Show Day at Dancing with the Stars (Unfiltered)

Summary

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Hot Mess with Alix Earle

Episode: Show Day at Dancing with the Stars (Unfiltered)

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Alix Earle
Guest: Val Chmerkovskiy (Dance Partner, DWTS Pro)

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Episode Overview

This energetic, unfiltered episode takes listeners behind the scenes with Alix Earle as she prepares for her live performance on “Dancing with the Stars.” From morning nerves and dance rehearsals to makeup transformations and showtime jitters, Alix and her pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy candidly share the emotional rollercoaster and camaraderie of show day. The episode blends humorous banter, the pressure of live TV, and the thrill (and terror) of pulling off a show-stopping jive in front of millions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Day Nerves — Facing Fears and Trust

• Alix reveals her anxiety about performance, especially about executing her signature “baby freeze” move—an acrobatic party trick she's integrating into the routine.
• Val reassures Alix and reflects on his experience:
  • "If you even for a second feel like you don't want to do it, just let me know." (00:30)
  • On performing the baby freeze in stilettos: “She’s a trailblazer.” (01:18)
• Alix discusses her past trauma with trust falls, amplifying the nerves about certain stunts:
  • “Someone dropped me when I was younger doing a trust fall at recess. So now I have such a fear of them.” (02:09)

2. Creative Process — Building the Performance

• Behind-the-scenes talk on choreography, incorporating Alix’s party tricks for fan appeal:
  • “Baby Freeze is my go to party trick. It's like a little handstand, headstand, legs over your head.” (01:46)
• Val playfully admits he took Alix’s baby freeze idea seriously, despite Alix insisting it started as a joke.
  • “I did bring it up...as a joke. I took it seriously.” (02:40)

3. The Longevity of Nerves

• Val opens up about still feeling nerves on every show day, after 20 seasons:
  • “Same nerves, same feeling.” (02:49)
• Alix’s nervous excitement is palpable as she prepares for her big moment.

4. Technique, Teamwork & Encouragement

• The duo fine-tunes choreography, focusing on arm isolation and performance details:
  • “The way to isolate that is by having strong, still arms.” - Val (04:46)
  • “You don’t suck. It’s nine in the morning, you’re not warmed up, and you’re dancing.” - Val (05:03)
  • "Thanks guys, you guys are so sweet." - Alix (05:13)
• Playful banter keeps the mood light, as they joke about costumes, nerves, and dance jargon.

5. Backstage Vibes — Hair, Makeup, and the Club Motif

• Alix chats with her glam team, sharing the styling vision for their ‘Studio 54’ inspired performance:
  • “We’re doing really fun, like, green 70s vibes for today.” (06:29)
  • “We just had a few cocktails, then we're busting down on the dance floor.” (06:45)

6. Theme Night & Musical Choices

• Alix and Val break down song and dance style selection for the “One Hit Wonder” week.
  • “We don't want to be intense all the time...Mambo Number Five was just a great contrast to the really spicy Britney Spears 'Circus'...” - Val (07:59)
  • Alix shares her preference not to go first, with Val offering perspective:
    • “You’re never ready. It's never going to be ready. So stressing about how—yeah, I mean focus. Fun. Come on, come on.” - Val (08:43)
  • “There’s a reason you’re opening the show. Let that booster you go.” - Val (09:11)

7. Performing Live & Post-Performance Reflection

• Countdown to the live show captures the backstage adrenaline:
  • “30 seconds, folks. Here we go. 10 seconds...” - Val (10:09)
• Alix’s internal dialogue during performance—fighting nerves, aiming for fun, and pulling off the baby freeze.
• Post-performance, Val debriefs with encouragement:
  • “You did amazing. We're gonna keep it up. This is just the beginning.” - Val (15:22)
• Alix considers the balance of dance and real life, expressing the craziness of the schedule and yearning for downtime with friends.

