Becoming a Disney Villain IRL

Summary

Podcast Summary: Hot Mess with Alix Earle

Episode: Becoming a Disney Villain IRL
Host: Alix Earle
Date: October 9, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Alix Earle takes listeners behind the scenes of her "Dancing with the Stars" journey as she transforms into Disney’s iconic villain, Maleficent. Joined by her dance partner (and others), Alix shares the creative process of costume design, the challenges of embodying a new persona, and the excitement (and nerves) of performing live. Filled with inside jokes, practical dance talk, and snippets of real friendship, this episode is a blend of vulnerability, ambition, and pure fun.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

Preparing for Maleficent: Costume & Character

• Trying on the Maleficent look: Alix and her team gush over her rhinestone-encrusted horns and dramatic sleeves, experimenting with practicality and flair.
  • “This is our first look at Maleficent. I don't know. This might be my favorite costume yet. This is so beautiful.” (Alix, 00:10)
  • “Big horns. Yeah, the horns of being rhinestone. I feel like this was helping me channel my evil.” (Alix, 00:17)
  • Her collaborator jokes: “I don't think you have much evil in you, so you have to channel a bit deeper.” (Partner, 00:33)
• Adjusting the costume for dance performance: Lots of practical talk about sleeve openings to balance drama and movement.
• Excitement for first Disney trip: Alix and dance partner Val are giddy about both her first trip to Disney and the upcoming performance.
  • “Since my first trip to Disney. And Val's also celebrating my first trip to Disney.” (Alix, 02:16)

The Dancing with the Stars Process

• First rehearsal woes and wins: Alix and her partner discuss the complications of integrating Maleficent’s horns into their choreography. Overhead spins are out, creativity is in.
  • “She's a great spinner, for instance...there’s a lot of movement that we do that’s like, over her head...won’t be able to get it over the horns.” (Partner, 06:13)
• Developing a character arc in the dance: The story is “almost like a toxic relationship. Back and forth. Feel is more fun.” (Alix, 08:11)
  • “You already took my wings. I already hate your guts. And then it's kind of like, I hate you. A little bit of love, and then like, I really hate you. And then I start. They'll kill you at the end.” (Alix, 07:57)
• The physical challenges and “wow” moments:
  • On technique and the importance of intention: “The entire routine is a wow moment. You and I dancing next to each other is a wow moment.” (Partner, 07:26)
  • On her struggle: “For me, because I'm a little stiff sometimes.” (Alix, 09:06)

Beauty & “Villain Energy”

• Fully committing to the look: Long, pointy nails help Alix embody her evil persona.
  • “Next step in the getting ready process for this dance is we are gonna get some long ass nails. So this is very out of my comfort zone, but we’re really just gonna go for it.” (Alix, 09:19)
  • “I’m just like, this is so not me. Like, I’m looking at myself, and I’m like, whose fingers are these?...I feel like I want to channel, like, Lady Gaga.” (Alix, 09:43)
• Getting into character before the stage: Jokes about Sleeping Beauty, a “third member” of the dance, and nervous excitement before showtime.
  • “I'm serving Aura, a blonde wig. This is this week just for Alex, just so we could kill her off.” (Alix, 11:16)

Nerves, Hype & Real Talk Before the Show

• Encouragement and confidence: The team hypes each other up, with reminders to be confident and channel their best energy.
  • “Confidence. Remember confidence. Don't forget who the you are.” (Partner, 18:39)
  • “I have confidence. I have confidence. It's coming out. No confidence. You guys.” (Alix, 18:41)
• Nervous excitement and celebration: The cast shares nerves, teases, and after-show celebratory plans.
  • “I'm starting to get like. When I get anxious and quiet. Deep breath. Okay. Love you. Love you. Looks just like this.” (Alix, 18:27)

