Earle and Higgins Discussed Dancing With the Stars

The television personalities reflected on their experiences competing in the hit ballroom dance reality series.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Dancing

Bold vector editorial illustration of worn ballroom dance shoes on a wooden floor, representing the pressure of reality television competition. — Alix Earle and Maura Higgins discussed the emotional and physical intensity of their experiences competing on the television series Dancing With the Stars. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe reality competition shows are generally a positive experience for the participants involved?

Alix Earle and Maura Higgins shared behind-the-scenes insights into their time on Dancing With the Stars during an episode of the series Get Real With Me. The two discussed the intensity of the competition as they balance rigorous training with near-constant camera exposure.

Why it matters

Reality competition shows demand significant emotional and physical labor from participants, who must perform under consistent scrutiny. Understanding these pressures offers fans context for the challenges faced by stars navigating public performance.

Participants in the competition remain under constant observation, with cameras recording their activities 24 hours a day. Maura Higgins and her partner Mark Ballas have completed 4 weeks of the Season 35 competition.

The players

Alix Earle

She is a social media personality who gained prominence as a content creator and model.

Maura Higgins

She is a television personality and model who first gained widespread recognition through international reality programming.

Val Chmerkovskiy

He is a professional dancer and long-time cast member of the Dancing With the Stars series.

Mark Ballas

He is a two-time champion professional dancer and choreographer known for his tenure on the dance competition show.

The details

Alix Earle, who finished in second place during Season 34 alongside partner Val Chmerkovskiy, shared her experience with the grueling nature of the show. Maura Higgins, currently competing in Season 35 with Mark Ballas, noted her expectation that routines will become increasingly technical in future weeks.

Alix Earle made her debut for SI Swimsuit in 2024.
Alix Earle participated in an SI Swimsuit shoot in 2025.
Maura Higgins joined the SI Swimsuit Runway Show in summer 2026.
Alix Earle appeared on the SI Swimsuit cover in 2026.
The pair discussed their reality show experiences on October 7, 2026.

Culture Shift

The transition of social media personalities into competitive reality television highlights a growing integration between digital influence and traditional media prestige. This shift signals a departure from legacy casting models, favoring individuals with built-in, highly engaged audiences.

Viewers watching the competition can better understand the immense time commitment required for training and the daily pressure of constant filming. This perspective may change how fans interpret the performances and feedback provided during each weekly broadcast.

The takeaway

Competing in professional dance shows requires a high degree of commitment that extends far beyond the time spent on stage. Audiences watching these programs can appreciate the intensity by observing the evolution of techniques throughout the multi-week season.