BTS of a Wet, Hot Reale Summer

Summary

Hot Mess – BTS of a Wet, Hot Reale Summer

Host: Alix Earle
Date: June 12, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively behind-the-scenes episode of Hot Mess, Alix Earle brings listeners onto the set of the real Active Summer campaign shoot with her signature blend of humor, candidness, and warmth. The episode follows the chaos and camaraderie of a busy campaign day—from debates over wardrobe choices and creative direction to moments of exhaustion, gratitude, and celebration. Alix’s unfiltered storytelling, coupled with interactions from her team, offers a rare glimpse into influencer life when the cameras are (almost) off.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Campaign Concept & Creative Vision

• [01:27] Alix introduces the shoot:
  • “Today’s shoot is for the real Active’s summer campaign. Wet hot, Real summer. That was a lot of cardio… The more that we get to do things like this, the more this all feels like a reality and a dream come true.”
• Creative message:
  • [01:53] “That your routine is easy and simple and go live your best life in the summer. And that your skin shouldn't stop you from having the best summer ever…your routine should be the last thing on your mind.”

2. Behind the Scenes: Wardrobe, Looks, and Logistics

• Choosing outfits & matching the campaign aesthetic
  • [02:29] Alix and team discuss swimsuit and cover-up options and how to align them with the campaign’s metallic branding.
  • Funny debate about whether a garment is a skirt, top, or “what you wear to the gas station.”
  • [03:36] Alix jokes about never having worn a “bikini bottom this big ever. Oh, she’s wet, hot. Real summer.”
• Styling mishaps & team banter
  • Playful arguments about who lives where, and a side story on a dog’s newfound love for hunting lizards (Asia the dog, “my daughter’s, like, agile” [03:52]).

3. Creative Freedom & Influence

• Shooting for your own brand vs. others
  • [04:55] “You get to make the decisions. Like, sometimes you can't, or it feels worse or weird to…change something if it's…their creative…Having the freedom to have a say in things. It's very fun.”
  • [05:14] On being picky: “No, I feel like you gotta be picky otherwise, what are you doing?”

4. Shoot Day Chaos: Snacks, Sweat, and Summer Mindset

• Candid moments during shooting
  • Sampling snacks (“Yuck, yeah, spit it out” [05:35]), tracking the favorite shots, and discussing comfort vs. looking “cool.”
• Navigating weather & energy
  • [11:09] Alix prefers silence while getting ready: “Every time someone does my hair makeup…they’re like, should we play some music? And I’m like, I want to sit here in complete silence.”
  • [12:23] Coping with the cold on set, using hand warmers and blankets while pushing through outdoor beach shots:
    • “Give me notes…fun, like action…especially will show like my cheek or skin” [07:48].

5. Creative Collaboration with Crew

• Interaction with directors & photographers:
  • Alix openly gives feedback about vibes, setups, and shot concepts: “That’s not how you walk in the summer with your friends” [08:23].
  • Lighthearted “robbing the store” bit (a running joke while shooting in a convenience store).
• Pushing for the right shot, team encouragement:
  • “Never say never” [11:51] on getting in the water, despite the weather.
  • “Let’s roll camera.” [12:51]

6. Notable Moments & Humor

• Botox mishap
  • [15:10] “I got too much Botox on accident. I’m like, I can’t move my face.”
• Summing up the day
  • [16:51] “Good. I’m so happy with everything. Now let’s see if we can get this shot.”
  • [20:09] Alix gives a heartfelt thanks to her team:
    • “Cheers to an amazing, successful day. And thank you all for all the hard work and effort that you put in…this all feels like a reality and a dream come true.”

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On creative freedom:
  • “You get to make the decisions…Having the freedom to have a say in things. It’s very fun.” – Alix, [04:55]
• On pushing through discomfort:
  • “Because the Beyoncé came on. I said, what would Beyoncé do? Beyoncé would not act cold. And I said walk.” – Alix, [13:30]
• On gratitude and teamwork:
  • “Just the more that we get to do things like this, the more this all feels like a reality and a dream come true…thank you all for being a part of that and making this so smooth and seamless.” – Alix, [20:09]
• On influencer realities:
  • “Have you ever had a shoot that went perfectly on time ever though?” – Interviewer/Assistant, [14:07]
    “No.” – Alix, [14:10]
• Humor about self-image:
  • “Thanks for running with us…Looks weird. Cuz I got too much Botox on accident. I’m like, I can’t move my face.” – Alix, [15:10]

