Impact, and the "Alex Earl Effect"

Alex discusses the double-edged sword of rapid fame through platforms like TikTok. While she appreciates the opportunities and the ability to connect authentically with her audience, she also acknowledges the pressures and responsibilities that come with being a trusted influencer.

Alex Earl [46:40]: "My audience is their ride or dies. And I think for me, it's really about, like, keeping that authenticity."

Jamie introduces the concept of the "Alex Earl Effect," where her endorsements can significantly influence brand visibility and search engine results.

Alex Earl [46:40]: "I think that's ultimately gotten me far and, you know, further than it would have if I started, like, pitching all these things that I didn't really believe in."

Building Authentic Brand Partnerships

Highlighting her strategic approach to brand collaborations, Alex shares her commitment to partnering with brands she genuinely supports. She recounts turning down offers that didn't align with her values to maintain trust with her audience.

Alex Earl [47:22]: "I saw the number and I was like, oh. I was like, I might consider taking this. And then I was like, okay. But I didn't take it."

Advice for Aspiring Creators

Alex offers practical advice for those looking to build their own online presence. She stresses the importance of authenticity, finding one's niche, patience, and consistency.

Alex Earl [53:18]: "Be yourself. And I think that's the one thing that you can put in the work and put in the effort."

She encourages aspiring creators to persevere through slow growth phases and remain passionate about their content.

Alex Earl [53:18]: "Just really, you gotta be patient with it and stick to it."

Closing Q&A: Personal Insights

In the final segment, Jamie poses a series of personal questions to Alex, allowing listeners to glean more intimate aspects of her personality and experiences:

• Best Compliment: Alex values compliments that recognize her positive impact on others, particularly in areas like mental health and confidence.

  Alex Earl [55:29]: "Best compliments are honestly when I meet parents out that say that their young girls follow me and like, they're proud to have their daughters watch me."

• Fears and Embarrassments: She discusses her competitive nature and self-doubt, acknowledging areas she continues to work on.

  Alex Earl [56:06]: "There's a lot. Like I said, I'm competitive with myself, so sometimes I'll you know, self doubt or talk negatively to myself."

• Heartbreak and Healing: Sharing her first heartbreak, Alex illustrates how it shaped her approach to relationships and self-worth.

  Alex Earl [36:38]: "I was so forgiving, and I just was trying to see the good in him. And that was my big first heartbreak."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Jamie expressing gratitude to Alex for her openness and insights. He also hints at future bonus episodes and encourages listeners to engage by submitting their questions, fostering a sense of community.

Jamie Laing [58:31]: "I think we should ask the listeners, our owls, as you like to call them, to send in some questions that they would like us to answer for them."

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Key Takeaways:

• Mental Health Awareness: Open discussions about anxiety and mental health can demystify and destigmatize these issues, encouraging others to seek help.

• Authenticity Over Curation: Being genuine on social media fosters deeper connections and trust with the audience.

• Vulnerability in Relationships: Embracing vulnerability leads to more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

• Selective Brand Partnerships: Maintaining authenticity requires careful selection of brand collaborations that align with personal values.

• Persistence for Aspiring Creators: Building a successful online presence demands patience, passion, and resilience against slow growth and skepticism.

This episode serves as an inspiring testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and self-acceptance in both personal growth and digital influence.

Transcript

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[Jamie Laing]

You can trust podcasts to deliver results for your business. 80% of podcast listeners say they'll consider a brand recommendation by their favorite host. Even more impressive, 88% have taken action because of a podcast ad. If you're looking to connect with highly engaged audiences, now's the time to dive in. Download podcast Pulse 2024 for all the latest insights and see how podcast ads can drive real results for you. Hello everyone. My name is Jamie Laing and this is Great Company. Hey, all the way from Los Angeles.

[Jemima]

You're not in Los Angeles.

[Jamie Laing]

No, but.

[Jemima]

But you were.

[Jamie Laing]

Well, I thought we were gonna lie to the audience.

[Jemima]

Never. Never ever.

[Jamie Laing]

No, we wouldn't lie to you guys.

[Jemima]

Hi, welcome to Great Company. This is awful.

[Jamie Laing]

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the show. If you're an og, you know exactly who you are. And if you're new to the show, my name is Jamie Lang, I'm the host of the show. And you are?

[Jemima]

Producer Jemima.

[Jamie Laing]

That's exactly it. And Jemima loves to coin all of you listeners. The owls.

[Progressive Insurance Ad]

Yes.

[Jemima]

And I've got to coin. I want to bring up with you.

[Jamie Laing]

What is it?

[Jemima]

So I introduced myself just now as Producer Jemima and I was wondering, what do you think about renaming me pj? No.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you want to be called pj?

[Jemima]

I don't know. I'm just. I'm just Flo floating out there to see what the pickup is.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay, well, I'm happy for it if you want to be called pj.

[Jemima]

It does sounds quite cool, isn't it?

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah. But PJ sounds a private jet as well.

[Jemima]

Oh.

[Jamie Laing]

If you say you're getting on a pj, it means you're getting on a private jet.

[Jemima]

Oh, fine. Also, PJ makes me think of pyjamas.

[Jamie Laing]

Pyjamas as well. That's probably more the actual normal reference.

[Jemima]

Yeah. But I think it should become producer Jemima pj. Pj. Peej, for sure.

[Jamie Laing]

Peej.

[Jemima]

Peej.

[Jamie Laing]

No, for short. It's just pj. You can't get shorter than producer Jemima pj. Pj. Peej for short. Peej is longer than pj.

[Jemima]

I like it like that.

[Jamie Laing]

Say what? What? I'm very excited for today.

[Jemima]

I know. So let's give a little bit of context. So Jamie has been on a little trip.

[Jamie Laing]

I was. I was in Los Angeles, Louisiana and America, having some meetings, meeting some people and interviewing some amazing guests. And one of the big people that I wanted to get on the show from the very beginning is a big American star called Alex Earl. Now, if you don't know who Alex Earl is, you probably not in the digital space, but Alex Earl is, I would say, the hottest digital talent in America, maybe the world at the moment. She blew up massively on TikTok over lockdown, and over the last three, four years, she started off sort of talking about her experience at Miami University, Miami College, about going out, having fun, being young, free and single and all these different things. And she's now left university and she still is followed on social media on her podcast, on her TikTok. She. She is a force to be reckoned with in this space and we managed to get her. She's never done any interviews really, and that's huge. Huge. She has her own podcast called Hot Mess, but apart from that, she really doesn't do anything. And I sat down with her in LA to have a major discussion about her, her life, social media and everything surrounding it.

[Jemima]

It's very, very exciting and also quite terrifying for me because it happened at 5pm in LA, which is 2am here, so I just wasn't there.

[Jamie Laing]

You weren't there, So I did it solo.

[Jemima]

So. So apologies. If it's shit and if it's fantastic, then maybe I'm out of a job.

[Jamie Laing]

You won't be out of a job ever. But it was. I did it alone. I had a producer, Tom, there, who did with the lighting, but he didn't help me produce the show. So I did take this one on solo, but it was amazing. It was a different environment. It was interesting. And I just think a lot of American guests who are listening now, hey, guys, make sure that you go and listen to other episodes as well, because they probably enjoy this one.