Aftermath & Reflection

• Reflecting on performance:
  • “It was amazing, and you did so great.” (Alix, 21:46)
  • “Should have been nines across the board. She was incredible.” (Partner, 22:17)
• Teamwork and support: Throughout, the partnership is highlighted both in fun rivalry and genuine support.
• Sign-off with a flourish: “Thank you guys for coming. Maleficent out.” (Alix, 22:51)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the dance character:
  “You already took my wings. I already hate your guts...I hate you. A little bit of love, and then like, I really hate you.”
  – Alix (07:57)
• On confidence before the show:
  “Confidence. Remember confidence. Don't forget who the you are.”
  – Dance partner (18:39)
• On transformation:
  “I’m just like, this is so not me...But I feel like I want to channel, like, Lady Gaga.”
  – Alix (09:43)
• On the team dynamic:
  “Best idea wins. It's not about my idea or your idea. These are all our ideas.”
  – Dance partner (08:21)
• On celebration after the performance:
  “Tens in our hearts, but yeah, she'll get them next week.”
  – Dance partner (22:20)
• Mic drop outro:
  “Thank you guys for coming. Maleficent out.”
  – Alix (22:51)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:10 – First look at Maleficent costume
• 02:16 – Alix’s first Disney trip excitement
• 06:13 – “Horns” change the dance choreography
• 07:57 – Crafting the Maleficent character for the routine
• 09:43 – Nails and channeling Lady Gaga for the role
• 11:16 – Sleeping Beauty cameo and trio night antics
• 18:39 – Pre-show nerves and confidence boost
• 21:46 – Celebrating a successful performance
• 22:51 – Maleficent “mic drop” sign-off

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Conclusion

This episode is a high-energy, humorous, and heartfelt glimpse into Alix Earle’s “Hot Mess” journey of embodying a Disney villain live on TV. Through playful behind-the-scenes chatter, real talk about artistic and physical challenges, and lots of laughter, Alix and her team capture both the chaos and the thrill of performance. Whether you’re a “Earl girl” or a “Val gal,” there’s an infectious spirit and encouragement to go big, be bold, and own your inner villain — at least for one magical night.

Transcript

[A]

This is so not me.

[B]

Best idea wins.

[A]

Somehow they just keep end up being lying. Look at my lipa stack and I.

[B]

Look like f Cking John Snow. I mean, what more do we need? Let's do this.

[A]

Let's do it. Yeah. Woo. Yeah. Yeah. Time to sober. This is our first look at Maleficent. I don't know. This might be my favorite costume yet. This is so beautiful. Yeah, it's gonna. I'm so excited. Big horns. Yeah, the horns of being rhinestone. I feel like this was helping me channel my evil.

[B]

I don't think you have much evil.

[A]

In you, so you have to channel a bit deeper.

[B]

What do we think?

[A]

So pretty. It's so good. We just have to work out the sleeves how you.

[B]

You know, so they don't get in the way.

[A]

We can control them, obviously. Do you think we should have them more like sort of how Charlie's arms were sort of which hers were like sort of just on the back end. They were open and then got gathered and then gathered. Cuz it might be nice to have like a little opening here, sleeve there. Also the beginning part might like this. So might be good to have them attached.

[B]

But Charlie video.

[A]

What we could try is we could gather. Gather and leave a little so you get a bit of volume. And if it's too much, we cut it away. My wings. When this skirt travels this way, this will travel that way, which gives a lot of drama and a lot of. Should I just try like running with that on? I don't know for sure.

[B]

What do you think?

[A]

I mean, what kind of ball is this, you guys? This is my rendezvous dance. Beautiful. Okay, great.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Disney, here we come.

[B]

So excited. Oh God. The best place on earth. There's nothing else I'd rather been doing.

[A]

I love your sweatshirt.

[B]

Thank you so much. It's my favorite.

[A]

Okay, so I'm very excited for today. We get to go to Disney. We're filming for Dancing with the Stars here. Here we go.