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Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:27 | Alix introduces the Wet Hot Real Active summer campaign | | 02:29 | Discussion about outfit choices and branding | | 04:55 | Creative control vs. working for others | | 07:48 | Alix guides the kind of energy she wants in group shots | | 11:09 | Alix reveals she prefers silence during prep | | 13:30 | “What would Beyoncé do?”—using pop star energy to push through| | 15:10 | Botox mishap and humor about influencer “perfection” | | 16:51 | Final thoughts on the success of the shoot | | 20:09 | Alix’s heartfelt thank you to her team |

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Tone & Takeaways

• Atmosphere: Playful, upbeat, occasionally chaotic but warm and team-oriented.
• Originality: The episode feels like an audio vlog—listeners are immersed in a real day’s action, laughter, and effort.
• For Listeners:
  • Get a peek into the less-glamorous, hardworking reality of influencer campaign shoots.
  • Enjoy spontaneous humor, team banter, and honest moments of gratitude from Alix.

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Summary Verdict:
This episode offers a unique, inside look at Alix Earle’s influencer world, revealing both the fun and the hustle that go into creating summer campaign content. Whether it’s outfits gone wrong, debating over fisheye lenses, or powering through a freezing shoot with Beyoncé as motivation, listeners get to enjoy the unpolished, unfiltered Alix—reminding us that behind every iconic campaign, there’s teamwork, chaos, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Transcript

[Narrator/Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Nordstrom. Whether you're packing for a vacation or dressing for a wedding, Nordstrom has head to toe looks for wherever summer takes you. From swimwear and bold color to romantic florals and dresses that make an entrance. Find the right style for every unforgettable moment. Shop new arrivals from brands you love like Farmrio, Free People, Vince, Waithe and Staad. Plus free shipping and returns and styling help whenever you need it. Make it all so easy. Shop now in [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app

Ready to soundtrack your summer with Red Bull Summer All Day Play. You choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end dj, a road dog, or a trail mixer? Just add a song to your chosen playlist and put your summer on track. Red Bull Summer All Day Play. Red Bull gives you wings. Visit red bull.com brightsummerahead to learn more. See you this summer.

This episode is brought to you by Prime. What if you had one more chance with the one that got away?

[Alex]

Sam, you Came home.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Based on the best selling novel from Carly Fortune. Every Year after follows childhood friends Sam and Percy as they reunite in the dreamy, nostalgic lakeside town of Barry's Bay.

[Alex]

Love can be hard to find. So if you're lucky enough to find that person, never let go.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

A second chance at first love. Every Year After. Now streaming only on Prime.

[Alex]

Today's shoot is for the real Active's summer campaign. Wet hot, Real summer. That was a lot of cardio. Actually. Wait. The more that we get to do things like this, the more this all feels like a reality and a dream come true.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

What's the creative behind it?

[Alex]

That your routine is easy and simple and go live your best life in the summer. And that your skin shouldn't stop you from having the best summer ever. Like your routine should be the last thing on your mind. They're cool, but they look weird on me. Look, let me show you. Like I look like an alien. I think you look cool still. Maybe it's my face I'm making. Okay, it's not as bad as I thought, but. No, I think I feel like I look like a beginner. This one could be cool. Yeah, just cause it's like colorful. I'll try that.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

How many looks are you shooting today?

[Alex]

Just one. So we just need one bikini and one like outfit over it. But I'm trying to think of something that like will go with the metallic branding for the summer. But it's also not going to clash with, like, the green product. So the only thing is, our hero shot is, like, with reflective sunglasses on. And I think we sort of like the silver vibe for that, but sort of where they look, like, mirrored and reflective. Is this like a swim cover up or. No, it's. I think it's a top. Oh, no, no, it's a bottom. Okay, well, let's try it.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Let's try it.

[Photographer/Director]

You're fine.

[Alex]

Not that giving what you wear to the gas station in the summer, but I'm just curious what this is. Is this how you wear it?

[Assistant/Stylist]

Yeah.

[Alex]

What is it?

[Assistant/Stylist]

It's a skirt.

[Alex]

It's so cute.

[Assistant/Stylist]

It is really cute, but it doesn't go.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Like, if you were pulling up to the gas station.

