Giada De Laurentiis brought star power from the kitchen to the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars season 35. One of America’s best-known celebrity chefs, she traded her Food Network studio for rehearsals with Alan Bersten, and her casting was one of the season’s biggest surprises. Though her ballroom run was short, ending as the third celebrity eliminated on September 22, 2026, her performances showed enthusiasm, glamour and a willingness to step far outside her comfort zone.
| Full Name | Giada Pamela De Laurentiis |
| Known For | Everyday Italian; Dancing with the Stars season 35 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 56 |
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1970 |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Occupation | Chef, television host and author |
| Dancing with the Stars partner | Alan Bersten |
Who Is Giada De Laurentiis?
Giada De Laurentiis is an Italian-American chef, television host and author best known for her Food Network programs Everyday Italian and Giada at Home. She has hosted numerous cooking shows, written bestselling cookbooks and opened restaurants, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in American food television. Born in Rome into a film family, she trained as a chef in Paris and Los Angeles before moving into television. Her Dancing with the Stars casting in 2026 introduced her to a new audience in a very different kind of competition.
Early Life & Background
Giada De Laurentiis was born in Rome, Italy, on August 22, 1970, into a family involved in film production; her grandfather was the producer Dino De Laurentiis. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child. She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, then trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, working in restaurants in France and Los Angeles before her television career began. That classical training, combined with her Italian heritage, shaped the accessible Italian cooking style that made her famous.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Journey
De Laurentiis joined Dancing with the Stars season 35, which premiered on ABC and Disney+ on September 15, 2026, partnered with Alan Bersten. She opened the season with a cha-cha and followed it with a second routine the next night, showing charm and performance flair but struggling with the technical demands of ballroom. She was eliminated third, on September 22, 2026, after the season’s early double-header weeks. Her short run was praised for its spirit, and she left the show with warm words for Bersten and her fellow contestants.
Career
De Laurentiis’s career began in professional kitchens, including work at Spago in Beverly Hills, before Food Network gave her Everyday Italian in 2003. The show’s success led to Giada at Home, Giada’s Weekend Getaways, Giada in Italy and many other programs, along with cookbooks and restaurant ventures in Las Vegas. She has won Daytime Emmy Awards for her television work and has become a leading ambassador for Italian cooking in the United States. Her Dancing with the Stars appearance was a rare detour from the kitchen, and it showed a different side of a chef usually seen at a stove.
Facts About Giada De Laurentiis
- Giada De Laurentiis was born in Rome, Italy, on August 22, 1970.
- She trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
- She hosted Everyday Italian on Food Network from 2003.
- Her grandfather was film producer Dino De Laurentiis.
- On Dancing with the Stars season 35 she was partnered with Alan Bersten.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Giada De Laurentiis?
Giada De Laurentiis is 56 years old as of 2026. She was born on August 22, 1970.
How tall is Giada De Laurentiis?
Giada De Laurentiis is 5 feet 3 inches tall (1.60 m).
Where was Giada De Laurentiis born?
Giada De Laurentiis was born in Rome, Italy.
Who was Giada De Laurentiis partnered with on Dancing with the Stars?
Giada De Laurentiis was partnered with Alan Bersten on Dancing with the Stars season 35.
When was Giada De Laurentiis eliminated from Dancing with the Stars?
Giada De Laurentiis was eliminated third from Dancing with the Stars season 35, on September 22, 2026.
See the full Dancing with the Stars 2026 Cast hub.