[Progressive Insurance Ad]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

And there's other ones to go and listen to.

[Jemima]

Yeah, no, it's a huge, huge guess. I like that you call her a digital talent as well.

[Jamie Laing]

She's a digital talent, I would say she's just.

[Jemima]

The word digital sounds old.

[Jamie Laing]

Well, she's the new age celebrity.

[Jemima]

She absolutely is.

[Jamie Laing]

She's.

[Jemima]

I mean, Alex Earle effect, the Alex.

[Jamie Laing]

Earl effect is a thing which I talk about in the show. Right. Which it comes up. So I'm not going to explain that right now, but it happens in the episode. For anyone who doesn't understand the digital world and they're used to sort of the idea of celebrity being people on movies or television shows, I believe the world has shifted. I think that we now focus on different sort of the world of celebrity. And Alex Earl is the new age of celebrity in this world, 100% and at the top of her game.

[Jemima]

Yeah. Very, very exciting.

[Jamie Laing]

Very, very, very exciting. So we're going to kick things off.

[Jemima]

Yeah, let's get. Let's get to it.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay. If you haven't subscribed to the show, please do. And please get ready for an episode of Great Company with Alex Earl. Alex, welcome to the show.

[Alex Earl]

Thanks for having me.

[Jamie Laing]

Are you kidding me? Thank you for being here.

[Alex Earl]

This is so exciting.

[Jamie Laing]

It's beyond exciting. You've just had a coffee, haven't you?

[Alex Earl]

I did. I had a coffee. I came in like. I came in hot. I was like, I'm a little jittery right now. I've had too much coffee. And I don't know, I just. I love the taste of coffee. But I'm like, maybe I need to start drinking decaf or something, because even now I'm going like a million miles per second. Slow it down.

[Jamie Laing]

No, I'm the same. I can't drink it, really. If I. If I try. I went through a phase of trying to drink coffee and my anxiety just went through the roof as soon as I drank it.

[Alex Earl]

It's not good for anxiety. And I have. I have diagnosed anxiety. So I'm on Lexapro every day, and without the Lexapro, I don't think I could have coffee.

[Jamie Laing]

That's amazing that you. That you talk about that. I love that. Straight in.

[Alex Earl]

Straight in. We'll get right into it.

[Jamie Laing]

We'll get right. So I. I mean, let's get into anxiety. I have anxiety as well, but I've never, ever taken any medication because I've always been, for some reason, like, nervous about it, for whatever reason, but it's amazing.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, I guess I've been on it for so long now that I kind of forget that I'm on it. I started it when I was a freshman in high school, so 14, 15 years old. And I was a little hesitant at first as well. Cause I was like, I don't want to have to rely on something for my anxiety. I was like, I can do it on my own. I mean, I was so stubborn with medication. I was the kid that I wouldn't even take an Advil. I was like, I can do it. I can get over the sickness myself. But I think for me, it got to a point where I was like, I couldn't leave the house. I couldn't really do anything because my anxiety was so bad. And then it really just kind of helped slow me down a little bit, slow the thoughts in my head. And it's been a great experience for me.

[Jamie Laing]

But that's amazing that you talk about it, because I think a lot of people do. You know what, Alex? I love about you so much. There are so many things that you do, but you're so. And we spoke about this with Madeline, who's a friend of ours. You're so authentically you.

[Alex Earl]

Thank you.

[Jamie Laing]

You really are. Like, even meeting you here for the first time, straight away, you're just, like, straight in. Yeah, I have anxiety. I just drank coffee. I'm gonna be all over the place. A little bit dirty. Like, things like that. That's. I think what the world needs is that authenticity. And you're kind of. You fall into that so easily. You just like to be authentic.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, I guess it's a blessing and a curse at times, but I always try to, you know, keep it real, especially on social media. I feel like that's another thing is gets content to get a little fake on there. So trying to, like, take down that barrier, I think has been a big thing for me. And just saying what I think.

[Jamie Laing]

Did you ever try and be someone else?

[Alex Earl]

Did I ever try and be someone else?

[Jamie Laing]

Like, when you first started out? Because I remember when I. Man, the things I've tried to be. Honestly, growing up, it's crazy to, like, know who we are.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, it is. And I feel like that's a big thing for me. I feel like in college I've really. And even after college, every year I change. I look back at last year and I'm like, I'm not the same person as I was last year. And I definitely went through a phase though, of on social media trying to be not myself. And it wasn't, it was just not working for me. I was like, I really want to grow on social media. Like, I have a lot of fun on there, especially on TikTok. I got on there and I don't know what I was doing. I was trying, like, I was trying to be anything but myself. And then when I got to like a really weird place mentally, honestly, it was like when I was really insecure about, like, my acne is when I was just like, like I can't even pretend to just be this, like, perfect, like all buttoned up all the time. And then that's kind of when I like, took down that barrier and it's when I started to see growth and I was like, oh, okay, like there's really nothing to be afraid of here. But I was so afraid of not being like a perfect social media curated whatever I thought that was in my head.

[Jamie Laing]

Why do you think we have this obsession to kind of be perfect when none of us are all that perfect?

[Alex Earl]

That's a good question. Because I think, I don't think social media helps.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

And like, especially growing up with social media and I think now, like, I have younger siblings and just what they see on social media, I think it's a little bit better now. But I feel like when I was growing up, it was very like just, I don't know, like everyone's like Instagram models, picture perfect. And like you're seeing all these things in these, like, glamorized lifestyles. And I don't know, I think people have a little. I think it honestly comes from a place of just like insecurities when you can't be yourself. It's like you're trying to be. You're not secure with who you are, so you're trying to be someone else and trying to like, curate something of your own. You know what I mean?

[Jamie Laing]

I know exactly what you mean. Going back because we went in hot, so I'm going to stay hot with you on it. Okay, so with the anxiety right at the beginning, how did that manifest itself at the beginning? Because Racing thoughts. How was it?

[Alex Earl]

So basically I passed out and I fainted. I was getting My hair done, and I thought nothing of it. I guess I just, like, didn't have enough breakfast in the morning. I was in this, like, hot, heated salon. There was bleach going on. And even talking about this now, I'll start to get nervous. Just.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay, well, if you do, don't worry. We can just pause.

[Alex Earl]

I'll leave.

[Jamie Laing]

Just leave. Thank you very much, Flor.