[Alex]

Well, I might.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Andrea's like, no, she doesn't live there. Like, I feel like it's a vacation. She's like, she's delusional. And I was like, no, she fully moved back to Miami. Like, what are you even talking about? Yeah, no, we were fighting about it on the way over.

[Alex]

We were beeping, don't trigger her.

[Assistant/Stylist]

And it makes me really sad that Asia is so happy there, because now I'm like, she's gonna come back to her palace in the sky and be like, where are the lizards and where is the grass? Is she happier there?

[Alex]

She is really happy because she. She has a yard and she sniffs, and all of a sudden, like, she knows where the lizards are, like, under the grass and she gets them. And she got one, like, this big the other day, and it was disastrous, Like, sprinkling her treats all around the yard. I was like, drop it. And she won it. But, like, part of me is, like, proud of her that she's so, like, nimble and can get it. Like, wow, My daughter's, like, agile.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Yeah, she can protect herself.

[Alex]

I thought she was a slow, little mopey girl, but she can get activated when she wants to. Is it, like, unflattering diaper?

[Assistant/Stylist]

No, it's not diaper.

[Alex]

It's definitely not diaper. It's definitely diaper.

[Assistant/Stylist]

I mean, it's definitely not tiny.

[Alex]

I've never, like, worn a bikini bottom this big ever. Oh, she's wet, hot. Real summer.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah. Now that you've done a bunch of shoots for real actives, what's the biggest difference between, like, shooting for your own brand compared to others?

[Alex]

You get to make the decisions. Like, sometimes you can't, or it feels worse or weird to, like, speak up or say something or change something if it's like at the sake of their creative and what they want for their team. Having the freedom to have a say in things. It's very fun.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Do you still hold back at all while you're here or do you just let all your like, hey, we should sue. Yeah.

[Alex]

Here.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah.

[Alex]

No, I feel like you got to be picky otherwise. What are you doing? Did you see the prongo? Does this actually taste like anything?

[Assistant/Stylist]

I think so. I think it's lime.

[Alex]

Yuck. Yeah, spit it out. You know, lime slushy.

[Photographer/Director]

Hi, how are you? Good to see you.

[Alex]

Good to see you. Cute. Those look great.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

You happy?

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

She looks so good too.

[Alex]

You guys look great. Leaving right off.

[Photographer/Director]

Really? Where are you going after this?

[Alex]

Back to Miami.

[Photographer/Director]

Okay, cool. Tonight or.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

Oh my God.

[Alex]

I'm going to the airport for your. Oh, green seats too.

[Photographer/Director]

Really cute.

[Assistant/Stylist]

She's sweating the goosebumps. She's sweating her.

[Photographer/Director]

Looks so cool.

[Alex]

You're from Australia? Yeah, we're in Australia. Sydney.

[Photographer/Director]

Have you been?

[Alex]

I've never been so bad. Oh my God. That surprises me. You have to go. I've heard the best thing. First shot done. They're gonna be ready for me in like five minutes. So I feel like right before we go. Let's grip because this is where I'm like wiping sweat off.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Quick lift now touch.

[Alex]

And action.

[Photographer/Director]

I think that looks really cute. Yeah. So I want to do one more where it's a little slower.

[Alex]

Should we try a few more?

[Photographer/Director]

Yeah. What are you feeling? Give me notes.

[Alex]

Like, I think some fun. Like action from.

[Photographer/Director]

From the back rows.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

So.

[Alex]

Want some moments too. Just like ones that especially will show like my cheek or skin. I feel like we look too. Like we're strutting, doing a catwalk, all of us.

[Photographer/Director]

Like they should all be running afterwards.

[Alex]

I don't know, like just maybe different vibes of like, like 1, 2, 3. Like it's like.

[Photographer/Director]

Yeah, you're right.

[Alex]

That's not how you walk in the summer with your friends.

[Photographer/Director]

True. I agree. I think we just have Emma run after you.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

Ok.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Even in the sun.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Yeah.

[Alex]

Cuz this is so cold. Hold it.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Oh, it is pretty cold.

[Alex]

I'm like. I'm like looking at all the snacks in here. I wonder what sour candy they are.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Open. I'm just saying.

[Alex]

Oh, they're open.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah, we can.

[Alex]

I love sunflower seeds.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

What flavor?

[Alex]

The ranch.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Oh, you get the ranch.

[Photographer/Director]

That's actually so cute. Okay, I think we got Alex. The body is completely body. Yeah. I love the hair

[Interviewer/Assistant]

from what you've shot. So Far. Do you have, like, a favorite yet?

