Bethenny Frankel is coming to Alix Earle and Tom Brady's defense after they were spotted being flirty with each other on New Year's Eve. "Why aren't they allowed to do what they want to do?" Frankel, 55, shared in an Instagram video on Monday, January 5. "They're two consenting adults. He is a legendary, disciplined athlete that is respected by his entire community and everyone he's worked with. And Alix Earle is a successful influencer who is showing up on time and seems to have good, meaningful friendships." The Real Housewives of New York alum explained that even if Earle, 25, and Brady, 48, "hung out for five minutes, 30 minutes or they in five years decide to spend the rest of their lives together," people should still be able to "do what they want to do." "Now dating with my new membership community, we don't set people up [with a] 25-year difference because we don't believe that it's setting people up for alignment and we want people who want to meet their life partner right now," Frankel shared, referring to her new dating community, The Core. "Doesn't mean there aren't exceptions. There are many exceptions." Tom Brady Shares Cryptic Message After Flirty Alix Earle Video Goes Viral Frankel noted that in the case of Earle and Brady, they are "legal, consenting adults" that "come from good families." "He raises good children," Frankel added, mentioning Brady's three kids. "And everybody's not gonna get every score perfect on every choice either. By the way, life is short. I can promise you that when they're closing the box, if that's how you decide to go, you're not going to be saying I wish I did more of what everybody wanted me to do, or wore more of what everybody wanted me to wear, or said more of what everyone wanted me to say. F*** it." Frankel went on to say that "life is short" and people should "do what [they] want to do." "Live how you want to live, live with integrity and ethics, try to do the best you can and be good, and you won't always even be that, and everyone can f*** off." According to a video obtained by TMZ, Earle and Brady were spotted at a nightclub in St. Barts as they rang in the new year on Wednesday, December 31. In the clip, the pair seemed cozy, with Earle even whispering into Brady's ear at one point while placing her hand on his back. Alix Earle Rocks Naked Dress for NYE Amid Tom Brady Romance Rumors A couple days later, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that "Alix and Tom were together the entire night on New Year's Eve partying at a party hosted by Palm Tree Crew in St. Barths." "They met through mutual friends who were also in St. Barths and had an instant connection. There was a lot of chemistry between them," the source explained on Friday, January 2, noting that Earle was "really into hanging out with" Brady, but she isn't looking for "anything serious" following her split from Braxton Berrios. "It's nothing serious between her and Tom, but they were together laughing, dancing and partying, enjoying themselves." Amy Sussman/Getty Images According to the insider, Earle "needed" the post-breakup getaway and she "is in a phase of saying yes to fun experiences and not overthinking anything." Meanwhile, Brady was initially "hesitant" about being seen with Earle in public, however, he "didn't want to leave her side" the whole night. In December 2025, Us confirmed that Earle and Berrios, 30, had split after two years of dating. Gisele Bundchen Addresses Rumors She's Dating Jiu-Jitsu Instructor "Majority of their relationship was long-distance and it was hard for them to navigate," an insider told Us at the time. "They mutually agreed on the split." Brady, for his part, announced his divorce from Gisele Bündchen in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage. (The pair share son Ben, 15, and daughter Vivian, 12, together. Brady also shares son Jack, 17, with ex Bridget Moynahan while Bündchen shares another son, born in February 2025, with husband Joaquim Valente.) "We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together," Brady shared in a lengthy statement on his Instagram Story at the time. "We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way. We will continue to work together as parents to always ensure they receive the love and attention they deserve."