[Alex Earl]

Thanks for having me. And then it was, like, a week or so after I start. I was out to eat sushi with my friends. It was before the first day of high school, and it was with this new group of girls. And I started to get a little hungry, and, like, my stomach grumbled. And then my mind went to, like, oh, my God, I'm hungry. Like, am I gonna pass out again? And then a million thoughts started racing through my head. And I remember we were at this Japanese restaurant, and I'm, like, fanning myself. I was like, I gotta go. Then I had experienced my first panic attack, which was, like, shortness of breath. I was overheating. I was very lightheaded, and I didn't know what a panic attack was. And I don't think at that age, like, any of the girls I was with knew what a panic attack was. So I was on the floor of this restaurant, and they called my dad, and my dad took me to the hospital. And we went to the hospital. They had me hooked up to everything you could think of for the next two weeks. I went to a heart doctor, brain doctor. I got every scan, every test done, and every doctor was like, you're normal. Like, you're fine. And I was like, I don't think you understand, like, what I was feeling. I was like, something's not right. Like, my body's not functioning properly. And it was anxiety, but I just didn't know what anxiety was. Which is why I think it's important to talk about anxiety or, like, mental health online, because I just. I had no idea what it was. And when they told me I had anxiety, I was like, this sounds like some type of, like, std. I was like, what is this? I was like, I can't have that. And I was just so confused because no one really talked about it. And. And then when they told me, you know, there's medication or therapy, I was like, oh, God. Like, something's really, really wrong with me, but something that a lot of people deal with. But I think not knowing what anxiety was for me was so confusing. And, I mean, it feels because you get such physical symptoms from it that I was Like, I'm just dying. Like, I was like, something's really wrong with me, Alex.

[Jamie Laing]

I completely relate to you in that sense. I was, like, 22, and I had this, like, this panic attack again. I was at home by myself. I thought I was dying.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

I went to hospital, and I was like, I'm dying. And they were like, you're not. And I was like, no, I am. You're wrong, doctor. And they just said, go and have. And I've said this before, but I think it's important. I went back. I went out. They said, go and have a Coca Cola. So I went out of Coca Cola, and my anxiety just didn't go. I just. What I felt was this, like, constant fear on edge, and I couldn't explain it to anyone.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

And I was trying to explain it, and no one would understand.

[Alex Earl]

It doesn't make any sense. And especially when you don't know what it is. And it is physical symptoms. So, like, I would wake up. I remember in high school, and the first thing is, like, my heart was beating out of my chest. First thing I did every morning was I went to the bathroom and I just got sick. Because the second I woke up, it was just like my whole body was all discombobulated. No, it's. It's okay. We're all good now. But hopefully, you know, sending a positive message to anyone that feels this way that you can get over this, because I. I really felt so trapped in my own body. And I was like, it. It was just so uncomfortable. I was like, I don't want to be in this body that's feeling this way. And it took me a while to get over it, but for me, it was like therapy. And then the medication helped me, which was good. But, yeah, it's crazy.

[Jamie Laing]

And do you feel comfortable talking about it, or do you kind of sometimes go, I don't know if I want to open up about it as much.

[Alex Earl]

I feel really comfortable talking about it now. But in high school, I remember, I was like, this is a big secret. Like, I wouldn't tell my friends when, again, they had diagnosed me with, like, generalized anxiety disorder. I was like, this is a secret. I'm not telling anyone. Because it just felt like I was. I was like I had the plague. Like, I have some bad disease, and I felt so abnormal. And then I remember it wasn't until the end of high school that one of my other friends started to experience anxiety. And I was able to help her just from what I had learned. And then I was like, okay, like, it started. Click for me that I was like, okay, maybe this isn't so embarrassing. And then. Which is crazy. How much has changed over the past few years? Because when I first got to college was the first time I told people that I was on medication for it, and because other girls were. And I was like, oh, okay, like, this is something that we all deal with. But, like, it just, like, wasn't as talked about. So I felt like there was something so wrong with me and I was so embarrassed of it, but now I don't care.

[Jamie Laing]

It's crazy that, isn't it? It's exactly the same as me, that I didn't want to tell anyone at all. And I remember, you know, I remember standing in a shower and just like, haven't told anyone. I didn't. I didn't say anything to anyone. And I was doing a TV show at the time, and I was trying to be on this TV show, and I thought I was this, like, outgoing guy. And like. And suddenly this plague had come over me and like, taken away my whole personality. So I was trying to fake it all the time. And I finally said in the shower, I said, what's wrong with you? Like, said it out loud. And I admitted it to myself, Phone my mom up and said, something's wrong with me. I don't know what it is. They said, went to doctor, said, you have general anxiety disorder. And I said, well, how do I get rid of it? And they said, oh, you don't. You don't. And I said, no, no, tell me, how do I get rid of it? I need to get rid of it tomorrow because I got this isn't this. And they said, you can't. You have to learn to accept it. And I went, but I don't want to accept it. And I think you're in that same place as well, which is as soon as you start accepting, then that's the sudden path to freedom when you can kind of go, it's okay, this is who I am. And that's all right.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, Definitely feels like you can be trapped in it. And so, like, what did you do? Kind of to get over it or mitigate it or help.

[Jamie Laing]

Great question. Truthfully, I'll be honest with you, because this shows. I drank a lot. It was really bad. And because what happened was, as I was young, I was going out a lot, and for me, alcohol. Suddenly I found this alcohol drink that just, like, killed it. It just went away. And so I was like, well, this is fine. I can just drink this. And Then what happened was, is that I was like going on nights out and getting too drunk because I was trying to relieve the anxiety. And then that was a little bit of problem. And so then I started going to therapy. Therapy for me was just the greatest thing in the world.

[Alex Earl]

Once you talk about it, it's not as scary once you say it out loud. And that's what something I try to tell now. And even when I'm on social media and just talking about like oh my gosh, my anxiety is really bad today. It really does help. Even if someone you're in the room with and you're just like, hey, I'm feeling anx anxious right now. And just like admitting it out loud, it's like it really helps. Even though it sounds stupid, but it helps.

[Jamie Laing]

I saw that. I think it's the sweetest Instagram post I've ever seen anyone write. You just had your one year anniversary.

[Alex Earl]

Yes. With my boyfriend.

[Jamie Laing]

That is pretty special to have that.

[Alex Earl]

It is. And it's funny because I was always really bad at being like fully comfortable with being vulnerable in a relationship, I think cause I got so burned the first time. I was always like, I am not going to let this happen again. So I was always the very closed off one. I would never really post with a boyfriend like that or do anything like lovey dovey because I was like, if things go to shit, I'm going to be like, oh, this didn't affect me. And that for a while was affecting my relationships because I wasn't opening up and like fully committing. And Braxton is someone who's really, really patient with me. And like, even when we started hanging out, it was like nine months before we started dating because I was like, I don't have feelings for you, I don't like you, I don't want a boyfriend. And I was so cold hearted. And he was like, you have this.

[Jamie Laing]

Armor on it, that's crazy.

[Alex Earl]

I did. And he was like, come on. And he was so patient with me. And I mean he's really given me no reason to think otherwise of just like then he's a great guy. And I kind of had to like accept with myself. I was like, okay, you have to like let yourself love and let yourself, you know, get hurt. Like maybe, maybe I will get hurt, maybe something will happen. But like you're never gonna fully know if this is like your person or right for you if you're not giving 100%. So for a while I was giving like 20% and I was like, I don't have feelings. I don't care. And I was trying to be like a cold hearted, cool bitch.

[Jamie Laing]

I want to go more into that. But just where do you think that comes from though? There must have been a moment in your life where suddenly you just went, right, I need to put this shield up and protect myself here.

