Giada De Laurentiis Was Eliminated From Dancing With Stars
The celebrity chef exited the ballroom competition after a salsa performance failed to impress judges.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Food and Drink
Giada De Laurentiis and her professional dance partner Alan Bersten were eliminated from the competition on September 22, 2026. The duo bowed out after earning 12 points for their routine during the show's Viral Hits Night.
Why it matters
De Laurentiis entered the competition to demonstrate to her daughter the importance of confronting personal fears. Her appearance marked a shift from her culinary roots on the Food Network to the world of live performance.
The chef received a total of 12 points for her salsa routine. This performance follows her long-standing career as an Emmy-winning host.
The players
Giada De Laurentiis
She is an Emmy-winning lifestyle host and chef who studied anthropology at UCLA.
Alan Bersten
He is a professional dancer who partnered with De Laurentiis during the competition.
Shane Farley
He is a four-time Emmy Award-winning producer who has been dating De Laurentiis since 2015.
Todd Thompson
He was married to De Laurentiis for 11 years between 2003 and 2014.
The details
De Laurentiis, who previously trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked at restaurants like Spago, struggled to transition her skills to the dance floor. She was joined in the ballroom by professional dancer Alan Bersten during the show's themed episode.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Giada De Laurentiis was eliminated from Dancing With The Stars.
2002: Food Network launched the series Everyday Italian.
2003: Giada De Laurentiis married Todd Thompson.
2014: De Laurentiis and Thompson finalized their divorce.
2015: De Laurentiis began a relationship with Shane Farley.
Industry Dynamics
This elimination highlights the broader trend of lifestyle personalities and celebrity chefs testing their appeal in high-stakes reality television formats. It underscores the challenges faced by stars when pivoting from established professional careers to the competitive, performance-based environment of ballroom dance.
Fans will no longer see De Laurentiis on upcoming episodes of the competition show. The elimination dictates the ongoing programming schedule for the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
De Laurentiis demonstrates that even established public figures face hurdles when stepping outside their professional comfort zones. Her journey serves as a reminder that taking risks in front of a national audience carries the possibility of a swift exit.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of culinary personalities and media, explore Food and Drink.