[B]

Hey guys, let's get to the more important things. How's everybody doing?

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Cool.

[A]

Okay, thanks. I got a pin. Since my first trip to Disney. And Val's also celebrating my first trip to Disney.

[B]

Alex's first trip.

[A]

Val's so excited. For my first time in Disney. We're gonna go on a. Honestly don't know where we're going.

[B]

We are going to Splash Mountain, I think.

[A]

Oh, are we?

[B]

I think so, yeah.

[A]

Well, goodbye to the blowout.

[B]

Oh no, we're going to Indiana Jones. That's where we're going.

[A]

Oh, oh, here we go. You seek the treasure of Mara, glittering gold. I'm not going to.

[B]

Your.

[A]

Today was a success. Got some big old turkey lines.

[B]

Just like putting my phone in the front.

[A]

Oh, it's actually really good. Bow. Delicious.

[B]

Delicious.

[A]

Here we go. What?

[B]

Better than that.

[A]

Yeah, but it'll look cool.

[B]

All right, let's do this. Yeah. And with storytelling and passion. Look in the direction of your mind.

[A]

He's bringing his foot in down there.

[B]

No, nothing is bad. This is a dance, like I said, you know, duck. A duck on the water. You see a duck, it's either flowing or just drowning. As long as that is not drowning. So you got to do whatever you got to do down here to support all the artistry movement up here. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So this is not good. Not because the way you step on your feet, but because it's stopping your upper body from flow. I'm going to add another sound effect there. Let's get to the more pressing issue. Is it Earl girls still, or is it the Val gals? I feel like we need to address this.

[A]

Well, now that you brought it up. Yeah. It's like, there's a state, and then there's, like, a city inside the state. So, like, here's Alex. Earl. The Val girls are, like, in there. So Earl girls run the town. Val's gals are, like, a part of them, right? They're becoming a big group.

[B]

Yeah, they're about to be. They're the coolest part of town.

[A]

I think they're the cool kids. They're not overtaking the city yet.

[B]

What do they have to do to overtake? And when you take that step to go down, don't take it literally forward towards me. Take it forward away from me. Yeah, I'm gonna have this thing.

[A]

Vote for us, please, because I have a lot of ideas. It will be so much fun.

[B]

I'm really confident in our couple, so I just want more chances to dance. And I feel like.

[A]

And we have to do our trick.

[B]

And we still gotta do our trick. I forgot which one of you mentioned it, but she's gonna have horns on her head. Yep. How does that change the dynamic of the dance while you're preparing for the dance? Yeah. She's a great spinner, for instance, and I. You know, there's a lot of movement that we do that's like, over her head. Turns that are out of play here. I won't be able to get it over the horns. So things like that, even that small element in a lot of the links that we have in the Vinnies waltz. Those intertwined arms are really beautiful. Those are the things that we can't use. So we need to find beauty in other things and adjust certain movement. But we're working on making her beautifully long limbs actually dance long. Right. You could be big, but dance small. You could be small, but dance really big. I want her to dance fully. So one of the things are the arms.

[A]

So if I don't get them up, they're gonna hit my turkey legs. So this is my challenge for the week. But maybe it'll make me a better dancer.

[B]

Hopefully the maleficent's magic will make you a better dancer.

[A]

This arm is ugly.

[B]

It's almost my arm.

[A]

My arm.

[B]

Why is it a. So we're not using those. Those words.

[A]

It could be better.

[B]

Yeah. Why?

[A]

Because I'm not putting my attention on it and I'm trying to think about the steps instead of dancing through gracefully.

[B]

You asked me earlier in the week, what's our wow moment? That's our wow moment. The entire routine is a wow moment. You and I dancing next to each other is a wow moment. When we are intentional and when we are in it not stressed about that wow moment that we have coming up. Every second is a lot more. If you make it that.

[A]

So from here, my arms are here. Yeah. More straight.