[Alex Earl]

It was after I literally had gotten cheated on just so blatantly and then would take him back and I mean, this boyfriend would come home for holidays and I was like. Cause we did long distance. He was in college and he would come back and then go to a party, not invite me while we're in like the same town, like 10 minutes away from my house, hook up with another girl and then like come back and be like, but I love you. And I was like, I was just. I was so messed up. And then when that was finally over, I was like, I don't ever want to feel this way again because I just felt like such shit. And I was like, I will not let myself feel that way. So then I tried to be like, man eater, cold hearted, whatever. Yeah. And I mean, I think it was helpful in some ways. I think in college and just everyone's kind of a little bit of an asshole and cruised through that. And then I realized that it was a little bit of a problem because.

[Jamie Laing]

It'S so important to be vulnerable in relationships. And you're so right. That's the hardest thing to lean into. To suddenly go, okay, here I am. This is me. Accept it. And we do, we hold a little bit back all the time because we're so scared that people are gonna find out our true selves. Cause maybe our true selves aren't good enough or you're gonna hurt me or whatever. And once you lean into that space, it's like the most beautiful thing in the world.

[Alex Earl]

It is. And it's good and I'm loving it. It's been great even, like I shock myself with how deeply I feel or sometimes the things I do. And I'm still opening up and healing from that space that I used to be in. But it really just like month by month, gets better, more open.

[Jamie Laing]

He's a real stud. Yeah. I've been checking him out on Instagram. He's a real stud. But also you have to deal with maybe things because he's an athlete, right. And I just seen he's got injured, you know, he's been injured, he's out for the season, he's playing for Miami Dolphins. And that must be pretty tricky.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, it's hard to hear and find out that he got hurt. And then just being with him the first two weeks of his recovery and to see him, like, be really broken down about this. He's so motivated and always, like, go, go, go. And he's very routine. So for him to, like, have to sit in bed all day and then, like, be on crutches and can't even walk to the bathroom, and seeing him get so frustrated with that was. It hurt me so much just because, like, it felt so bad for him. But he's. He's doing really good now, and I'm just trying to be positive reinforcement. Some good entertainment. I, like, got his checkers and, like, Rubik's Cubes. I'm like, this is great. Like, let's take up checkers. Like, we don't even need to leave the bed.

[Jamie Laing]

You're trying to force hobbies on him.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. Honestly, Checkers is great, though. I haven't played in so long.

[Jamie Laing]

You're bringing him Jack, as in a Rubik's Cube. You're like, hang on. Just do this.

[Alex Earl]

The Rubik's Cube, though. I had to quit, though, because I almost lost my mind.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you have ADHD or no?

[Alex Earl]

Definitely.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah. Same.

[Alex Earl]

I don't think diagnosed, but I can't focus on something for more than a second.

[Jamie Laing]

I'm exactly the same. They told me that doing a Rubik's Cube would help. It's the worst. I said, it actually makes my brain hurt.

[Alex Earl]

No, it hurts, right? I was like, oh, my God. God. Like, I just. I really couldn't conceptualize how to get this last color up to the top with all the other colors. And I was like, I'm gonna throw this thing through the window. And, like, I just got. I got so mad. Like, it just. I don't ever want to see a Rubik's Cube again.

[Jamie Laing]

Who said I love you first?

[Alex Earl]

Wait, I have no idea. Oh, wait, I do remember. I'm so dumb. I do. I was like, what is the adhd? I was like, I know that there's a story. I was like, I'm not trying to, like, hide this from you. I know that there's a story. I just forgot. So it was actually me.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay.

[Alex Earl]

And it was before his. It was before his first football game last year. It was my first time going, seeing him play. Me and my friends were outside tailgating. I'm like, tequila shots. This will be so fun. And I went down to see him on the field, and I was just like, hey, like, have a good game. Like, he comes over to hugs you. You get like, five seconds, and then he runs away. And I was like, I love you. And he, like, looked at me, and then he was hugging my friend, like, while he was processing what I just said. And then he looks at me and, like, we both laugh. And then he runs off into the locker room and didn't say, I love you back. And for the whole game, I was like. I was like, I've gotta go. Like, what's. I just said I love you to this man. And he said nothing back to me. And I was so freaked out. And then after the game, I was like, hey. So it's like, you know, like, accidentally said something before. He was like, yeah, I figured you might have been drunk, and it was just an accident, so I didn't say it back. And then I was like, shit. I was like, well, I did mean it, but I was like, how do I say, like, I mean it. And then I think like a day later or something, he ended up saying it to me. But it was me first and it was not reciprocated.

[Jamie Laing]

So there's so many things that, like, I. It wasn't just before his game. You dropped that bomb on him as well. He's just like, what? And then he has to.

[Alex Earl]

And someone had a video of it. Like, it surfaced on my for you page of, like, me hugging him and my friend. And then it was like, us dying, laughing. And it was like, I wonder what they're dying laughing about. And I was like, I just told him I loved him, and nothing was said back. What's your love language?

[Jamie Laing]

Acts of service as well. Touch is amazing, but it's when you're a team together doing stuff, that, for me, is just like, everything.

[Alex Earl]

I think that's a big thing I learned in this relationship is how much. Not how much work goes into it, but, like, it takes effort from both sides and, like, constantly working, like, putting effort in and showing that you want it to work and you want it to be better and you want it to grow. And I think, you know, like, continuing to keep showing up for each other and showing out in different ways.

[Jamie Laing]

Totally. Can I ask a personal question as well? Feel free. Not. You don't have to talk about it, but, you know, my family went through a divorce and. Your family went through a divorce?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

The difference was, is that you're. From. What I understand is that your family's divorce was quite high profile.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

How hard was that?

[Alex Earl]

It was hard. And I think that's something that, you know, when they say everything happens for a reason, and it doesn't feel like it in the moment. That was definitely one of those moments where I was like, my world is crashing, like, what's going on? And then everyone in my school knows what's going on. It was so embarrassed. And then it's like going through that and having eyes on us. I think at a young age really helped, honestly, with now and just, like, the way I'm able to kind of brush things off or accept things. I think everything does happen for a reason. And, you know, family's great now, so it's good. But it was definitely, it was definitely hard when I was young, so, like, going through a divorce and that was another thing is a lot of the families around me weren't getting divorces, so I was like, what's going on with, like, what's wrong with my family? Like, you know, I was the only one that, like, with school events, like, I would have, like, my parents coming separately, too. And, you know, holidays, it was like split holidays. So I was just. I felt like a little bit out of the norm with that.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you think that's why you also put up a guard? Maybe?

[Alex Earl]

Probably, yeah. That's something that in therapy we've talked.

[Jamie Laing]

About, and I'm not your therapist, so I shouldn't go deeper.

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[Jamie Laing]

Hello, I'm Jamie Laing.

[Alex Earl]

And I'm Sophie Haboo.

[Jamie Laing]

And we have been married for a year. One whole year. Join us as we navigate married life, hear wild stories from our listeners, and meet some of our favorite celebrity couples. That's where each week, we dive into.

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The world of newlywed bliss.

[Jamie Laing]

Is. Is that what it is? Bliss?

[Progressive Insurance Ad]

Jamie?

[Alex Earl]

Just pretend that we're newlyweds.

