Braxton Berrios Addresses Absence from Alix Earle’s DWTS Performances

Braxton Berrios has publicly defended his absence from ex-girlfriend Alix Earle’s performances on the reality show *Dancing With the Stars*, attributing his decision to NFL obligations. The 30-year-old wide receiver for the Houston Texans faced criticism after fans noted his absence during the show’s season 34, particularly as Earle competed for the title.

On December 11, 2023, Berrios took to Instagram to address the situation, sharing a series of photos of himself with the caption, “What did I miss?” Fans quickly responded, with one user commenting, “Every single performance of Alix’s.” This remark highlighted Berrios’ lack of presence in the audience supporting Earle, 24, during her time on the show.

Berrios explained that his NFL commitments made it difficult for him to attend the performances. “I would’ve been at every one if I could’ve, sadly I can’t travel like that in season,” he wrote. Despite his absence, he expressed his admiration for Earle’s dedication to her craft. In a prerecorded video, he stated, “I’ve watched you pour everything into this since the moment it has started, and I think it shows. Good luck. Have fun, babe.”

Earle and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, ultimately secured second place in the competition, with the top honor going to Robert Irwin and Witney Carson during the finale on November 25, 2023. Their relationship, however, was reportedly strained, culminating in their recent breakup after two years of dating, as confirmed by multiple sources to *Us Weekly* on December 6, 2023.

According to an insider, the couple struggled with the long-distance nature of their relationship, which played a significant role in their decision to part ways. “Majority of their relationship was long-distance and it was hard for them to navigate,” the source revealed. “They mutually agreed on the split.”

Initially linked in May 2023, Earle was hesitant to confirm their relationship publicly. Eventually, in November 2023, she acknowledged her connection with Berrios, reflecting on their anniversary with a heartfelt message on Instagram. “To the person who taught me to love wholeheartedly… happy 1 year ❣️ You have become so much more than my best friend and partner,” she wrote. “I didn’t know I was capable of this type of love and I feel like I have truly found my other half! I love you.”

Earlier in the year, Earle had shared insights into their future plans during an interview, indicating they had discussions about their aspirations together. “We always talk about our future,” she explained to *Us Weekly* in February 2023. “Right now, we’re so focused on our careers that we live in the moment and don’t rush into anything. I think that’s the cool thing about being with Braxton, is not scared of any type of future.”

Their initial meeting was described by Earle during a September 2023 appearance on the “Hot Mess” podcast. She recounted a Great Gatsby-themed party where a mutual friend encouraged her to speak with Berrios. “As we’re standing around the bar, this guy comes up to me and he’s like, ‘Oh, you should really go talk to my friend over there,’ and he points to this guy. I’m like, ‘Yeah, OK, whatever,’” she said. Earle further recalled, “I go right up to him, I shove my hand in his face and I say ‘You.’ He looks at me like I have six heads.”

The public interest in their relationship and subsequent breakup continues to resonate, particularly as both Earle and Berrios navigate their individual careers and personal lives in the spotlight.