“Really hard”: Alix Earle opens up about emotional reunion with NFL star Braxton Berrios during Aspen getaway

Alix Earle, an influencer and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, went to Aspen for the winter, but things got tense when she ran into her ex-boyfriend, NFL return specialist Braxton Berrios. What could have been a quiet weekend turned into an emotional moment that she later shared with millions of followers, giving them a real look at how awkward it is to see an ex after a breakup.The meeting quickly became popular online, with fans picking apart every little thing. Earle, who is known for telling stories without holding back, said the meeting was awkward and very personal. The pair, who ended their nearly two-year relationship in December, had not seen each other face to face since their split, making the reunion both unexpected and emotionally loaded.Speaking in a TikTok video, Earle explained that the first night of the Palm Tree Music Festival weekend passed without any interaction, even though they were in the same space. “We were like in the same place but we didn’t say hi to each other,” she said, noting she didn’t want to “annoy him,” despite being aware of his presence.The following night brought a brief acknowledgment, but not closure. “We briefly said hi to each other,” Earle said, describing the moment as short and heavy with emotion.Reflecting on the experience, she shared a sentiment many viewers found painfully relatable. “I did see my ex this weekend for the first time since October,” Earle said, adding that the experience was “really weird” and “really hard.”She later captured the emotional shift that often follows a breakup. “It’s weird when you go from someone being like your best friend to being a stranger in the corner of the room,” she said. “So that was tough, and by tough I mean terrible.”Earle previously confirmed the breakup in an emotional video late last year, citing the strain of long distance and a desire to focus on personal growth. “I just feel like I can’t be what Braxton needs,” she shared at the time.Since the split, both have continued their professional pursuits, though public curiosity surrounding their lives remains intense. Recent speculation about Earle’s rumored connection to Tom Brady has only fueled interest, though neither has addressed the claims.For many fans, the Aspen encounter resonated because it felt real. The viral moment showed a universal truth about relationships: sometimes the hardest goodbye is the one that stays with you long after the relationship ends.