[Jamie Laing]

One year down and a lifetime to go.

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Love you, honey.

[Jamie Laing]

Listen. Every Monday, just search newlyweds. Wherever you get your podcasts, you can trust podcasts to deliver results for your business. 80% of podcast listeners say they'll consider a brand recommendation by their favorite host. Even more impressive, 88% have taken action because of a podcast ad. If you're looking to connect with highly engaged audiences, now's the time to dive in. Download podcast Pulse 2024 for all the latest insights and see how podcast ads can drive Real results for you. Alex, what were you like as a young kid?

[Alex Earl]

I was really shy.

[Jamie Laing]

Were you really?

[Alex Earl]

Yes. I was so unbearably shy. If someone would ask me a question, it's like, I wasn't as bad as my sister, but even, like, ordering out a restaurant would scare me. Like, I was just. I was really, really quiet.

[Jamie Laing]

Really.

[Alex Earl]

And then, yeah, I guess it was in front of other people. Like, I was. Always took me a while. Like, I remember with, like, babysitters when I was little, like, it would take me a while to, like, warm up to them. And I still am kind of that way with people, but not as much anymore. You're looking at me.

[Jamie Laing]

You're like, no, it's my wife. Sophie was like that. She used to hide underneath her mom's dress when anyone tried to speak to her. She just didn't like that. And she had to teach herself to come out of her sort of, you know, sort of her shyness, in a way.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. I get a little nervous at first when meeting people. And then I think I went through a phase in middle school, early high school, where I was having some troubles making girlfriends. And then I think that was another thing for me where I was like, well, I don't want to open up to people because when I do, they're just mean to me. So I was pretty quiet and reserved, and it would take a while for me to open up to people, and it still does at times. But I, like, have retrained myself to be a little bit more outgoing because people would start to be like, oh, she's a bitch because she's not talking. But I was just like. I mean, I do have a bad case of the rbf. And I also.

[Jamie Laing]

For people to know, what is the rbf?

[Alex Earl]

Just the resting bitch face. It's probably gonna, like, come out throughout this. You'll be talking, and I'm, like, standing there, just such a blank face. And it's something I've been trying to work on.

[Jamie Laing]

So. Okay, so you. You growing up, you found schooling a little bit tough. When did you kind of come out of your shell, would you think? When did you start to become a bit more confident in yourself?

[Alex Earl]

Probably the end of high school. Once I found good friends, then I felt a little bit more confident. I was like, oh, okay, I can do this thing. Like, people like me, because I think trouble, like, in middle school, like, honestly, the girls were just really rude. So for me, it was like, oh, something's wrong with me, or, like, I'm not cool enough or Good enough for them. So I started to doubt myself and then obviously that resulted in, like, a lack of confidence. So I feel like once I got a good group of friends and I am such, like, a loyal friend, like the friends that I've had in high school that, like, kind of brought me out of my shell. They're still my friends to this day. Like, been my friends for 10 years. And I like to keep my circle. That's amazing, like, pretty close knit. And the people that I'm friends with, I'm like, ride or die and you're going to be by my side. It's like the people I made friends with the first week of college are still all my best friends now. So I really, really rely on my friends and they are really grounding for me.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you hold grudges?

[Alex Earl]

Yes. I'm a big grudge holder.

[Jamie Laing]

Are you really?

[Alex Earl]

Mm.

[Jamie Laing]

You don't forget it.

[Alex Earl]

No.

[Jamie Laing]

I can actually feel it on you. I can.

[Alex Earl]

No.

[Jamie Laing]

Did you feel that? I can literally feel that on you. That is so you hold it. What's your star sign? Can I ask?

[Alex Earl]

Sagittarius.

[Jamie Laing]

I don't know what that means. I don't know why I said that.

[Alex Earl]

What are you?

[Jamie Laing]

I'm a Scorpio. I don't even know what that is. I always hear this.

[Alex Earl]

I'm a rising Scorpio.

[Jamie Laing]

Does that mean we connect? I don't know. Is that a good thing?

[Alex Earl]

I think so. I'm. Honestly, I'm not the best with all of that, but a Sagittarius can be pretty cutthroat. I think I'm just blaming on that, really.

[Jamie Laing]

So you. So if you've been cross, because I'm a little bit the same in some sense where I'm. It's nice. Nice, nice, nice, nice. Always nice. But if someone does something wrong to people I love, to family members or something like that.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, I'm the worst with that. I'm really like. Once you do something wrong in my eyes, like, you are done. And it's just like, I. It. Yeah, maybe that's something I should work on, but I don't.

[Jamie Laing]

It's a good. It's. It's. Hold yourself. I think it's a good thing.

[Alex Earl]

I am a pretty big grudge holder, but I've been trying. I've actually been trying to let go of things this year and, like, move on. And I think, you know, everyone makes mistakes, so I. But I am a grudge holder at my core.

[Jamie Laing]

There's a great saying which is not that you want to seek revenge. But it's kind of about grudge and things that which is seeking revenge is like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die. It only hurts yourself.

[Alex Earl]

Yes. And I think that's something I went through where it's like, if you're really happy with yourself, like, you don't need to wish bad upon others. But I think I'm more of a grudge holder and just like, if you're gonna do something wrong, like, I just. You're out of my life and like, I don't need to like, try and take you back or it's like maybe you see things over multiple times. I've been pretty good at cutting off people.

[Jamie Laing]

That's pretty strong. That's a strong personality. Most people, I would say I fall into that. If some. I. I try not to, but most people do. If you fall into the category where people may they do something wrong to you and then they try and make it up, you kind of go, okay, no. But actually, again, I bring Sophie up, my wife again. But she's very much like that. I remember when I first started dating Sophie. I mean, we just kissed for the first time, whatever. And then I went out and she found out that I kiss someone else. She was like, by the way, I'm done. She was like, look, we can still be friends, but that's not what I do ever. Like, if you. If you want to hang out with me, you just hang out with me and just let you know that this, this won't happen. I went, okay, fine. I think you'll get over it. Whatever. She didn't. It took me like six months to try and win any sort of. And it wasn't even that. It was like, had to put in the work totally. But it was a great thing. And it made me realize how important it is to hold yourself in such a position.

[Alex Earl]

I think it's important to know. It's like, you know, setting a standard for yourself, for what you like. And I think, like, with guys, it's. If they're not going to treat you the right way. I'm pretty good at like, cutting someone off. But I've been trying to work on the grudges because I don't. I don't think holding hatred in your heart is good. But I think, I guess for me, when I say grudge, more of like, I won't. I. I just won't forget what you did.

[Jamie Laing]

Have you ever had your heart broken?

[Alex Earl]

Yes, I have.

[Jamie Laing]

You have.

[Alex Earl]

I would say my first heartbreak was I was dating this Guy, he was older than me, and it was. He was, like, going into college and in college, and I was in the end of high school, so he was older than me. In my mind, he was just like a God. And, I mean, he cheated on me. I took him back, cheated on me again. And, like, that was just, like, such a heartbreaking cycle. Honestly, that was maybe what changed things a little bit for me, because I kept forgiving, and I was so forgiving, and I just was trying to see the good in him. And, like, I think with, like, your first love or your first heartbreak, you're just so. I just couldn't see how someone that loved you could do that to you. And it's like, maybe. Maybe they don't really love you, you know? And, like, that just didn't process for me. And I would just blame myself for a lot of things. So that was my big first heartbreak.

