Alix Earle’s Stepmom: The Scandal You Forgot

• TikTok superstar Alix Earle’s stepmom is Ashley Dupre, the woman at the center of the 2008 Gov. Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal.
• Earle brought her family’s history into the spotlight during a “Dancing with the Stars” performance dedicated to her half-sister, Izabel.
• Dupre, a former “call girl,” had an affair with Earle’s father, Thomas “TJ” Earle, shortly after the Spitzer scandal broke.
• Despite the tumultuous beginning, Alix Earle and her stepmom, now Ashley Earle, have forged a close public relationship.

As TikTok sensation Alix Earle graces the stage on “Dancing with the Stars,” she’s bringing more than just her dance moves into the limelight; she’s reintroducing the world to one of the biggest political scandals of the 2000s. Her stepmother is Ashley Earle, formerly known as Ashley Dupre, the woman famously connected to the downfall of former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Earle dedicated a heartfelt performance to her 12-year-old half-sister, Izabel, the daughter of her father, Thomas “TJ” Earle, and Ashley. In a TikTok, Earle described Izabel’s birth as a pivotal moment that “came into our lives at a time of separation and anger,” calling her “the second chance for our family.”

@alixearle

This dance is for my little sister Izabel. You gave our family a second chance and I love you for that. I hope I make you proud tonight on #dwts

♬ original sound – alix earle

Who is Ashley Dupre?

Long before she was Alix Earle’s stepmom, Ashley Dupre was at the center of a media firestorm. In 2008, the then-22-year-old was identified as a “call girl” working for a high-end escort service, Emperor’s Club VIP. Her most infamous client was then-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who was known to her only as a client and not by his powerful position.

The revelation that Spitzer had patronized the service led to his swift political demise. He resigned on March 12, 2008, just days after the New York Times broke the story. Dupre was granted immunity and was never charged in connection with the prostitution ring.

A Complicated Family History

The drama didn’t end there. Shortly after the Spitzer scandal, Dupre was accused of having an affair with a then-married Thomas “TJ” Earle, Alix’s father. The affair made headlines, and TJ Earle “accepted full responsibility” for his actions. Alix’s parents, Alisa and TJ, had split when she was in third grade. Speaking on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Alix revealed she was only about eight years old at the time and was naive to the full extent of the romance for years.

From Scandal to a Blended Family

Despite the rocky start, the Earle family has visibly healed. Alix’s touching tribute to her half-sister on “Dancing with the Stars” highlights the strong bond they’ve built. The family’s supportive dynamic is also evident on social media, where Ashley commented on Alix’s post, “you are our entire world,” to which Alix replied, “Love you.” This public exchange paints a picture of a family that has successfully navigated a scandalous past to find peace and connection.