Alix Earle and her sister Ashtin Earle tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation on the new Netflix series Earle Meets World, months after their mother, Alisa Maniaci, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Alix, 25, and Ashtin, 23, decided to get tested for the inherited mutation following their mother's diagnosis, according to the show. BRCA2 mutations raise a person's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer and can be passed down from a parent to a child. The gene drew widespread public attention after actress Angelina Jolie revealed in 2013 that she carried a related mutation, BRCA1, and underwent preventive surgery.
"Of course, we wanna hope for the best," Alix said in a confessional on the show, "but you can't help but fear for the worst."
Genetic counselor delivers the results
Before learning the results, Alix, Ashtin and their mother sat down with genetic counselor Pankti Doshi, who explained how she planned to share the news. "My whole thing is to just rip the Band-Aid and get the results out," Doshi said, before telling the sisters, "You both did test positive for the genetic change in BRCA2."
Hearing the outcome, Maniaci apologized to her daughters, believing she had passed the gene down to them. "No, don't say sorry," Alix told her mother, while Ashtin reassured her, "It's OK," as the three grew tearful. Alix also told Doshi, "I'm fine. I've just been having a bad week anyway. It is fine, I'm sorry."
Alix then turned to comfort her younger sister. "At least we're in it together, and at least we know," she told Ashtin. "And it's such a privilege to be able to know and to have each other's back."
Maniaci reassured both daughters despite the news. "Nothing's happening to either of you, nor me," she said. "Listen, we're all gonna be strong. We're all gonna be fine. We all know that we can be on top of it now."
Why the family let cameras capture the moment
Alix, Ashtin and Maniaci spoke about including the emotional scene in the series at the premiere of Earle Meets World on September 1. Alix told E! News correspondent Erin Lim Rhodes that she barely registered the cameras while receiving her results. "I didn't really think much about the cameras," she said, "because we were so focused on each other and just being there and supporting each other."
"It's a really powerful story and I'm happy that we captured it," Alix continued. "It's unfortunate when things happen in life that aren't the best, especially with health, but we had cameras up for all of this. And that's sort of the whole show, we just kept everything going as things were naturally happening in our lives, and these few months happened to just be like a wild ride. But I'm really excited for it to be out there."
About Earle Meets World
Alix Earle built a large following as a content creator known for her lifestyle and beauty videos before starring in Earle Meets World, a Netflix series following her and her family. Alongside the genetic testing storyline, the show has also drawn attention for depicting relationship rumors and feud speculation involving the family.
Earle Meets World is streaming now on Netflix.