[B]

Straighter. Okay. Yeah. But you've done long ass arms.

[A]

We were just trying to figure out the story we wanted to portray in the dance. You already took my wings. I already hate your guts. And then it's kind of like, I hate you. A little bit of love, and then like, I really hate you. And then I start. They'll kill you at the end.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Almost like toxic relationship. Back and forth. Feel is more fun.

[B]

Yeah. She just wanted to get into it, you know, right away she's like, I.

[A]

Want to be nice. I don't want to be nice.

[B]

Best idea wins. It's not about my idea or your idea. These are all our ideas.

[A]

Best idea wins.

[B]

Best idea wins. Always.

[A]

Somehow they just keep end up being lying. Yeah. How do I make more room on, like, after this? Like the. Okay. That's what I really want to do this week is prove to everyone that I can be a versatile dancer and be a different character.

[B]

I think so far, you know, you also had, like, choppy, quick, like, fun movement. This is really the first time you get to be very legato and just stretchy and that's sometimes even harder. So.

[A]

Well, for me, because I'm a little stiff sometimes.

[B]

I said nothing.

[A]

I got Some big shoulders. So we're gonna.

[B]

You don't have big shoulders.

[A]

They all are.

[B]

You just need to do push ups, like build some pec muscles.

[A]

I know it's kind of hard, though, all the plastic. Next step in the getting ready process for this dance is we are gonna get some long ass nails. So this is very out of my comfort zone, but we're really just gonna go for it. I think it's gonna be fun, and it's gonna help me feel evil and witchy. I'm so, so excited. But we're gonna do them really pointy, so hopefully. I don't, like, stab Val with them, but I want them to be like, daggers.

[B]

How do you like it?

[A]

I love it. That's perfect. This is so fun. This is literally the sweetest thing ever. She got me toys for Asia to bring home, and she got me balloons. Matt, say 10 on it. So we're manifesting a 10 this season. And, guys, I don't recognize myself. I love these nails so much. I'm just like, this is so not me. Like, I'm looking at myself, and I'm like, whose fingers are these? But I feel like I want to channel, like, Lady Gaga. I feel like she's so good at being so dramatic, and she always has, like, crazy nails. So I'm thinking, like, even my moves I do in the dance, like, this is just gonna make them better. Okay. I'm excited. I just need to get into character.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Hi.

[B]

Cory, start heading to the dance.

[A]

Okay, Go ahead. All right.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Good morning, everybody.

[B]

Hey.

[A]

How are you? Oh, my gosh. You're too cold. So we're gonna run through the dance really quick. So this is the last time we get to do it before dress rehearsal. So we had some last minute changes last night, so have to remember those.

[B]

You guys change dances that late?

[A]

Well, just a few little tweaks. Like, we added, instead of three spins, we're doing four instead of, like, one of the moves. I wanted to, like, find the camera. Once you see the camera blocking, I kind of changed where I spin to, like, look in the camera like this.

[B]

Wait, are you playing Sleeping Beauty?

[A]

Oh, yeah. You better believe it. We have a third member of our dance. I'm serving Aura, a blonde wig. This is this week just for Alex, just so we could kill her off. Literally. I die in the first or I fall asleep in the first three.

[B]

What happened was they. We blew the entire budget on last week's number. So they were like, you're getting nothing.

[A]

It was worth it.

[B]

Like, how do we make something.

[A]

Sleeping Beauty trio night.

[B]

You're going down.

[A]

Anything for this team. She takes a good nap during our dance. But, like, Pete, me walking off at the end when they're getting all tense. Me rolling over and, like, slowly walking off.

[B]

Drag yourself. Oh, she's killing it this week. So is the only prop your wife the only prop? My wife is our prop, yes. Applause. Dancing the Viennese once with her partner, Van Schme. It's Alex.

[A]

Earl. I just don't think I was counting. You don't need to count, but we're going. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

[B]

That was really, really good.