8. Camaraderie & Shoutouts

• Moments appreciating the behind-the-scenes crew (“the shepherd, the Sherpa”). (15:10)
• Lighthearted complaints about lukewarm coffee as the day wraps up.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trust and Fear:
  • “Someone dropped me when I was younger doing a trust fall at recess. So now I have such a fear of them.” – Alix (02:09)
• Why Do the Baby Freeze?
  • “Baby Freeze is my go to party trick. It's like a little handstand, headstand, legs over your head.” – Alix (01:46)
  • “I've never seen a lady in stilettos pull [this move] before, but here we are. She's a trailblazer.” – Val (01:18)
• Pre-Show Nerves:
  • “I don't want to go first. I'm not ready.” – Alix (08:39)
  • “You're never ready. It's never going to be ready. So stressing about how—yeah, I mean focus. Fun. Come on, come on.” – Val (08:43)
• On Performing:
  • “You can do anything you want. You’re ready to fly. Fly. Pointing your toes and finishing your arms and having lots of energy.” – Val (11:44)
  • “That's what I'm thinking. It's one minute. It's one minute I can get these legs to fucking move, hopefully.” – Alix (13:03)
• End-of-Episode Uplift:
  • “We're gonna keep it up. This is just the beginning.” – Val (15:22)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30 – Val reassures Alix; baby freeze move origins
• 01:18–01:46 – Baby freeze explained and contextualized
• 02:09 – Alix shares her fear of trust falls
• 02:49 – Val describes show-day nerves, even after 20 seasons
• 04:34–05:13 – Technical rehearsal, encouragement from Val
• 06:29–06:45 – Backstage makeup and theming
• 07:59–08:39 – One Hit Wonder night explained, Alix’s nerves go first
• 10:09 – Live performance countdown
• 13:03 – Alix’s pre-performance pep talk
• 15:22 – Post-show debrief and encouragement

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Episode Takeaways

• This episode captures the unique blend of vulnerability and exhilaration behind live TV performances.
• Alix’s candidness about nerves, the pressure to innovate, and the desire to have fun resonate for anyone who's faced high-stakes moments.
• Val’s seasoned guidance, playful mentorship, and mutual respect shine, offering listeners both an inside look at DWTS and a heartfelt take on creative partnership.

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Transcript

[Announcer]

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[Val Chmerkovskiy]

If you even for a second feel like you don't want to do it, just let me know.

[Alex Earl]

I went in the sauna for like an hour, went out in the stretching and going back in. My legs feel so much better now.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

All right, let's go.

[Alex Earl]

I'm scared. Especially for this first part. We have to get the camera angle right or my crotch is going to be out.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And we're here, we're looking. And it'll be like dancing the jive with her partner Bow. This week is a lot of fun because we're doing the jive. And it was Alex's idea to pay homage to, I guess her fans that know her for throwing this move called the baby freeze, which is something I've never seen a lady in stilettos pulled before, but here we are. She's a trailblazer.

[Alex Earl]

Baby Freeze is my go to party trick. It's like a little handstand, headstand, legs over your head. I don't know when I started doing that, but I did.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I'm channeling my Baron Davis and I'm just yammin it on.

[Alex Earl]

Someone dropped me when I was younger doing a trust fall at recess. So now I have such a fear of them. So I was a big part of that in the beginning. But now I trust him, hopefully.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You are very courageous in a good way. I'm saying that's why you all for it. If you even for a second feel like you don't want to do it, just let me know and I will. This is easy. I will say this is your idea. So I can't.

[Alex Earl]

I don't think this was my idea.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

This wasn't your idea.

[Alex Earl]

I did bring it up, but as.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

A joke, I took it seriously. Do you still get the same kind of nerves? Yeah. On show day as like year one. 100%. Really? Yeah.

[Alex Earl]

It's so cool.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, yeah. There you go. Mambo number five. Exactly. Same nerves. I just. I guess nerves are a beginning. The continuation of that now 20th season is I have a track record. I lean on so I'm like, okay, I trust your track record is what I tell myself. But, yeah, same nerves, same feeling.

[Alex Earl]

I'm nervous.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

In your 20 years, anyone ever done what she's about to do? No. I've had some amazing partners in 20. 20 seasons, not 20 years. Incredible partners, incredible dancers, people, et cetera. Alice, there's all of that at once. Can I see you on your ones?

[Alex Earl]

Is it possible also to not get me whilst I'm crying?

[Announcer]

It's Alex O. Ladies and gentlemen, this is mambo number five. Stand my dancing vaja with her partner Vovski. It's Alex Earl. Ladies and gentlemen, this is mambo number five. Ladies and gentlemen, this is mambo number five.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Hey, hands. Elbow in elbow. Close it afterwards. There you go. See how it stays back there? Better. Even more. Your body turns without the hand. It's not going to turn. Take that with you. Cool. I mean, that looks dope.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah, that looks dope. Oh, God, yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And your face is amazing. Look at that. This whole season. This whole season is worth. Literally just. That is worth it.