[Alex]

There was a shot in here in front of the fridge where I had the Slurpee. Once we cropped it in because it was a wide angle, my feet looked weird in it. But once he cropped it in, I liked it a lot. I think that one's my favorite so far.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

I'm excited to see you get on the surfboard in the water.

[Alex]

Well, well, let's just see. We have a body double for that to go.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Serving.

[Alex]

Yeah. I'm going in. I have my wetsuit.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

I feel like it's good. Content.

[Alex]

Oh, brother. I know. These are my favorite thing in the entire world.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

We can get some.

[Alex]

I mean, yeah, we can. We need to. I love Cubby patties.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Action.

[Alex]

Should I try some of this?

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

The no music is, like, crazy.

[Alex]

What's something you love that everyone else hates? Maybe silence. Every time someone does my hair makeup, like a hair makeup artist, they're like, should we play some music? And I'm like, I want to sit here in complete silence. Would that be gross of me to get beef jerky? No, not at all.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Why would it be gross?

[Alex]

Just checking.

[Photographer/Director]

Action. That's cooler to me, right?

[Alex]

No, the fisheye.

[Photographer/Director]

This is fisheye.

[Alex]

Oh, I don't think it needs more than that. I think that's cool.

[Photographer/Director]

But then this is no fisheye.

[Alex]

No, no.

[Photographer/Director]

See what I'm saying?

[Alex]

Fisheye. And I don't think we need more set dressing.

[Photographer/Director]

Okay. Like, this looks.

[Alex]

You can see it up here.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

And I like.

[Alex]

Okay, let's go.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Yeah.

[Photographer/Director]

Love the. We got. I'm robbing the store, sister. Why the you robbing the store?

[Alex]

I'm robbing the store. Open the store.

[Photographer/Director]

I'm robbing the store.

[Alex]

Okay, that's good. Cute.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Take it. With this wind, there's no chance you get in the water.

[Alex]

Never say never.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Never say never.

[Alex]

It's so hot out.

[Assistant/Stylist]

I can't believe it.

[Alex]

So warm. So warm. It's a beautiful day.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

It's just a mindset.

[Alex]

It's just a mindset. Of course. It's the hottest day. So wet, cold. Real summer. Feel free to grab your blankets, and then we're gonna get you back in shortly. Make sure we have enough time, too, for stills, because we definitely need to get good jobs here.

[Assistant/Stylist]

I totally agree. I think they're gonna get you guys in the car, and then we're gonna get stills after. We need a hair. Not me and my grandma blanket. Are we Tokyo drifting?

[Alex]

A few moments of cold, and then

[Assistant/Stylist]

we'll be done with it so just face neck sexy.

[Alex]

Let's roll camera.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

All right, I'm gonna give this to you.

[Alex]

It's really cold.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I have a hand warmer for you.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Ready? And action.

[Alex]

All right, we're good. I'll take that from you. Let's get Alex.

[Photographer/Director]

Hand warmers.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Hand warmers.

[Photographer/Director]

Hand warmers. Hand warmers.

[Alex]

Oh, my God. And then the sun came out for you right now. That's what I felt like. It was a reward.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Tell me how that really felt.

[Alex]

I literally, honestly. Because the Beyonce came on. I said, what would Beyonce do? Beyonce would not act cold. And I said walk.

[Assistant/Stylist]

In two seconds. Your facial expression totally changed.

[Alex]

We were like, from this to like. I'm not kidding. The song.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Smoking.

[Alex]

Oh, am I on fire?

[Interviewer/Assistant]

It was smoking.

[Alex]

Alrighty. Well, at least that's over. Could you see the branding on the cube? It looks really cute.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Oh, yeah, this is nice.

[Alex]

Yeah. We have an hour left to do 45 things.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Have you ever had a shoot that went perfectly on time ever though?

[Alex]

No.

[Photographer/Director]

Hurt really good.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Got him.

[Alex]

Good. Okay. Oh, my God.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Wasn't that bad.

[Alex]

That was a lot of cardio, actually. Don't you guys feel like you just ran a marathon?

[Assistant/Stylist]

Get Tyler in the vlog.

[Alex]

Thanks for running with us. We're getting these quick and then we'll go. Smile. Looks weird. Cuz I got too much Botox on accident. I'm like, I can't move my face.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Is that a thing?