[Jamie Laing]

Can I tell you a story about my first heartbreak?

[Alex Earl]

Please do.

[Jamie Laing]

It's the most embarrassing thing.

[Alex Earl]

Please do.

[Jamie Laing]

I. I was in love with this girl, and she broke up me on a bridge, and I was about 15, and I got down on my hands and knees and begged her.

[Alex Earl]

But that's what it feels like.

[Jamie Laing]

When I was crying, my tears were landing on her grey plimsols, making marks in them.

[Alex Earl]

On her what?

[Jamie Laing]

On her shoes. Like, she had gray shoes on. They were making marks. And I looked over her, and she was looking at me like I was some, like, sweet little dog.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, that's really sad.

[Jamie Laing]

And the worst thing about it, I was still on my hands and knees, and she says, I gotta go now. So she walked off and I banged to the ground, my hand in a puddle.

[Alex Earl]

But that's what it feels like. It's just like, this can't be a.

[Jamie Laing]

Real feeling, but it actually can't be a real feeling. When someone does that to your heart, it's like, are you kidding me? What the fuck is this?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. And you will just do anything to try and get that person back. Or at least I did.

[Jamie Laing]

How do you get over heartbreak then? So someone listening now. So many people love you. They're listening and they're going, okay, I'm going through heartbreak. I'm going through something. How do you get over it? How do you get through it?

[Alex Earl]

I think you have to. I mean, I think you gotta give yourself a grace period of, like, you're gonna be sad, you're gonna be upset, you're gonna go through the crying on hands and knees and, you know, wanting to beg for that person back but you've really gotta accept, I think, like, why something ended. And I think if someone broke up with you, I think that's always hard of, like, why don't they want me? But you really have to get into the mindset of, like, you don't want to be with someone that doesn't want to be with you. And I think that that's okay, you know? And it's not like there's nothing wrong with you. Just sometimes there's not a match or there's a disconnect, or people just don't align or maybe it's not the right time. So I think that's something because people get so worried about, like, the other person. Or even when girls are dating, I feel like it's always like, oh, like, they didn't text me back, or, oh, like, he didn't ask me out on another date. But it's like, are you even stepping back and realizing, like, wait, do I want to date this person? Like, do I want to go on date with them? And most of the times it's just kind of like you want what you don't have. But I will say with like, a heartbreak, that's something that you've gotta accept and move on. And then I think, like, doing things for yourself whenever you're ready, which I'm like, we've gotta. We've gotta get up and go fast. Like, we're not gonna sit in bed for three months. But I think, like, is that what you like?

[Jamie Laing]

So you're just like, you can get over it.

[Alex Earl]

Well, now I'm a little bit more cutthroat than I was when maybe I was like, 18 going through this, which I don't even remember at that time. But I'm like, you definitely gotta surround yourself with, like, friends, family. You have to distract yourself because that's another thing of, like, going through a heartbreak is, like, your routine with that person. It's like, maybe you go to bed together, you watch movies together, you're used to waking up and you text them. But it's like, you need to replace that with, like, friends or family or a co worker. Anyone text a fake number. But, like, you have to, like, text, do this, do the Snapchat that answers you. But, like, you have to. You haven't seen that.

[Jamie Laing]

What is this?

[Alex Earl]

There's like, a little Snapchat AI robot that, like, will just be your friend and answer you. So if you're feeling lonely.

[Jamie Laing]

Unbelievable.

[Alex Earl]

But I think that's another big thing, is, like, you have such routine with A person, then it's gone and you're like, I don't know what to do with myself. So I think finding a distraction. And then I always say it's like, treat yourself. Like, go get your hair done, get your nails done, put some self tanner on, pluck your eyebrows, whatever's gonna, like, make you feel better. And I think, like, when you feel like you're presenting better, I feel like you just feel a little better.

[Jamie Laing]

As. I don't know if you know this, but you have a lot of followers. I don't know if you've noticed, but you've got a lot. You got a lot. Matt. Your fame was like, just sudden in so many ways.

[Alex Earl]

It was you.

[Jamie Laing]

You gained this huge following online so quickly through TikTok. And the first time I ever sort of realized who you were was I sing with my friend Georgie, who will be so excited. I've even mentioned her name on this. She was actually my best woman at my wedding.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, nice.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, she was. She's the best. I've known her since I was a kid. And she said, you gotta check out this girl who is just blowing up on TikTok. She's amazing. And I was like, what is so amazing? She's like, she's authentic. She's this. She's just truly herself. What was the video for you that you remember when traction started to happen, when you started to realize that TikTok was starting to boom.

[Alex Earl]

It really was kind of like a snowball effect over, I would say, like four to five months. It started with I had like a hundred, 200,000 followers on TikTok. It was like a hundred thousand from just posting chronically over the years because I was like, I will do anything for a viral video on this app. I was like, please. I tried dancing on there. I was doing skits and it just really wasn't working.

[Jamie Laing]

How was your dancing? Because you're a dancer, right? So.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, but it's the kind of like. It was like the TikTok dancing during quarantine where they're like growling at the camera. It was like. It wasn't good.

[Jamie Laing]

Are they still out there?

[Alex Earl]

No, not the really bad ones. I have thought about posting them at one time because I just don't think that people would believe that that's something I put on the Internet.

[Jamie Laing]

So you were growling at the camera.

[Alex Earl]

You know the ones I'm talking about?

[Jamie Laing]

I don't.

[Alex Earl]

Well, that's okay then. We don't need to know. But yeah, I was dancing. I was trying a bunch of different. And I gained some followers somehow through that. And then I think it's when I really started to post about my acne, and then how I covered my acne with makeup is when I started to see, like, girls in my comment section and, you know, actual people, not just, like, bots with, like, little hearts. And I was like, oh, wow. Like, this is really, like, connecting with people. So I started to do it more and more, and I then kind of had these Get Ready with Me videos that I made for probably, like, a year or so before this. And then I was going into my senior year of college, and it was just like, here we go, going into college. And I think University of Miami is such a crazy experience. In what way? It's just. It's not real life, like, being in the city of Miami and, you know, we're going to these, like, pool parties and then to a club, and then it's on a boat, and then it's like, just everything we're doing just seemed so surreal. So I really started just storytelling of, like, my senior year of college, what I was doing, continuing to post about, like, my acne, bringing in my friends. And it was really, like, through the fall, I started to grow an audience and grow followers. And then I think it was when I went home for the holidays, November, December, it, like, just hit a spike, and I just, like, couldn't believe what was. Or. It was Thanksgiving. I hit a million followers on Thanksgiving. And I was sitting around with my family on the couch, and we were watching, like, the numbers go up. And then it was like. It was nice because my whole family was there. And my family was like, what are you doing on there? Like, why are people following you? I was like, I don't know, but I'm gonna keep going with it. What did your family say in the beginning? They didn't understand. And it was actually a. There was a. On ESPN on Christmas. I had just broken up with a boyfriend then, and ESPN was like, the only person that's being talked about this week more than Santa is Alex Earle and my dad. That's when it caught my dad's attention. He was like, what's going on? He was like, what are you doing? And people were sending it to my parents, and they were like, I really don't understand. Like, what's she doing on there? Like, what's. What's happening? But now my parents are very invested in TikTok, and they're. They're on it probably more than they should be.