[Alex Earl]

I'm going to frame that.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

The way to isolate that is by having strong still arms. If my arms are moving while my. I can't appreciate anything else.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, I see what you mean.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You know what I mean?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. I feel like we could make that part better. Nice, nice, nice.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay, let's go. You don't suck. It's nine in the morning, you're not warmed up and you're dancing like. That's it. That's it.

[Alex Earl]

Okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You don't suck from my perspective either.

[Alex Earl]

Thanks, guys. You guys are so sweet. Where are you going?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I don't know. I can't find my.

[Alex Earl]

I look bald. Seriously.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay, let me do this.

[Alex Earl]

Oh, here. This is good right here.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

No, I. My eyes are really sensitive to someone.

[Alex Earl]

Back up a little. This is worse. So, One Hit Wonders night.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What's one thing you've wondered in general?

[Alex Earl]

Sometimes I wonder if Val likes me.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Really? What do you mean? That's easy. Of course, I don't. Sometimes we'll watch our routine, we'll hear the song, and then I'll come in and I'll be like, yo, can we add a drum here? Or can we add an accent here just to amplify it? So is there a way to add a little splash? So just so you know, I'm jumping over her right after he says, ladies and gentlemen, this is rumble number five.

[Alex Earl]

So you want one on the drop too?

[Announcer]

This is rumble number five.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay. If I'm James Brown and I Go into my little James Brown split. What do we want? Horn. Give me a horn. She wants it. Do you want to press it? So she goes down on three, four, five.

[Alex Earl]

Happy show day. Just got to my trailer. So since we're going first in the show today, which is making me really nervous, we're gonna rehearse first, and then I'm gonna do hair and makeup. I' feeling a little stressed out. Just a little. I just am really nervous about falling in this baby freeze because I did fall during rehearsal yesterday, and I'm scared, like, with the nerves. I'm just gonna, like, topple over. But it's okay. We're on a floating rock. Nothing matters. It's not that deep. We're starting with makeup. This is Allison. Hello. She's making me look amazing. And we're doing really fun, like, green 70s vibes for today. Today. Because it's like we're coming out of the club. Mambo number five. We just had a few cocktails, then we're busting down on the dance floor. You look amazing. Are you wearing those for the dance?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

For the bumper. This is, like, so Studio 54.

[Alex Earl]

This is so good. I love it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Great poet of art.

[Alex Earl]

Thank you much. So, so much. I'm going to puke. So you're going to voice over this whole thing.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay.

[Alex Earl]

You say, like, get ready.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Do you want me to voice over as this guy or just bell? Okay.

[Alex Earl]

We don't need all of them.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

This is a lot of pressure.

[Alex Earl]

I know.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

All right, so I woke up. Look at me. Arms up and everything. Arms are shaved. Okay. Oh, my God. What an idiot. What do we think it looks like? I sell bananas, you know, on the black market. That's what it looks like.

[Alex Earl]

Feeling nervous.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You are feeling nervous. Until I put this. This freaking outfit on. Now I'm chilling. Yeah. Usually we go by. So the theme of the week is one hit wonder. Then we, you know, that kind of starts it. We go through a list of songs, and we try to figure out what style those songs are. A lot of times they clash. A lot of times they complement each other. And then I go by kind of the overall season, right? And, like, the flow of the season. Like, we don't want to be intense all the time. So we had an intense number. I really like to follow that up by something a little more fun, a little bit more free. So mambo number five was just a great contrast to the really spicy Britney Spears circus. So now we're doing the jive, and as you can see, it's very Different.

[Alex Earl]

Yes. I don't want to go first. I'm not ready.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You're never ready. It's never going to be ready. So stressing about how. Yeah, I mean focus. Fun. Come on, come on. Like James Bond.

[Alex Earl]

Thank you very much.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I feel like James Bond. Yeah. Okay. As long as Nissan know we're both.

[Alex Earl]

Serving great this week. Oh, that looks. I know we do. We do look like Christmas. Happy holidays.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yes.

[Alex Earl]

We've got this going. I know. Is yours heavy? It's very heavy. They look great. I need to stretch. We're going first. That's like my worst. Like, please, dear God, remember you're. There's a reason you're opening the show. Let that booster you go. Right? Yeah. Yes. Like I feel like in the first 10 seconds of the show is when you have the rush of nerves cuz it's just starting and then I'm just going to be like, oh baby, freeze and don't fall.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Can we go to the dance floor and run it down? Opening number.

