In what is so far the most random celebrity pairing of 2026 so far, 25-year-old influencer Alix Earle was spotted with 48-year-old former NFL star-turned-cringe NFL commentator Tom Brady at a New Year’s Eve party in St. Barts. While the 23-year age gap is notable, it’s still less than half the age gap between Brady’s former coach and football daddy, Bill Belichick, whose nearly 50-year age gap with his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, was the subject of plenty of headlines and eye rolls throughout 2025. So maybe Brady is just following in dad’s footsteps. Just kidding.
Earle was previously dating NFL wide receiver Braxton Berrios for about two years, but they broke up in December. She said in a TikTok that the split was mutual, that they’d barely seen each other, and that she’s considering a move to Los Angeles—though she still considers him her best friend. Berrios was briefly teammates with Brady on the New England Patriots in 2018, if that’s the kind of information that’s interesting to you.
While Earle was breaking up with her ex, Brady was sad-boy-posting about his. Right before Christmas, People reported that Gisele Bündchen got married to her jiu-jitsu instructor in early December. Brady seemingly reacted by partaking in one of his favorite activities: posting cryptic Instagrams. The day after the news broke, he shared a selfie to his Story wearing a hoodie that says “Forever Young” with the Logic song “1-800-273-8255″—which is the former Suicide Prevention Lifeline number; in the chorus, Logic sings, “I don’t wanna be alive, I don’t wanna be alive.” Brady captioned it with “Yuppppppp” alongside a ???? emoji. Seriously, run while you can, Earle.
But maybe, maybe, Brady wasn’t flirting at all. Maybe he was just asking Earle for some posting tips, and Earle was happy to share her social media insight with this sad dad to save us all from another year of embarrassing Brady Instagrams about his ex-wife and her new relationship.
Though on New Year’s Day, Brady posted a drawing of two monks holding hands that read, “People are not beautiful for how they look or speak. They’re beautiful for how they love, care and treat others,” with three read hearts. So…maybe not. But at least it’s not emo for once.
- Speaking of Jordon Hudson and Bill Bellick! [People]
- Este Haim got married on New Year’s Eve, and Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks were there. [Page Six]
- Will Smith has been sued for sexual harassment. [Variety]
- The Beckham family feud continues into 2026. [Daily Mail]
