April Ocean Drive Cover Star Alix Earle's Journey to Viral Fame

In 2022, Alix Earle (@alixearle), a senior at the University of Miami at the time, found herself living the dream of every social media personality—viral fame. While it might have seemed like an overnight success to some, for Earle, it was the result of years of consistently putting herself out there across multiple platforms. Her rise to stardom truly took off when she began engaging with her followers through her “Get Ready With Me” TikTok videos, which quickly garnered a loyal fan base. Since then, her audience has been right by her side through every milestone. From college spring break and graduation to brand trips, her first Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and beyond, Earle’s fans continue to wait with bated breath for daily updates on her life. 

“I’ve built a really special connection with my audience by taking them along every journey in my life,” she shares as we discuss the pinch-me year she’s had thus far. 

In what has been dubbed the “Alix Earle Effect”—aka instantly selling out any product she posts—Earle has been able to translate her social media presence into some of the most impressive career moves in a short amount of time. Just recently, Earle was spotted in four Super Bowl commercials—one of which she starred as the lead blonde bombshell, remaking the iconic Carl’s Jr. commercial—and another with prebiotic soda Poppi. For the latter, she brought her friends along for the ride, which, if you’re familiar with her, is not a surprising move. 

“Shooting this commercial for Poppi was amazing. We shot it in October, not knowing what it was or that it’d be used in the Super Bowl,” she says. “I went with all my friends in L.A., and we had so much fun. Finding out it’d be in the Super Bowl was surreal—and it was even cooler that I got to share this moment with my friends.”

Continuing the momentum, Earle is next making a splash in the alcohol industry, where she has invested in SipMARGS sparkling margarita canned cocktails alongside Palm Tree Crew. Joining as an investor and brand partner, she’ll be helping amplify the brand’s presence through her social channels, as well as collaborating on creative campaigns and marketing ideas. 

“I was looking to invest in an alcoholic beverage for a while, and nothing felt right to me until SipMARGS,” she recalls. “I had tried so many canned cocktails over the years and this was the first one where I had no notes. I didn’t want to change anything. I love the taste, I love the way it makes me feel and I love the packaging. For me, the biggest thing with a canned cocktail is sometimes they’re too sugary or I feel disgusting and bloated after. This didn’t have that, and I didn’t have to push this to my friends or anyone asking about it. People naturally drank it and loved it. It’s been able to stand for itself, and that’s a testament to how great the product is.” 

Joining forces with Palm Tree Crew for the investment has significantly amplified the relaunch of SipMARGS. “Palm Tree Crew has experience in this sector, and they bring both the reach and accessibility that I’m still learning about,” Earle shares. “A lot of it comes down to networking, getting it into the right places and getting it to the right people. They’re definitely great at leading that side of things.”

Teasing the project to her fans on TikTok, Earle added, “When I commit to something, I give it my 110% effort and trust.” With her devoted following behind her, it’s clear that SipMARGS is poised to make a splash upon its relaunch.

“I’ve built a really special connection with my audience by taking them along every journey in my life.” –Alix Earle

However, Earle’s superstar status has not changed her priorities. She still maintains a group of tight-knit friends from high school and college, as well as her sister, Ashtin, who has joined her in many projects. 

“It’s been really cool to see her find her niche,” says Earle on her sister’s emergence in the social media limelight. “I think at first she felt pressured to hop on social media and follow in my path, and she was very adamant about not wanting to do that. She wanted to pave her own way and she’s done such a good job at that. I think she feels much more comfortable online now, and has her own presence and personality.” 

Getting to work with Ashtin is a major perk for Earle. When talking to her, it’s clear that she values family and friendships above all else. And when able to combine the two, it’s a win-win. Her fans not only love her for her fabulous jet-setting adventures, glamorous ensembles and picture-perfect glam looks, but even more so for her ability to champion those around her and pay back where she came from. She feels passionately about using her platform to bring about change and action while providing others with opportunities she feels so blessed to have. 

“I think that as success comes your way, it’s always important to remember where that comes from and to give back. That has been a huge part of my brand,” she says. 

A major accomplishment for Earle was creating the Alix Earle Scholarship upon graduating from the University of Miami. 