[Alex]

Really pumped me up. I am like. It feels like. It feels like I can't move my face over here. No, it's been, like, desperate. Yeah. I'm like, does it look weird with just me?

[Photographer/Director]

Yeah, we're partying. Yeah, we're having fun.

[Alex]

Summer,

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Your favorite spot.

[Alex]

I feel like I've reached the point where, like, my fingers and toes have started to go. I should have gotten a hot coffee on. Coffee. Hot coffee. Oh, hot coffee for me. Stupid idiot. Why would I get iced coffee hot? Oh, my God. Did you light these on fire? Maddie. Well, I've never felt them this warm in my life.

[Assistant/Stylist]

I think they've just been, like, sitting here.

[Alex]

Wait, this one's. They're so hot.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Alex, you look warm.

[Alex]

I do?

[Interviewer/Assistant]

You look warm. That looked like a great throw. What? That looked good. It did.

[Photographer/Director]

I'm trying my hardest.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

How it landed. Look great.

[Photographer/Director]

To make it look appropriate. I had it.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

The first two.

[Photographer/Director]

The Wayne. You guys, I ate that.

[Alex]

I'm sorry.

[Photographer/Director]

It was like, the perfect placement.

[Alex]

Come on.

[Photographer/Director]

And pat eliminate.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

To make a compilation of you running to the towel.

[Alex]

I know. Good. Oh, my God.

[Photographer/Director]

Hand warmers.

[Alex]

Oh.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

How are you feeling about the overall shoot?

[Alex]

Good. I'm so happy with everything. Now let's see if we can get this shot.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

There's only two shots left.

[Alex]

Well, two that they're saying we have to, but I definitely need to do more. It's not done.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

Channel that inner Beyonce.

[Alex]

Do the glasses look like crooked?

[Photographer/Director]

Oh, I see what you're saying. A little bit. I can fix that. Do. Do. You. Sorry. Sorry. I'm so sorry.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

You look warm. You look warm.

[Alex]

So hot.

[Photographer/Director]

Hey, we're done.

[Alex]

Woo. Woo. Here. But how did it look?

[Photographer/Director]

Scroll through Z.

[Alex]

We all feel good. Yeah. Better app on Alex.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I can try.

[Alex]

Wait, wait. Let's see.

[Photographer/Director]

You're kidding.

[Assistant/Stylist]

You're lying.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

It looks so good.

[Alex]

Whatever you're selling, I'm buying. We're selling ice cubes now.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Ice cubes.

[Alex]

One, two, three. Ready? Go, go, go, go, go, go. Relax. It's my hot summer. Okay, okay, okay.

[Photographer/Director]

Spray her chest like water. Water.

[Alex]

I got it, I got it, I got it. I got it. First motor. Oh my God. I'm sad.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

You're sad.

[Alex]

I feel like we're not getting a lot of shots I wanted to get because it's so cold.

[Interviewer/Assistant]

I will say you have like a switch when you're like freezing and then they start shooting and it's just gone.

[Alex]

What's girl to do? Are you guys sure that I shouldn't stay for more shots on the beach?

[Assistant/Stylist]

You got it.

[Alex]

I just don't want to like ruin the whole. What do you mean?

[Assistant/Stylist]

You made the whole campaign.

[Alex]

No, but like do we need more beach pictures with all the girls? You.

[Assistant/Stylist]

You crushed it. I think between the, the group shots and the solo shots and then the shots we're getting with them. We have it.

[Alex]

Have enough like skin texture.

[Assistant/Stylist]

We're gonna get it right now with them. So we have a night. A nice like variation. You're not going back out there.

[Alex]

What time is it?

[Assistant/Stylist]

It's 7:15.

[Alex]

Okay.

[Assistant/Stylist]

Driver's right there.

[Alex]

So I got time to hang out. This is so cute. Happy single day, Maya. Cheers to an amazing, successful day. And thank you all for all the hard work and effort that you put in. Cuz I know it's not easy to make something like this come together and I know it's going to be really, really amazing. And I am grateful for just the effort and you guys going the extra mile with this. And I know it was a little cold at the end, but we made it and I'm just very, very grateful. This is our second real campaign that we've ever shot. So just the more that we get to do things like this, the more this all feels like a reality and a dream come true. And I just thank you all for being a part of that and making this so smooth and seamless. And. Let's take a shot,

[Photographer/Director]

Sam.