Hot Mess with Alix Earle

Episode: A Very WICKED Week on DWTS
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Alix Earle gives listeners a front-row seat to her whirlwind sixth week on Dancing with the Stars, themed around the musical Wicked. Joined by her dance partner Val (Valentich Makowski) and friends, Alix shares the stresses, thrills, and behind-the-scenes realities of prepping for a challenging new routine. The episode is packed with rehearsal banter, backstage nerves, costume excitement, reflections on performance, and lots of camaraderie and humor. It’s a vibrant mix that captures both the pressure and joy of performing live TV, with plenty of musical references, inside jokes, and the persistent threat of injury.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prepping for DWTS: The Wicked Routine

• Alix’s Coffee Fix & Routine (00:28)

  • The episode kicks off with Alix (and friends) getting ready for rehearsal, gushing about her favorite New Jersey coffee while acknowledging the pressure of week six on DWTS.
  • “I can't believe we're already going into week six for Dancing with the Stars. I'm gonna lose my mind because I don't want this to be over ever.” — Casey (aka Alix) [01:04]

• Musical Mood & Rehearsal Banter (01:31)

  • The Wicked theme brings plenty of laughter and musical quotes. Alix and Val sing “What is this feeling?” with tongue-in-cheek dramatics, failing over lyrics and poking fun at each other.
  • Val struggles with lyrics, joking about his accent and childhood trauma:
    “The childhood trauma of being bullied for having an accent is really coming back to me. So I'm gonna really channel this Alphabet spirit.” — Val [05:27]

2. Trick Anxiety & Dealing with Injury

• The Big Trick (02:24)

  • Alix expresses anxiety about a difficult “big trick” they haven’t yet practiced because of her back injury from the previous week.
  • Val gives perspective on the physical demands:
    “Even this step, yes, I'm supporting you, but you're the one doing the freaking backflip and then hitting a pose and heels after a long ass dance.” — Val [02:58]

• Injury Updates (11:35)

  • Alix describes her rib pain, the taping, and debate about needing an X-ray. She tries to stay optimistic but openly shares the tension between pushing through and risking further harm.

3. The Art of Performance & Character

• Embodiment of Glinda & Alphaba (04:04, 05:56)

  • Costume excitement is palpable. Alix is thrilled about her “striped Galinda dress” and special heels.
  • Both discuss studying their characters, with Val relating to Alphaba as an outsider due to his accent.

• Acting versus Dancing (09:24)

  • The hosts and production team discuss Alix’s praised ability to act while dancing. Alix finds it easier to perform as a character than as herself:
    “It's easier sometimes I think for me to do things like in a character, cuz I'm like, what was the character doing it and not me? So then it doesn't feel like as embarrassing.” — Alix [09:36]

• Reverse Engineering Broadway Moves (06:45, 07:17)

  • Alix talks about using Glinda’s trademark mannerisms, from heel pops to eyebrow raises, and laughs about the difficulty since “It’s hard with the Botox.”

4. Backstage Fun, Group Dynamics, and DWTS Culture

• Backstage Antics (12:38)

  • The positivity in the green room (with “tremendous mood” and in-character goofing as Valphaba and Glinda) underscores the show's camaraderie.
  • The group jokes about Val’s “White Boy Boogie” and playfully debates which “group” they belong to on set.

• Working with the Pros (08:01)

  • Alix is amazed by the pros’ ability to memorize countless routines and synchronize in rehearsals.
    “Everyone just did it. And I was standing there like, whoa, this is crazy. [...] It's really cool to see how you guys all work together with just your brains and the way it all works.” — Alix [08:13]

5. Show Night Jitters & Adrenaline

• Pre-Performance Rituals (11:22)

  • Alix describes her night-before ritual: “playing our song over and over and over again and running the routine[…] I stand in the bathroom and I do it 40 million times. I kick things over. I'm just like, running around in there, but it just makes me feel better.”

• On Stage Nerves and Recovery (18:36, 19:41)

  • The group shares feedback—for example, Alix was tossed “higher than usual” during practice.
  • Val reassures, “Don't worry about it. I'll grab you. It's less about how you land and how we recover on the top. So you're. The flight was amazing. Yes. And again, what made that acceptable was the cleanliness of the pot. That was awesome, that kick.” [19:41]

• Post-Show Exhaustion and Joy (24:36)

  • Alix wraps up by admitting, “My feet are killing me. That never happens. Oh, no. Good thing I brought sweatpants for dinner.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nailing the Dance (13:20):
  “I have never loved anything more in my entire life. I'm so excited. They did such a good job with this costume. This is, like, the exact neckline that she had. I'm so excited. I'm gonna puke. I want to go. I want to get on stage. I'm ready.” — Alix

• On DWTS Pros (08:13):
  “Like, getting to work with everyone else just. I mean, obviously you do this all the time, but like, they came in and just sort of like we're talking through like choreography... everyone just did it. And I was standing there like, whoa, this is crazy.” — Alix

• On Performing Through Pain (06:07):
  “Does it hurt? Yes, but it hurts every time I breathe.” — Alix

• On Character Preparation (09:36):
  “I always loved like, dance or musical theater. I just think it's really fun to like, be someone not yourself. [...] it's easier sometimes I think for me to do things like in a character...” — Alix

• Musical Banter (01:46):
  “What is this feeling? So sudden and new? This is where he gets messed up.” — Alix

Timestamps of Key Sections

• Prepping for Practice, Coffee & Early Chatter: 00:28–01:28
• Musical Rehearsal, Song Lyrics & Banter: 01:31–03:19
• Mental & Physical Preparation, Injury Talk: 02:24–03:19, 11:35
• Costume and Character Insights: 04:04–05:08, 13:20
• Perspective on Performance & Acting: 09:24–10:05
• Backstage Camaraderie and Silliness: 12:38–13:57
• On Stage Jitters and Nerves: 16:04–19:41
• Post-Show Debrief and Celebration: 24:36–25:07

Final Thoughts

This episode of Hot Mess with Alix Earle is a whirlwind, perfectly capturing the pressure cooker that is Dancing with the Stars—from the sweat and nerves of learning new tricks (while battling injuries) to the excitement of costumes, the satisfaction of character work, and the joy (and exhaustion) of live performance. Through candid confessions, playful musical numbers, and supportive friendships, Alix and her crew offer a sincere, often hilarious peek behind the glittering curtain.

If you love musical theater, reality TV, or just vibrant personalities in full swing, this episode is for you.