Alex was born and raised in Washington D.C. to father Carl Wagner and mother Tin Swe Thant. When she was a teenager, they enrolled her at Woodrow Wilson High School, and she later moved on to Brown University.

According to TV Over Mind, Carl is considered a well-respected advisor and strategist who’s worked with the Democratic Party over the years. He is well-known in his field after working for the likes of Senator Ed Kennedy and former President Bill Clinton. Alex is incredibly close with her mother, who she posts about frequently on Instagram.

On Mother’s Day in 2021, Alex posted a thread with Tin and added a caption that said, “Growing up, my mom was always saying, 'Alex, I’m not your friend, I’m your MOTHER.' But now that I’m an adult, the jokes on you, mom — cause it turns out we’re friends! God, my mom is the best, craziest, [and] most paranoid about ticks, lightning storms, and jellyfish.

"But still the most wildly fun — and my only regret is that she’s not on Instagram (okay, she is, but not really) to critique this selection of photos and insist that she’s (still) really not my friend but loves me all the same.” The pictures Alex chose to add to the thread showcase just how tight-knit her bond with her mother is.