Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Alix Earle Reveals Why She Was Apprehensive to Date Braxton Berrios at First: 'It Took Me So Long' Alix Earle and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Braxton Berrios began dating in 2023 By Athena Sobhan Athena Sobhan Athena Sobhan is a Digital News Writer at PEOPLE since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in POPSUGAR, EUPHORIA, Betches and Refinery29. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 17, 2024 12:59PM EDT Comments Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle. Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Alix Earle didn't immediately jump into her relationship with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Braxton Berrios. In the latest episode of Hot Mess with Alix Earle on Oct. 16, Alix spoke with her sister and co-host Ashtin Earle about dating and why being single isn't necessarily a bad thing, but important to one's personal growth. In fact, Alix revealed that she was a bit apprehensive about dating Berrios when they first met. "When I met Braxton, I literally was like, 'The last thing on earth that I want is a boyfriend,' which is why it took me so long to date him," Alix explained. "So I was like, 'I don't want a boyfriend.' I was literally like, f--- that. I'm not doing it.' " Alix and Berrios first met at a Miami party back in February 2023 but kept it friendly at the time since he had just gotten out of a two-year relationship with Sophia Culpo. They then began dating in March and teased their romance throughout the year before Alix confirmed their relationship during a November 2023 appearance on Call Her Daddy. Who Is Alix Earle's Boyfriend, Braxton Berrios? All About the Influencer's Romance with the NFL Player On her Hot Mess podcast, Alix recalled thinking that Berrios was "just so perfect" for her at the time, which is what encouraged her to give their romance a chance. However, she added that "being single isn't such a bad thing" and encouraged listeners to embrace it. Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle. Dave Benett/Getty "Being in a relationship is great, but you shouldn't be in a relationship that you don't want to be in just so you're not single," she said. Ashtin jumped in, adding, "When you're in a good relationship, it's great. But so many people are just like dating loser guys and putting up with terrible things just because they want to have a boyfriend for some sort of security." Alix also explained that people shouldn't be afraid to "leave s--- relationships," noting she would do the same if she wasn't content with her current relationship. "If I wasn't happy with Braxton and things weren't going great, I would be like, 'All right, break up, I'll be single.' That's fine." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Alix also encouraged people to not be fearful of rejection, noting a "bad rejection" experience she had before her relationship with Berrios. She explained that a guy she was dating at the time invited her to a concert, only for him to take someone else instead. Alix Earle. Jacopo Raule/Getty "I just got replaced," she recalled. "It was raining out, and I got in my car and I cried. And then I was like, 'You know what? That wasn't the person for me.' " Ashtin Earle Talks Changed Relationship with Sister Alix After Rise to Fame: 'A Lot More Real S--- Going On' "If a guy is rejecting you, then why would you want to be with him," she continued. "It's okay to be upset for a second, but, like, you should never beg anyone to want you. We have to stop being so upset at the rejection, and we just have to accept that that person does not want you and move on." Ashtin added that Alix helped "change her mindset" about being single, noting she was "so scared of being single" at one time. "Now I think being single is, like, the best thing in the entire world." Close