[A]

Get in there. You can't look down. You gotta just go for it. And I was going too fast there.

[B]

It just gets excited and jumpy instead of like, strong stretchy and giant ugly steps.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, it gets a little like, fair.

[A]

Giant ugly steps.

[B]

Disney fairy tale waltzy. But that's not proper technique. So your performance is good. It's just to the floor, you know, you're asking me, like, what would they say? That's another thing they would say. Okay, that's literally verbatim what someone like Derek could say. Okay, when you get up, can we practice that right now? A little better. You're still helping yourself, but not excellent. Let's do that again.

[A]

Yeah, but I could be better. And I will be better. I'm only half baked. Maleficent right now. When she's full, she'll be out to play.

[B]

The queen will come out.

[A]

She's coming out. I don't know if she's a queen. This one is. That was so cringy. And what else?

[B]

Whenever we come into each other's space, be intentional with that. Let's sway, lovey, and more direct and in my face.

[A]

Yeah, Beautiful. She's ready. This needs her horns. I have to transform because Alex can't look like this, but Maleficent can. Like, do we have a piece coming out? Should we do this, like, here or maybe like that? So we chopped real hair from Val.

[B]

Shave from my armpit.

[A]

Maybe we do one like, on the side. I don't want it to look too here. So it's not like sideburn, but, like, if we cut it, you just see like, a little bit. But like. Oh, like a bang scoop kind of situation. Yeah. Just to see, like, a little something. Yeah, I think it feels good. I mean, you look amazing. Thank you so much. Oh, you're welcome. You're the best. Oh, my God, you look incredible. So good. Okay.

[B]

Love that.

[A]

Okay, okay. So we do the last bit. Be our yes. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

[B]

1.

[A]

Stop. We're now starting over the base with the makeup. But I feel really good. I think with. Now, I'm not like, I was worried, like, making facial expressions because it was, like, just a little tight. So now we can really.

[B]

So Sleeping Beauty just ready to get.

[A]

Put in a sleep coma. My king and queen.

[B]

Every rose has its thorn.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Wants to grab the bull by the horns.

[A]

That's how we should do this.

[B]

And I look like Jon Snow. I mean, what more do we need?

[A]

I know. That's the problem. Trying to compete.

[B]

It's hard. Let's go.

[A]

Get back there.

[B]

Witch. Here we go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think you can go. And then just pick a hip and. Yeah, just.

[A]

No, no, I'm not doing that.

[B]

You could even just do this in front of. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

That's better. Yeah.

[B]

Okay, so what happens is you gotta.

[A]

Take a step around.

[B]

Step around. Yes. And I hear to the camera. Cool. Go have fun. Ready for you. Y. Thank you.

[A]

That looks great.

[B]

Yes. That turn. It doesn't matter about the camera. You can do that turn.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Beautiful. Yes. Didn't change your head on time, or did you? Yes. Pivots. Two things that turn seven on Costo and here. It's a different energy here.

[A]

Snap.

[B]

Different energy on the grid. Snap. And then the second one. And it's literally the only other one better. It's like. It's like. You know what I'm saying? It came in, and you're like. You gotta come in and breathe that. That's it. Those are the only two moments. Likewise right here. It's gotta be like, you know, fucking passion. Sorry. It's all good. Thank you.

[A]

This looks great. I mean, you've got fucking cheekbones for days. It's amazing. You look so good.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thank you. This is so hot. I don't want to get.

[B]

How are you? You look beautiful.

[A]

So excited.

[B]

Full body, chills.

[A]

How do you have an Alex coffee? I stole it from your trailer. Sor.

[B]

You look beautiful.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You look so awesome.

[A]

Guys, I'm so excited. The nerves are starting to settle in.

[B]

Oh, hey, baby.

[A]

We're partying without you. Me too.

[B]

Guys, you look amazing.

[A]

Thank you. We just took a shot in her trailer.

