TikTok sensation Alix Earle has publicly revealed her preference for dating older men, a disclosure that fans are widely interpreting as a subtle acknowledgement of her heavily rumored romance with NFL legend Tom Brady.
On the May 21, 2026, episode of her popular YouTube series Get Real with Me, the 25-year-old lifestyle influencer discussed her love life and candidly explained why dating within her own age range is completely off the table.
Her eye-opening remarks arrive just a few months after multiple high-profile sightings linked her to the 48-year-old former quarterback, igniting widespread internet speculation regarding their 23-year age gap.
During the YouTube broadcast, Earle sat down with fellow digital creator Quenlin Blackwell to break down the complexities of modern dating as twenty-somethings.
Blackwell, also 25, opened the dialogue by admitting that she strictly avoids dating guys her own age because she values the emotional maturity that typically accompanies older partners.
Earle emphatically agreed, choosing to open up about a recent romantic experiment that failed to meet her expectations. “I went on a date with a guy who was a year older than me.
I can’t do it again,” Earle confessed. She firmly doubled down on the statement, declaring that a romance with someone in that age bracket is “never happening” again.
When Blackwell asked if the experience felt like she was “mothering” her date, Earle offered a direct look into what she seeks in a partner. “It didn’t feel like I was with, like, a man,” Earle stated, explaining that she inherently desires “someone to take care of” her.
The Miami-based entrepreneur further detailed her perfect dynamic, explicitly stating that she actively looks for “someone who knows their s***”.
However, Earle lightheartedly acknowledged that her inclination toward advanced maturity has occasionally swung too far in the opposite direction.
“Sometimes then I’ve gone too far the other end, and I’m like, ‘Grandpa!'” she joked, drawing laughs from Blackwell as they commiserated over feeling too mature for the standard millennial and Gen-Z dating pools.
The Tom Brady Timeline: St. Barths to the Super Bowl
While Earle refrained from mentioning any past flames by name during the podcast, pop culture enthusiasts immediately connected her “grandpa” joke and older-man preference to her verified history with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
The unexpected pairing first crossed paths in June 2025 while attending the lavish Venetian wedding weekend of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez.
However, romantic rumors did not officially catch fire until months later. On New Year’s Eve, the duo was spotted engaging in clear PDA at an exclusive yacht party hosted by Palm Tree Crew in St. Barths.
Onlookers at the time noted an instant connection, reporting that the two spent a significant portion of the evening talking privately.
The public intrigue surrounding the pair intensified through early 2026:
- January 2026: Both Earle and Brady were spotted attending the College Football National Championship in Miami, with insiders confirming they remained in frequent contact via text.
- February 2026: The rumored romance hit its peak during Super Bowl weekend. Witnesses observed the pair looking highly affectionate at a VIP afterparty, and a report from PEOPLE Magazine published on February 9 verified that the age-gap pair were officially “hooking up”.
Despite the intense public curiosity, sources close to the athletes and media personalities indicated that the arrangement remained casual.
Brady, who has kept a relatively low profile regarding his personal life following his 2022 divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen, was reportedly hesitant about a highly publicized relationship, while Earle was not looking for an immediate serious commitment.
Navigating Life After Braxton Berrios
Earle’s recent dating reflections come on the heels of a transitional period in her personal and professional life. In December 2025, Earle and Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Berrios officially ended their two-year relationship.
Earle later posted an emotional video to her social media accounts confirming the split, explicitly clarifying that the breakup was entirely mutual and primary driven by “distance-induced” logistical strains, as she is heavily rooted in Los Angeles and Miami while Berrios operates out of Texas.
Following the split from Berrios, Earle briefly stepped back to focus on major business milestones, including the March 2026 launch of her skincare brand, Reale Actives, and filming her upcoming Netflix reality docuseries.
By April 2026, she candidly documented her nerves on TikTok about re-entering the dating scene, which included a mystery date that left her feeling eager to adjust her approach to romance.
Though fans recently observed Earle and Berrios crossing paths amiably at the Miami Grand Prix, her latest comments indicate that her sights are set on an entirely different demographic.
With Brady currently transitioning into a high-profile sports broadcasting career and exploring modeling spaces, and Earle cementing her status as a mainstream entertainment mogul, their paths continue to captivate the public.
Whether the rumored flame between Earle and the legendary quarterback will reignite remains to be seen, but Earle has made one reality abundantly clear: she is done dating boys her own age.