Tom Brady Sparks Romance Buzz After Ringing in the New Year with a 'DWTS' Alum

Whispers, slow dancing, and a touch that lingered just a little too long. This one lavish New Year's celebration in St. Barts may have sparked 2026's first celebrity romance rumor, and the internet is already having a field day.

On January 1, 2026, retired football legend Tom Brady and influencer-turned-reality star Alix Earle were spotted celebrating the new year side by side, dancing closely and sharing a rather intimate moment.

As romance rumors took off, fan reactions poured in, with many pointing out how similar Earle looks to someone from Brady's past.

Whispering, Touching, and Getting Closer

In clips obtained by TMZ, Earle can be seen approaching Brady, leaning in to whisper something in his ear as she gently touches his back. Her hand lingers long enough to spark whispers.

Just moments later, Brady returns the gesture, placing his hand on the small of her back and pulling her slightly closer.

Though Gen Z audiences already know Earle as a social media personality, many others recognize her from "Dancing with the Stars," where she made it to the finals alongside professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy. The two lost out to Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, but Earle's popularity only grew.

Another video from the same party shows Brady and Earle dancing side by side to a slow EDM beat. But the second that really sent fans into a frenzy was when Earle gave Brady a seemingly flirtatious glance, prompting him to lean in closer.

Yacht Shots and One Absentee

Days after the party, Earle shared a carousel of photos and videos to Instagram, documenting her New Year's escape, but not a single shot of Brady made the cut.

She posed in bikinis, danced at clubs, and relaxed on a luxury yacht with her girlfriends. In one video, four people were seen playing pickleball on board, and the final slide showed a group photo featuring actors Glen Powell and Miles Teller. But Brady was noticeably absent.

Her caption was even carefully worded and just vague enough to stoke the flames:

"Rumor has it we're still dancing 🕺🕺 new friends, new memories, and new beginnings to start off the new year :) words can't describe how amazing this trip was, so grateful to @bgarlinghouse & @taragarlinghouse for hosting us & @managermyles for throwing the best nye party EVER!!!"

A Familiar Face from Brady's Past?

As the videos and posts gained traction, many began pointing out what they saw as an undeniable resemblance between Earle and Brady's ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen.

"Looks like Giselle," one person wrote. Another added, "He certainly has a type." A third chimed in, "Giselle is still more beautiful and natural, no shade."

Others were much harsher. "Physically she's a low-end dupe of Gisele. He's reminiscing……" one commenter said. Another wrote, "What woman wouldn't want to date Tom Brady? He definetly has a type, she looks like Giselle."

Beyond appearances, the couple's age difference also became a hot topic. Brady is 48. Earle is 25, and her own father, Thomas "TJ" Earle, is 50.

"He's twice her age... but what do I know? 👧🏽," one comment read. Another scolded, "Come on Tom. She could be your daughter. Be better." A third simply said, "He's quite literally her dad's age 😖."

Fresh Starts, Old Flames

Regardless of all the speculation or any opinions, both appear to be entering 2026 newly single.

Earle recently ended a two-year relationship with NFL player Braxton Berrios. Tom Brady had a reportedly on-and-off relationship with Irina Shayk, which now seems to be off for good.

Bündchen, meanwhile, has long moved on. She married Joaquim Valente in December 2025 after welcoming a baby boy in February. But even more exciting: months later, the supermodel showed off her amazing body after giving birth by stepping straight back into the spotlight with a daring campaign for luxury label Elisabetta Franchi.

The 45-year-old proved she hasn't lost an ounce of her runway magic, posing in leather-on-leather looks that left fans reeling. On August 27, the Italian fashion house unveiled the glossy campaign, shot in sultry Miami, with Bündchen herself sharing sizzling photos on Instagram.

"Shooting the new @elisabettafranchi campaign in a leather jacket, high boots, and gloves in the middle of Miami summer. Now that's what I call hot!" Bündchen wrote, adding thanks to photographers Luigi and Iango for turning "the heat into fun."

Leather, Lace, and a Daring Flash of Skin

The high-fashion spot sees Bündchen flaunting her post-baby body in barely-there ensembles. In one stunning picture, the fashion legend stuns in a leather jacket — braless, skipping pants in favor of embellished underwear worn over black tights.

One striking shot shows her seated beside a pool, sporting thigh-high leather boots with a bohemian long-sleeved minidress, looking unapologetically bold. Gisele Bündchen traded her usual tousled, beachy waves for a sleek, slicked-back style, pairing it with a bold red lip that amped up the drama of the campaign.

'How Does She Look Like This???' Fans Left in Awe

Social media quickly caught fire with admiration and disbelief. One fan, clearly stunned by her post-baby glow, gasped, "Wait, didn't you just have a baby?" Another couldn't hide their disbelief, writing, "HOW does she look like this??? She's HAD 3 CHILDREN!!💗👍💯🎯♥️🌺."

Someone else praised her fitness, "She looks 🔥 [expletive] after giving birth to her 3rd baby 🔥🔥👏." And admiration kept pouring in, with one admirer cheering, "Wow, you rock 👏always 🔥stunning 🤩."