[B]

Thank God.

[A]

Yeah. Proud.

[B]

You look amazing. I'm so jealous. I love you guys.

[A]

All right.

[B]

See you guys.

[A]

I'm starting to get like. When I get anxious and quiet. Deep breath. Okay. Love you. Love you. Looks just like this.

[B]

Confidence. Remember confidence. Don't forget who the you are.

[A]

I have confidence. I have confidence. It's coming out. No confidence. You guys.

[B]

Vlogging. Vlog.

[A]

Vlog. Wow. This is amazing. Jungle chic. Wait, my brother just got a little snake. A little python. No way. He wants to be like you. That is amazing. Well, say hi to your brother. Hello. What's his name? Thomas. Hi, Thomas.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Send him love. Oh, that's so sweet. Your dance is killer this week. Your dance is so.

[B]

No, it's, like, amazing.

[A]

Let's do this. Let's do this. Yeah. Oh, Aurora. Where did she go? Aurora's coming back. Aurora took a break. She's sleeping. How are you feeling?

[B]

I'm ready.

[A]

I'm up first. This dance is so fun.

[B]

I'm happy to go first here. So you actually get to watch everybody.

[A]

Yeah. You, I feel like will enjoy the show a lot more. Every time I see you, you're like, I just want to get out.

[B]

I do, I do. But I love you. Actually went into character. I just, like, went to Stagecoach.

[A]

The light side and the dark side. Like, who else can we play with? How are you feeling? Good.

[B]

Good. I'm excited.

[A]

This dance is so fun. It's so good. So good.

[B]

You feel like you're on the right.

[A]

Yes. The light. These lights. You make me sick when you dance. You guys are not.

[B]

Your dance is great. Beautiful. It sure is.

[A]

Oh, Ryan, Ryan.

[B]

Mucho gusto. You look amazing.

[A]

I'm freaking out. You look so good.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Ready to box.

[B]

I'm excited. I'm ready to box. The top. You are the leaderboard. Please vote. Thank you so much.

[A]

What is this for yours? Yeah. Oh, I wasn't ready.

[B]

Okay, don't vote. Never mind. Never mind.

[A]

I'm a little nervous, but excited. And I think this is my favorite dance we've done yet. Vote for us.

[B]

Is she a fairy or is she a goat? We'll never know.

[A]

Your jokes are something else.

[B]

Yeah. Why don't you stand front and center, hands on your hips, looking like a baddie.

[A]

Where are you?

[B]

I'm behind you. Just cute. I'm giving 8th century AD sheep. Hey, we did it. We did it.

[A]

Okay, time to celebrate. Sleeping was a 10. I couldn't hear anything. And I was like, did it start? And then I was like, oh, no, it didn't start, but whatever. Right? You were just giving, like, intention. I was like, but my hair was kind of like.

[B]

My homie who never texts me was like, bro, great dance.

[A]

Really? Really?

[B]

You're on. Like, never, never, never. That's how I know it was good. My. My friends who don't watch the show text me.

[A]

She's going.

[B]

The things I do. It's a true partner right here.

[A]

Did you guys love your show?

[B]

Congratulations.

[A]

It was amazing, and you did so great.

[B]

It couldn't have gone better. It was incredible.

[A]

Chills, crying. We're gonna bang out this press really quick, and then we'll do dinner. You can meet me at the trailer. There's a tequila bottle in there. You were so amazing. Amazing.

[B]

Should have been nines across the board. She was incredible.

[A]

Tens in our hearts, but yeah, she'll get them next week.

[B]

She looks like a 10. She's a 10. She's always a 10. There we go.

[A]

The evil queen is everyone. Now everyone grab a pin and rip it off.

[B]

Dinner in the horns.

[A]

You're not dinnering in the horns. Well, what a fantastic night. It was amazing.

[B]

Couldn't have gone better.

[A]

Thank you guys for coming. Maleficent out.