Hot Mess with Alix Earle

Episode: Four Dances, Two Weeks, One Perfect Score
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Alix Earle
Guests: Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jordan, Joey Grassaday

Episode Overview

In this lively behind-the-scenes episode, Alix Earle takes listeners through the frenetic, emotional, and exciting two weeks of her journey on Dancing with the Stars. Balancing the pressures of multiple routines, a team dance, a split rehearsal schedule, and her persistent self-doubt, Alix opens up with her signature humor and candor. Alongside her pro partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy and teammate Jordan, Alix shares the adrenaline, laughs, and learning curves that lead to her first perfect score.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chaos of Team Dance Rehearsals

• The episode drops listeners right into a Dancing with the Stars team rehearsal, with Alix, Val, and Jordan working through choreography, last-minute tricks, and a palpable mix of nerves and camaraderie.
• Notable moment: Last-minute addition of a “big trick” that nearly didn’t make it due to fear of injury, which sets the scene for the episode’s bold energy.
  • Valentin (regarding a risky lift):
    “These things make me nervous. But she's such a gangster. Last night I was like, fuck it, let's do it. And we're doing it.” [03:07]

2. Learning, Laughter, and Growth in the Ballroom

• Alix describes how collaborating with more experienced dancers helped accelerate her skills, highlighting the difference dancing in a group makes.

• She’s honest about ongoing struggles: from facing anxiety about her performance to the comedic difficulty of walking down (rather than flipping over) stairs on stage.

  • Alix:
    “I do a front flip on Val's shoulders and you're scared about the steps? ... Yes, the steps are.” [06:52]

• The value of constructive criticism and emotional processing is a repeated theme—Alix finds having a “little breakdown” sometimes precedes her best work.

  • “I think that's the key to getting a good dance is I just need to have a little breakdown first, and then I really lock in.” [07:28]

3. Song Choices, Special Connections, and Pressure to Perform

• This episode’s featured dance is to “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi—a song with special significance, as Alix once met Bon Jovi at a party.
  • Alix:
    “This is why it's important that I go out, because I'm networking for important things like this.” [07:50]
• Discussions revolve around the challenge of learning new routines under time crunches and feeling added pressure due to connections with the music and expectations from both fans and pros.

4. Behind the Costumes: Anxiety, Rituals, and Superstitions

• Pre-performance rituals include everything from fashion debates to worries about jewelry choking her mid-fox trot, to confessions about “pregame shots” to calm her nerves.
  • Alix:
    “I took a shot before last week's dance and I think it really helped me. So I'm going to be guzzling some tequila today, and hopefully that helps bring out my magic.” [16:09]

5. The Partnership Dynamic: Humor, Encouragement, and Honest Feedback

• The bond between Alix and Val is at the episode’s core—supportive, teasing, and real.

  • Valentin:
    “I know you do, but I don't want you to do anything out of fear. I want you to do it out of excitement and enjoy.” [24:53]
  • Alix’s concern: “I just want to do a good job for you.” [24:51]

• Val celebrates their progress after their “favorite and strongest dance,” emphasizing growth and mutual trust.

  • Valentin:
    “This is by far my favorite. Like, this is your strongest dance, for sure. The most confident I felt in my arms. The most confident I felt afterwards.” [13:19]

6. Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing the Stage

• Alix is open about anxiety—especially for dances outside her “comfort” style (like the fox trot), and the pressure of maintaining grace, charm, and technical skill under the spotlight.

  • “I think those dances where I have to be really graceful...It's a lot to think about at once...By the time I’m even thinking those things, we’re 10 more steps gone.” [17:45]

• The emotional rollercoaster is a recurring motif: from anxious rehearsal energy to the relief and euphoria post-performance and scoring.

  • “Perfect score, perfect score. We did it. 40 and we're going to the 75.” [31:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On facing fear in rehearsal:
  Valentin: "She's such a gangster and she's, like, forcing me to do things that are scary." [03:07]

• On team dance energy:
  Alix: "I feel like we're all laughing the whole time. It's a good vibe...I think I'm...becoming a little bit of a better dancer surf like Val." [05:37]

• On high performance anxiety:
  Alex: "I just get very stressed about the stairs. You saw I just fell down the one step and face planted and rolled my ankle." [06:52]

• On celebratory energy after a breakthrough dance:
  Valentin: "You gave a 40 piece and you got a 39...This is by far my favorite. Like, this is your strongest dance, for sure." [13:19]

• Fan moment humor:
  Alix: “Don't forget to vote for me. I'm serious. In the audience. You have to vote.” [11:48]

• On letting go of pressure:
  "I was just so stressed about stressing Belle out. But then I did the dance. Let's go, let's go, let's go." [28:59]

• Comic teamwork:
  Valentin: "Stretch your ass. Stretch that ass now. Andy knows all about those stretches." [14:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dance Team Rehearsal & Nerves: [01:37–04:49]
• On Getting Better as a Dancer & Team Dynamics: [05:33–07:13]
• Song Choices, Bon Jovi Story, and Team Dance Logistics: [07:26–08:53]
• Pre-Show Rituals & Costuming Fun: [16:09–17:19], [19:13–20:55]
• Val & Alix on Partnership and Growth: [12:56–13:33], [24:51–25:22]
• Celebrating Scores and Confidence: [13:43–14:08], [31:30–31:43]
• Anxiety, Self-Doubt, and Overcoming It: [17:45–18:21], [24:51–25:22], [28:53–29:17]

Overall Vibe & Episode Takeaways

• Authenticity: Alix is candid about her vulnerabilities, anxieties, and messy moments (from literally peeing a little out of nerves to pre-show tequila shots and costume mishaps).
• Growth: Listeners see marked progression in both dance skill and mindset, highlighted by team victories and a perfect score.
• Fun & Friendship: The banter is light but sincere; humor, mutual support, and playful teasing drive the episode.
• Empowerment: The story arc from uncertainty to triumph is relatable and motivational for anyone facing personal or performance anxiety.

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

Even without deep knowledge of Dancing with the Stars, this episode offers a fun, raw look at high-pressure creativity, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the value of teamwork. Alix Earle, with genuine (and often hilarious) self-deprecation, brings listeners into her process and her heart—leaving them rooting for her next dance.

Closing Quote

• Valentin Chmerkovskiy:
  "I don't want you to do anything out of fear. I want you to do it out of excitement and enjoy." [24:53]

• Alix Earle:
  “Perfect score, perfect score. We did it.” [31:43]