Giada De Laurentiis and her professional partner Alan Bersten were eliminated from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the end of Viral Hits Night. She was the third celebrity to leave the competition.
For most viewers she needs no introduction. De Laurentiis, 56, has spent more than two decades as one of the most recognisable chefs on American television. But her short run on DWTS turned out to be one of the more emotional storylines of the season’s opening weeks.
Giada De Laurentiis DWTS
Giada on DWTS: how her run went
She made her debut on the second night of the two-night premiere, when the female celebrities danced, scoring 16 out of 30.
The performance left her in tears. In a video posted the following day, she explained that she had broken down after the dance for two reasons: anxiety about her age and whether she could do it, and thoughts of her daughter Jade, who had just started her freshman year of college and had encouraged her to take the show on.
She said she had spent the whole day trying to hold it in, and that Bersten had kept telling her to go to her trailer and cry which, she pointed out, isn’t something you can do on demand. She described feeling physically and emotionally spent after weeks of preparation, and said she was relieved and happy to have got through the dance.
She was also competing with a broken toe.
A week later, on Viral Hits Night, the combined judges’ scores and viewer votes placed her and Bersten at the bottom, and they went home.
Who is Giada De Laurentiis?
She was born in Rome and moved to Los Angeles with her family at seven. She comes from a film dynasty her grandfather was the producer Dino De Laurentiis and her grandmother was an Italian film star but she chose food instead.
After studying at UCLA, she moved to Paris to train at Le Cordon Bleu. She then worked in two of Los Angeles’ most demanding kitchens: the Ritz-Carlton’s fine dining room and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.
Her break came sideways. While doing a food styling job for Food & Wine magazine, an executive at Food Network noticed her. That led to Everyday Italian, which premiered in 2002 and launched everything that followed.
Her television career
Over 21 years at Food Network, De Laurentiis hosted Everyday Italian, Giada at Home, Giada Entertains, Giada in Italy, Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Simply Giada and Giada’s Holiday Handbook. She judged and mentored on Food Network Star, and has been a longtime contributor to the Today show.
She is a Daytime Emmy winner.
In 2023 she left Food Network after 21 years, signing a multiyear overall deal with Amazon Studios to develop and executive produce unscripted programming.
Books and businesses
De Laurentiis has written 11 New York Times bestselling cookbooks, most recently Super-Italian. She founded the lifestyle brand Giadzy.
She has also built a restaurant group: GIADA and Pronto by Giada in Las Vegas, Luna and Pronto by Giada in Scottsdale, and newer concepts Sorellina and Sorella in the Chicago area.
She isn’t the first Food Network chef on DWTS
Two others came before her. Rocco DiSpirito competed in Season 7, and Paula Deen in Season 21.
Who’s still in the competition?
Thirteen celebrities remain after Giada’s exit: Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Jenna Dewan, Ezra Frech, Amber Glenn, Taylor Hanson, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles and Connor Wood.
DWTS returns Tuesday, September 29 at 8/7c on ABC for Yacht Rock Night.
FAQs About Giada De Laurentiis
Was Giada De Laurentiis eliminated from DWTS?
Yes. Giada De Laurentiis and her professional partner Alan Bersten were eliminated on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the end of Viral Hits Night. She was the third celebrity out of Season 35.
How old is Giada De Laurentiis?
She is 56.
Who was Giada’s DWTS partner?
Alan Bersten.
Why did Giada cry on Dancing With the Stars?
After her premiere performance she broke down in tears. She later explained it was down to anxiety about her age and whether she could do the dance, and thinking about her daughter Jade, who had just started college and had encouraged her to do the show.
Did Giada dance with an injury?
Yes. She competed with a broken toe.
What is Giada De Laurentiis famous for?
She is an Italian-American chef and television host, best known for Food Network shows including Everyday Italian and Giada at Home. She has written 11 New York Times bestselling cookbooks, founded the lifestyle brand Giadzy, and owns restaurants in Las Vegas, Scottsdale and the Chicago area.
Where is Giada De Laurentiis from?
She was born in Rome, Italy, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of seven.
Is Giada De Laurentiis still on Food Network?
No. She left Food Network in 2023 after 21 years and signed a multiyear deal with Amazon Studios.
Who is Giada De Laurentiis’ daughter?
Her daughter is named Jade, and she started her freshman year of college in 2026.
