Alix Earle on DWTS Glam, Grounding Rituals, and Self-Care

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Alix Earlit's time”Dancing with the Stars [DWTS]This was no easy feat. It required early mornings, intense rehearsals and, of course, the pressure of performing live. Earle relied on grounding rituals, restorative routines and a close-knit support system to get through one of the most difficult chapters of her career. She developed by CHANGE REPEAT WORD [routines] it helped her stay present, confident, and connected—even despite all the outside noise.

Ahead, Earl talks to Popsugar about what helped her calm her nerves backstage, reflects on how the experience shaped her confidence, and dives into how DWTS reinforced her belief that coming out is always the best approach.

Popsugar: Your glam on Dancing with the Stars was always impeccable. What did a typical glamor schedule look like on show days?
Alix Earl: The glam started for me at 5:30 in the morning because I woke up, washed off the tanning spray, washed my hair Pantene Rich & Strong Shampoo & Conditioner ($50) then we did hair and makeup at 7am. This would vary depending on the week, but adjustments will be made right before the show at 5:00 p.m. That's a lot.

PS: How did you choose the glamorous direction each week?
AE: I was able to choose. I was browsing Pinterest and getting different inspirations and different looks. Working with the team was very, very great; they brought to life everything I saw.

PS: Has anyone else done these screenings?
AE: It was really just me, the crew and Val. There were many times when I wanted to do a certain hairstyle and he would say, “This isn’t something you can really dance with—you need to comb your hair back a little.” Val used to argue with me about the options I suggested and make them a little more danceable.

PS: Do you have a favorite hairstyle this season?
AE: I liked the one we did for Rock 'n' Roll Night. It was a ruffled bun, half up and half down in the back, with thin slices in the front. We actually cut my hair the day of the show because I really wanted wispy Pamela Anderson style bangs, but I didn't have any, so I just let Brittany, who did my hair, cut off a few strands. I ended up really enjoying it.

PS: Did you have any behind-the-scenes rituals that helped you reset before going on air?
AE: Normally, Val and I would have a moment where we would hold hands and reaffirm that we were good and wonderful and ready to go on stage. These grounding moments and a little breath work have always helped us.

PS: Was there a specific mantra you told yourself?
AE: I always said we're just floating on a rock and nothing matters, so it's okay. Whatever we do there will work and will be good because we are on a floating rock.

PS: If you had to put together an emergency cosmetic kit to survive live TV – one hair item, one makeup item and one random item – what would you choose?
AE: For hair I would use Pantene Rich & Strong Daily Scalp Serum ($24). For makeup I would use Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($29). And a shot of tequila.

PS: You express your emotions very openly on the Internet. Was it difficult to cope with strong emotions while being on live television?
AE: Through this process, I learned to simply allow my raw emotions to come out in the moment. There were a few times when I cried in front of the camera and I felt a little awkward about it at first, but I realized how much it resonated with people and brought me closer to them. I try to allow myself to feel what I really feel at the moment and not hide it.

PS: Has being on Dancing with the Stars changed the way you see yourself or your confidence in front of the camera?
AE: I think I have grown a lot as a person and matured emotionally during this time. I become a better, more confident, new and improved version of myself and lead by being real and authentic because that's how I started all of this in the first place.

PS: Has this experience revealed anything creative that you want to bring to your content in the future?
AE: I'd like to incorporate more fitness and health content into what I post every day. It was such a big part of my life at the time and people were really interested in seeing the behind the scenes part of what I did.

PS: Were there any self-care products or rituals you relied on after long rehearsal days?
AE: I've definitely always enjoyed taking an Epsom salt bath after a long day of recovery, then taking a nice shower from head to toe and making sure you feel good and everything is taken care of. Nightly self-care has always been a great reset for me.

PS: You had such a strong support system that encouraged you. How did having people around you impact this experience?
AE: Having everyone come out and support me was overwhelming. Especially my friends and family – in moments when I doubted myself or when I thought I couldn't do it or wasn't good enough to be there, they were always there, cheering me on. Having this support system around me gave me the confidence to keep going and believe in myself, which is so important in times of doubt.

PS: What did Dancing with the Stars teach you that you want to take into the future?
AE: That you can do anything if you put your mind to it. It inspired me to try things that I never thought I would be good at if I actually dedicated my time to them.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Rene Rodriguez (she/her) is a senior staff writer and social producer at PS. She writes in all areas, but her main areas of expertise are fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editorial experimentation. She also produces social content for PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.