Giada De Laurentiis is embarking on a new adventure as she takes her talents from the kitchen to the dance floor. Recently announced as one of the competitors in the 35th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” the celebrated chef is excited to delve into this fresh challenge. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 2 September, and De Laurentiis joins a varied cast of actors, athletes, and other celebrities, all vying for the coveted mirrorball trophy.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/giada-de-laurentiis-dwts-2-090226-d1b384e054b24a65a8ad013b4488ac95.jpg)
The 56-year-old culinary personality has found inspiration in a personal milestone: her daughter Jade’s transition to college life. Jade, 18, is starting her first year at New York University, which has prompted De Laurentiis to push herself outside of her usual comfort zone. “I’ve been asked several times over the years, and I think that this time I said yes because my daughter basically forced me to say yes,” she admitted in a recent interview with People magazine. “The way that she is going on a new journey, it’s time for mum to also do the same.”
De Laurentiis is hopeful that Jade will come along to support her during the competition. “I hope so if I last,” she remarked, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “She goes to school in New York, so I’m hoping that if I can hang in there a few weeks, she’ll come visit me.”
As she begins rehearsals, De Laurentiis has made some surprising discoveries about her physical capabilities. “I mean, who knew that my quad muscles were so weak?” she reflected, recounting how she was greeted by a concerned security guard after a taxing rehearsal session. De Laurentiis noted that the experience has already taken a toll on her body, stating, “I didn’t realise how much pain I’m in.”
The chef, who has previously watched the show, has long understood the rigorous demands placed upon contestants. She pointed out that her friend Maria Menounos, who participated in season 14, described the experience as both rewarding and physically demanding. “This is probably why I said no over all these years,” De Laurentiis noted, “because I knew what she was going through, but she loved it.”
Menounos has provided advice to De Laurentiis, suggesting that she keep practising her dance moves outside of rehearsal hours to build her confidence and skills. However, De Laurentiis has admittedly struggled with the mental strain involved in learning choreography for the show. “What I didn’t realise beside the body is the mind, like how tired mentally I would be from learning something so foreign,” she explained. The high level of concentration required has left her feeling “like mush” after rehearsals.
On social media, De Laurentiis officially announced her participation in “Dancing with the Stars,” sharing a photo with her dance partner, Alan Bersten. The post was met with enthusiasm from her followers, including fellow food world personalities. Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, expressed her excitement in the comments, while Katie Lee Biegel cheered for De Laurentiis with a confident “Giada for the win!”
When asked about the levels of intensity in dancing compared to her profession of cooking, De Laurentiis had a revealing response. “It’s a lot rougher than I thought it would be! I figured my grandmother was a dancer, and I thought maybe I got some of those genes. Definitely not,” she said, highlighting the physical demands of the competition.
Not only is De Laurentiis preparing for the challenges of “Dancing with the Stars,” but she is also adjusting to the emotional shifts that come with her daughter’s new chapter at university. Recently, she shared a heartfelt video of Jade as she prepared to move into her dorm, capturing the bittersweet moments of seeing her child embark on this milestone. “It takes a village… my heart,” she captioned the post.
Reflecting on this transitional phase of motherhood, De Laurentiis admitted in a previous interview that it felt strange to be the mother of a college student. “It’s really exciting, but it’s also incredibly emotional,” she remarked, acknowledging the change in their relationship. “I only have one child, so I’m one and done. It’s a lot to navigate through.”
This combination of professional challenges and personal evolution promises to make this season of “Dancing with the Stars” one to watch, not just for Giada De Laurentiis but for all spectators tuning in. With the opening night just around the corner, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how she translates her culinary skills into dance moves on the ballroom floor.