[Jamie Laing]

I see them on it now. They're on it, which is great. I love it.

[Alex Earl]

They're watching it. They're watching it. Like, my dad is up with all the TikTok drama before I know he's sending me, like, the gossip pages of things, and I was like, dad, you've got to get off TikTok.

[Jamie Laing]

But addict. But if you dive deeper into it, right? You, you, you. Because that fame and that, like, attention and that. You get attention from brands, you're getting attention from men, women, from everything from media. That's. That's a lot to handle, and it's exciting and it's fun, and that's great. But there's also a downside to all of it, which is not like, it's. There's a dark side, right?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, there's a dark side. And I think for me, I never. I mean, I. This is like, the biggest blessing ever. So I would never, like, see it and be like, oh, the downside. But there is, you know, stuff that you don't consider, and you get thrown into a lot very fast. And it's like, I'm just living my life my senior year of college, like, going out, sharing my life, and now it's. All of a sudden, it's like you have these followers and you have this platform, and now it's like you're held to such a high position, and you're supposed to know the right and wrong things to do. And I'm like, I'm just a girl. I don't know all the time. Like, I don't know all the answers. Like, I'm still figuring out who I am. So I think that's a part of it. But I've always been pretty good at chatter and stuff, just letting it go.

[Jamie Laing]

There's this thing which is now called the Alex Earl effect. Have you heard this when brands work with you? Apparently, yes. This is insane where if some brands can work with you and some brands have seen 100% in terms of their search engines and things happen, Web people, the brands just go wild as soon as you start talking about things. That is crazy. The power that you have.

[Alex Earl]

It is, I'd say, like, my audience is their ride or dies. And I think for me, it's really about, like, what we talked about in the beginning of just keeping that authenticity. And I think the power of saying no has been something that I've had to learn. And not working or not taking deals just because of the paycheck, but taking it because it's something that you like and a brand you want to Associate yourself with. I remember in the beginning, I had this.

[Jamie Laing]

I can't wait.

[Alex Earl]

I think this was, like, the first big offer I got. It was with my old management because when I had 100,000 followers, I had this manager all the way in Australia. She was great. Love her.

[Jamie Laing]

You love a long distance.

[Alex Earl]

Love long distance. It's the commitment issues. And I. She got this offer for. It was a head wrap that would help with migraines, but it was like a helmet. Like, a big helmet with, like, all these little stickers on it. It, like, looked crazy, but I saw the number and I was like. I was like, oh. I was like, I might consider taking this. And then I was like, okay. But, like, what? I have this loyal audience who, trust me, trust my opinion. And then I'm gonna go post and be like, this is the best headcap. It helps with my migraines. Like, I just know that I would lose the respect of my. That trust that we have. And in turn, saying no is the best thing. Looking back two years later. Yeah, but in the.

[Jamie Laing]

What were they offering you? Come on. Was it a lot?

[Alex Earl]

It was a lot. And I think it. It was a lot. And I just was. I wanted to take it, and I didn't take it. And it's. In return, you know, it's amazing.

[Jamie Laing]

You know, it's. It's the. It's the not. You're thinking longevity. I almost want to show you this. There was a person that I know who. Who did take a deal in the uk and she. She's a friend of mine, and she did a deal, and I was like, what have you done here? She did it where. It was called the boyfriend arm, which is where you could buy an arm that would.

[Alex Earl]

So does this, like, hang on you?

[Jamie Laing]

Just hang on you. If you were lonely on the sofa.

[Alex Earl]

Well, maybe that's good for the girls going through a breakup. Maybe that's what they should get.

[Jamie Laing]

It is not. Get a Rubik's Cube. That is not good. Wow, that's good. But that's amazing that you have that mindset, that sort of brand mindset.

[Alex Earl]

Yes. And I think that's because of this effect or whatnot with my audience. I didn't want to lose that trust. And I think that's ultimately gotten me far and, you know, further than it would have if I started, like, pitching all these things that I didn't really believe in. And it is crazy when you're working with brands and I'm. And, you know, all of a sudden I'm, like, applying to Marketing internships, my senior year of college, and all of a sudden, I'm like, talking to the CEOs of these massive brands. And I was just like, what is my life right now? And I had to learn a lot really, really fast.

[Jamie Laing]

Well done.

[Alex Earl]

It's amazing. And yeah, it's been. It's been a good journey. But it's crazy because I love what you've done with.

[Jamie Laing]

You did with Poppy.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, yeah. Poppy's great, what you did.

[Jamie Laing]

I have a confection. I have a candy brand right in the uk and we're over here as well. And. And I love what you did because they. They got you and I spoke about this yesterday. They got you a house and Coachella and just with all your buddies.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

And said you do you and you would like. Great. It's so clever the way that they did that. Just so. Because you're so trusted.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Jamie Laing]

So in that space, it's amazing.

[Alex Earl]

That's something that I've tried to do. So Poppy, I have, like a. I invested in Poppy, and then I have, like, a longer term contract with them. So that's. That's what I've been looking to do more recently. And a lot of, like, behind the scenes of the past year has been like, all right, what brands can I invest in or get equity in and kind of go for the long haul and create those, like, authentic partnerships? Because Poppy, I was like, I love these little sodas. Like, I was never drinking anything really besides coffee, and then I started drinking them like crazy, and I was like, these are great. So it's really cool to be able to work with brands in that way. And then when brands kind of can think outside of the box and they're able to be creative with you. And that was such a crazy moment. It was like, I think the Poppy. They said the Poppy Coachella thing did better than, like, their super bowl commercial. So it was like, that was crazy to see. And when it's authentic, I think it just comes off in such a fun, organic way.

[Jamie Laing]

As you were voted by Rolling Stone the eighth most influential creator in the world. I think it was.

[Alex Earl]

I don't know.

[Jamie Laing]

Is that what, like, it's so.

[Alex Earl]

It's so crazy.

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah. But do you know what I see, which is so endearing with you, which is so amazing, is that you still. You have this real sense of just like, you still find it crazy. You still find it while that these things are happening.

[Alex Earl]

It's crazy. It is. And even when you talk about this, like, I get uncomfortable talking about myself. This way? Because I don't know. I don't know, but it is really crazy.

[Jamie Laing]

Do you think it's imposter syndrome?

[Alex Earl]

Yes, 100%. And that, that people ask all the time if like I'm out somewhere, I'm meeting a lot of girls and people are like, this is not so annoying or whatever. And I'm like, the fact someone wants to like come up to me and say hi to me is actually crazy. Like, that is like, if you were to tell 10 year old Alex this, like, she would be bonkers right now. So it's like I never take it for granted. And I think, you know, this is something where it's like, could all go away in a second. And I think a lot of people let it get to their head pretty fast. So it's something that just tried to stay really grounded in.