“This was and still is one of the most incredible moments of my career,” she says. “We’re going back now for the second round of scholars who are about to graduate. So we’ll have two more students for the next two years, which will be amazing.”

Additionally, she’s launched a philanthropic passion project cheekily coined Meals in Heels in Miami. Founded with the goal of giving back to the Miami community, this recurring event series brings together friends and fellow influencers to volunteer their time, preparing and packaging meals for underserved populations. However, she’s giving it her own Alix Earle spin by wearing heels to every event and encouraging others to do the same. For Earle, it’s about creating an environment where generosity and collaboration flourish, while still looking stylish and having fun.

“Giving back has always been something that’s important to me, and having this platform and the accessibility and reach I do is obviously not normal, so I want to do something good with it,” she shares. “When thinking about how to give back, I wanted to do something local because Miami has been so good to me. It’s been my home for six years now. I partnered with the Caesar-Iglesias Family Foundation, and Major Food Group has provided their kitchens to us. The first event was pretty small, just my girlfriends and me, but the next time, we tested it out to a bigger group and got a great turnout. And I decided I wanted to dress up for this and make it a little event. I was joking around saying, ‘I’m making meals in my heels,’ and the name kind of just stuck.”

Now, Earle aims to put on an event bimonthly, as it’s grown in popularity. They’ve been able to increase the number of meals created for those in the local community every time. 

“I’d love to say I don’t read negative comments. But I do read them and I engage with a lot of them.” –Alix Earle

“It’s come to be such a nice night for a few hours where you’re able to do something to give back and connect with the community and friends. I’ve gotten to meet new people through it, and everyone is able to connect and recharge while doing something impactful,” she says. “The first time we were able to expand the event beyond my immediate friends was really rewarding, and talking to the Caesar-Iglesias Foundation team and seeing how much this means to them and their families involved has been so special. They’re so sweet and down to earth, and it’s been amazing to help bring their vision to life and blow it up on a bigger scale. It’s something I’ve loved being a part of.” 

Seeing Earle’s energy and work ethic firsthand is impressive. Her ability to juggle these incredible challenges, opportunities and milestones, without losing who she is, is a testament to both herself and the people she surrounds herself with. 

“The people closest to me—my friends, family and boyfriend [Braxton Berrios]—will always come first before anything. That’s a nonnegotiable for me,” she asserts. “Over the past two years, I’ve found Miami to be a little bit more of a safe space for me, and I feel grounded and centered when I’m here.” 

“I’d love to say that I don’t read any negative comments,” she admits when asked about how she navigates the craziness that comes with having an online presence. “But I do read them and I engage with a lot of them. For me, I have no problem with comments that are constructive criticism, but I have no time for haters. And I can handle the hate on myself; I’ve developed pretty thick skin in this role I’m in. But if you come for someone I love, that’s when I’ll get heated.” 

Despite the challenges that come with online scrutiny, Earle remains focused on her core values and the relationship she’s built with her followers. 

“I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” she continues. “But for me, focusing on my audience and the relationship I have with them has been the most important thing, and a testament to my success is keeping them at the forefront of all my decisions. I always follow my gut, and that has been massive for me. I’ve learned to trust myself, believe in myself, and that has been really big for me.” 

For now, Earle is focused on staying loyal to herself and her audience and making sure to take them along on the wild ride that is her life. 

“If you ask me what my schedule is like a week out from now, I don’t know. I often get asked how I have the energy to do everything, and I guess, for me, it’s all just exciting that it’s hard to pass up on,” she says. “I’m so grateful for every opportunity I get. So, I just make it work—and I’ll sleep when there is time to sleep!”

Alix Up Close

Something people may not know about you 

I love my downtime. People think I only like to go out and party! 

Something you do to unwind 

I love cooking. Braxton and I have a cookbook that we’re adding our favorite recipes to. 

Favorite shopping destination 

Miami Design District

Favorite healthy food fix 

Pura Vida

Best spot for a girls’ night out 

Lagniappe

Best date night spot 

Osaka—they have the best sushi. 

Best workout 

Form50

Best spa 

Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena 

Best going-out destination 

Club Space 

Favorite overall spot in Miami 

The beach at Key Biscayne. I also love to walk the [Rickenbacker Causeway] around sunset time as a way to unwind.