In 2023, multiple screenshots from Alix Earle’s old ASKfm account resurfaced online, showing the influencer repeatedly using a racial slur in posts dated back to 2014. The posts, originally made when Earle was 13, circulated on Reddit and other platforms, reigniting discussions around accountability, youth behavior online, and the long-term consequences of public digital footprints.
Below are four posts from her ASKfm account that drew strong criticism:
1. Dismissing Criticism with a Racial Slur
“Take a joke n*gga”
In this post, Alix Earle brushed off a question by using a racial slur, coming across as careless and dismissive. The word she used has a deeply offensive and painful history, and it’s not acceptable in any context. Even if she was young, the post showed a clear lack of understanding about how serious and harmful that kind of language really is.
2. Using a Slur in Response to a Simple Question
“My n*gga”
Here, Earle used a racial slur in a casual, almost flippant response to a question. While some may attempt to justify the term’s use in certain cultural contexts, it remains deeply inappropriate for someone outside of those communities to use it. This post adds to the pattern of repeated use, contributing to the perception that she failed to grasp or respect the harm embedded in this type of language.
3. Questioning Someone with Offensive Language
“Umm n*gga y do u care”
This response combined a dismissive attitude with offensive language, again using a racial slur as part of a personal reply. The repeated use of this term reinforces the seriousness of the issue and underlines the inappropriate normalization of racist language. Even at a young age, this kind of response perpetuates harmful behavior and reflects a concerning disregard for the impact of racial slurs.
4. Random Use of a Slur Without Context
“N*gga”
In this post, Earle used the slur as a standalone comment following a benign quote from a song. The lack of context makes the use even more jarring and unjustifiable. It highlights how she appeared to use the term freely and without consideration of its meaning, further contributing to public backlash. Such usage, regardless of age, is harmful, offensive, and reinforces systemic issues tied to race and privilege.
Alix Earle Responded to Backlash Over Resurfaced Racial Slur Posts from ASKfm
In 2023, Alix Earle addressed public backlash after screenshots from her alleged 2014 ASKfm posts resurfaced, showing repeated use of a racial slur. The screenshots, shared on Reddit, appeared to show a user named “Alixxxxxx” — with a profile image matching Earle — responding to questions on the platform using the N-word.
ASKfm, launched in 2010, allowed users to ask and answer questions anonymously, though many used their real names and photos. The resurfaced posts quickly gained traction online, sparking controversy and criticism, especially as Earle remained silent for over two weeks.
Earle finally issued a public response via Instagram and TikTok stories. At the time, she was 23 years old and had built a large following, with nearly 4 million Instagram followers and over 7 million on TikTok. In her statement, she acknowledged the screenshots were real and attributed her past behavior to her young age.
“A couple of weeks ago, screenshots surfaced from my old ask.fm account showing me using a slur in the summer of 2014. I am taking accountability and want to make it clear that I was 13 years old and did not understand the deeply offensive meaning behind that word,” Earle said. “That is no excuse for using that word in any context or at any age. That absolutely is not the way I speak or what I stand for.”
Beyond the offensive language, many criticized her delay in responding to the controversy. Earle addressed that silence in the same statement, saying she was hesitant to speak out after receiving misguided advice.
“I regret how I handled this situation, allowing too many people to talk me out of saying something for too long,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how to handle it and unfortunately the advice I was given, although well intended, was wrong.”
Crisis communication experts weighed in at the time, agreeing that the delayed response may have worsened the public reaction. Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of Red Banyan, told Fortune that Earle needed to act quickly and show accountability.
“Alix Earle needs to own her mistakes and act fast: Apologize sincerely, show personal growth, and make it clear she’s committed to learning from this,” Nierman said. “Ignoring or downplaying the issue would only amplify the backlash and prolong the damage.”
Conclusion
Alix Earle’s old ASKfm posts sparked strong criticism for using racial slurs, even if written at age 13. Her delayed response added to the backlash. After weeks of silence, she apologized and took responsibility. The situation reminded many that past online behavior can have real consequences, especially for public figures.