[Jamie Laing]

If you could have one dream that you wanted to do, if you said, okay, this is what I want to do, this is where I want to go. Where is it? Do you want to create a brand? Do you want to host? What do you want to do?

[Alex Earl]

Start my brand.

[Jamie Laing]

Because I feel like you can do anything.

[Alex Earl]

Start my own brand. That's the ultimate goal and that's something that I've wanted to do ever since I was a kid because my dad and his brothers have their own company. And I always was like, that's so cool. And just watching them create something and just the company culture that they built, I just always thought it was so cool. That's my ultimate goal for now.

[Jamie Laing]

You can't give me any hints.

[Alex Earl]

No.

[Jamie Laing]

I love the fact that you are, you're so conscious about your community and you want to help your community and want to help people and build that. If someone's listening right now and they want to follow in your footsteps, which is very hard, it's impossible to do that. But they, they want to be on social media, they want to create brand, they want to build a profile in that space. How? What advice would you give them?

[Alex Earl]

I mean, there's a lot of different advice and it is harder now to grow just because there's so much oversaturation on there. Which is why I think the most important thing is to be yourself. And I think that's the one thing is you can put in the work and put in the effort. And I think the one thing, the crazy part about it is that it's just people find you and like you and want to lift you up and want to follow you. So it's like, do what you like. And whatever that is, it's going to be easier to do a lot of. You know what I mean? Like, a lot of people are like, oh, how do you post so much? Or does it get tiring? And I like, no, I love doing this. So I think find whatever your niche is and find your voice. And because you and your personality and your story is going to be the only thing really, that can really differentiate yourself and find what you're passionate about on there and then just keep going with it. Like, I was posting on there for three and a half years every day. It was not going well, and then all of a sudden it just like takes a turn. So I think if it's something you're really passionate about, you gotta stick to it and don't give up on yourself. If videos not getting views or anything, you know, I was posting the same videos I was my senior year of college, my junior year. But, like, just no one found me then. So I think just really, you gotta be patient with it and stick to it. And it's hard on social media especially, because then you feel, like, embarrassed. Like, for me, I always was like, I'm posting all this stuff and people would be like. Like, she's like, pretending she's an influencer and I was, and people would make fun of me for it. But then it worked out.

[Jamie Laing]

It worked out. Alex, I've honestly, I realized that this is so generous to give me your time. So I want to thank you so much for this. We like to end the show with eight questions. Are you ready for this?

[Alex Earl]

I think so.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay. What's the saying or phrase that always makes you smile or cheers you up?

[Alex Earl]

Want to get drinks?

[Jamie Laing]

It's actually the best. It's the best, best compliment anyone's ever given you.

[Alex Earl]

Best compliments are honestly when I meet parents out that say that their young girls follow me and like, they're proud to have their daughters watch me or that I've helped them through something, whether it's like mental health, eating disorder, just help them with their confidence, help them through a hard time. That's like, what just means the most to me. So that's the best compliment.

[Jamie Laing]

I think it's so impressive that you've sort of been spoken about sort of eating and things like that as well. Right. That's an impressive thing, I think. I think it's amazing that you've done that.

[Alex Earl]

Thank you.

[Jamie Laing]

It's incredible. What scares you most about yourself?

[Alex Earl]

There's a lot. Like I said, I'm competitive with myself, so sometimes I'll you know, self doubt or talk negatively to myself. So I think that can be scary at times.

[Jamie Laing]

Great answer.

[Alex Earl]

Something we gotta fix.

[Jamie Laing]

When was the last time you cried?

[Alex Earl]

What day was that? Whenever my boyfriend posted that post for our one year, I was crying and then he sent me flowers. And then I had a glass of wine and I was crying again.

[Jamie Laing]

What's something you can't let go of?

[Alex Earl]

Someone who's wronged me.

[Jamie Laing]

Any names?

[Alex Earl]

Not today.

[Jamie Laing]

Not today.

[Alex Earl]

Next time.

[Jamie Laing]

Next time. Okay. What's something you'd be embarrassed for people to know you like or want?

[Alex Earl]

I don't know if there's much I'm embarrassed about.

[Jamie Laing]

Maybe that's it. Nothing. Maybe that's a good nothing.

[Alex Earl]

I don't think anything, really.

[Jamie Laing]

I love that.

[Alex Earl]

What turns you off when someone is rude, especially to, like, a waiter or. I'm thinking of, like, turn off on, like a date or something rude to staff. It drives me crazy.

[Jamie Laing]

That is mine, I promise you. What turns you on?

[Alex Earl]

Someone who can make me laugh.

[Jamie Laing]

What do you like most about yourself?

[Alex Earl]

I think probably my loyalty to the people that I love.

[Jamie Laing]

And bonus one. Favorite swear word.

[Alex Earl]

Favorite swear word. Can't. I was like, that's gonna sound so weird.

[Jamie Laing]

Alex, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Okay. What do you think?

[Jemima]

That was brilliant. Yeah, I'm annoyed because I wasn't there.

[Jamie Laing]

She was great.

[Jemima]

But, yeah, really fantastic.

[Jamie Laing]

I mean, Alex, if you're listening to this, thank you so much for giving me your time. We're buddies now, which I like.

[Jemima]

Are you?

[Jamie Laing]

Yeah, I think so. Which is good. I also just like the fact that we're. We're starting to move into American guests. And that, by the way, that's thanks to you, the listener, for allowing that to happen. So thank you for subscribing and watching and listening to this show because it means we can spread out and spread our wings over there. Would you like to come to the US of A. With me? Me?

[Jemima]

Yes. Please subscribe so they can get me.

[Jamie Laing]

A ticket and you can come out and interview some people with me.

[Jemima]

Yeah, sure.

[Jamie Laing]

I would love that. By the way, I have an idea that we should start creating a bonus episode.

[Jemima]

I think that is definitely worth discussing more.

[Jamie Laing]

And I think we should discuss it more. And I think it should be a involvement with listeners, and I think it should be a question and answer sort of session between you and I. And I think it would be wonderful. And hear me out, because these things just go. We're very real and authentic on the show.

[Jemima]

Go on. This is the first time Whatever he's about to say is coming out.

[Jamie Laing]

I think we should ask the listeners, our owls, as you like to call them, to send in some questions that they would like us to answer for them. So if you do have a question for us that you would like us to do on our bonus episodes, which at some point we're going to start, please send in them into Great Company podcast on Send it into at Great Company podcast on Instagram. Or you can send us an email greatcompanyamproductions.co.uk everything is in the show description. Send us any question you want and we'll answer it on our bonus episodes that will be launching at some point.

[Jemima]

At some point, yes. I'm so glad you didn't say it out. They'll be launching next week.

[Jamie Laing]

No, at some point we just want to collect all of these questions and we can do that. Okay, team, I hope you had a great day. Jemima. I hope you had a great day.

[Alex Earl]

Thanks.

[Jamie Laing]

I did and I'm glad to be back in the UK with you. You.

[Jemima]

I'm glad you're back.

[Jamie Laing]

Okay. All right, everybody, have a great day. We'll see you next week for another episode of Great Company.

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