[Alex Earl]

It's walk down in this. A skybox crane. We've got Alex and Val first. Jordan and Ezra, Elaine and Alan. Hey guys.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

We'Re just admiring the view. 30 seconds, folks. Here we go. 10 seconds. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. Applause.

[Announcer]

Dancing vagina with her partner, V. Ch Maykovsky. It's Alex Earl. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo number five.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Nice. Good face.

[Alex Earl]

Ah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

No one sees you. Nobody knows. Right here.

[Alex Earl]

Oh.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Next up, the actors and director. Can I give you feedback? First? Kill this drop. Look how sick we look. And you get up and it's like it's about to be special.

[Alex Earl]

Well, I'll be excited.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay. And I don't know if that's because you're like in your head about how well you did or the mistakes that you made or didn't make.45 seconds. But this is not the time for that.

[Alex Earl]

Okay. Okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And I don't want you to fake it either.

[Alex Earl]

Well, I'm going to be so happy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay. I hope I am. Okay. Okay. I just want to make sure I'm.

[Alex Earl]

Just out of breath.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Okay. Okay.

[Alex Earl]

But like come down the stairs like. Like a little more.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

This is how you come out of. I mean the truth is. Yes, you do. I'm like gesturing my bravado. You should definitely do that. Like, can it be more extravagant up top?

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Without the running.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. I'm not running down those stairs.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You know, like pretend you got diamond rings on. Yeah. It would definitely be a little more sassy. There you go.

[Alex Earl]

And then I. Baby, freeze.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Alex, it's your dance. You can do anything you want. You're ready to fly. Fly. Pointing your toes and finishing your arms and having lots of energy. What are you performing? Wait, actually, don't talk. I would say, what are you performing to? And then I said, don't tell me.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah. So excited.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

No, I can't. You know what order you're going in?

[Alex Earl]

Oh, I'm first. That's amazing. Period. It's not.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Wait, why?

[Alex Earl]

It's like, apparently no one wants to be first.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Wait, then you get it out.

[Alex Earl]

You have to get it out, otherwise.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah, right.

[Alex Earl]

Well, we're first tonight, and I'm so excited.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I cannot wait to see this. Oh, my God. I've never been to something like this.

[Alex Earl]

Wow. That's my other party trick. No one knows about the baby freeze. I've been very secretive about all my dances, but it's fun. Like, I want my friends to watch and be like. Like it's not as fun as. I tell them I'm baby freezing, so.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

They'Re gonna freak out.

[Alex Earl]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You look great.

[Alex Earl]

Thank you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Enjoy it, man.

[Alex Earl]

Having fun?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah. Just think.

[Alex Earl]

That's what I'm thinking. It's one minute. It's one minute I can get these legs to fucking move, hopefully.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And you're doing so great. You're with one of the best. Enjoy it, man.

[Alex Earl]

You. Thank you. Thank you. So do you guys. We're gonna kill it. Yep. So it's officially Dancing with the Stars week two, and we have the live show again tonight. And it's just been so crazy, honestly, the schedule of going to rehearsals and practice. So I do want to prioritize making time to hang out with my friends and do some things outside of dance just to, like, get my mind off of it. For example, this weekend I'm seeing Tate McCrary in LA with Jake, and I cannot wait. So I want to give a shout out to SeatGeek, because with over 35 million downloads, they are the number one ticketing app for festivals, concerts, events, and more. I love using the app to find shows in my area. So get your plans out of the group chat this fall and use code ALEX10 for 10 off your SeatGeek tickets. That's 10 off tickets with promo code ALEX10. Make sure you click the link in the description to download the app and have the code automatically added to your account so that you can use it later. And I want you guys to let me know what events and plans you guys are looking for on SeatGeek, because your girl's trying to make some fun plans this fall. Thank you, Seatgeek. Okay, it's almost showtime.

[Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen. This is.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Performance.

[Alex Earl]

All right, Cory.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Thank you, by the way. Let's.

[Alex Earl]

I gotta go to bed.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

We gotta get this guy on camera real quick. Oh, no, I don't. Come here.

[Alex Earl]

This is the man that makes it all happen.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, no.

[Alex Earl]

They're the sweetest guy, the Shepherd.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

He's the Alex and Val shepherd, the Sherpa. He herds us around a lot. I appreciate you.

[Alex Earl]

Get up. Go.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You did amazing. You did amazing. We're gonna keep it up. This is just the beginning. Thank you. Just the beginning. I do have to say the coffee was a little bit lukewarm. It was a little cold. It was a little cold.

[Alex Earl]

Signing off. Goodbye. See you next week.