Giada De Laurentiis is breaking her silence after processing her elimination from Dancing With the Stars season 35 — and she has nothing but “love” for the whole experience.
“I just wanted to take a second and thank everybody for all of their support through this journey on Dancing With the Stars,” De Laurentiis, 56, said in an Instagram video shared on Wednesday, September 23. “And all the moms that shared their stories. It was really, really, really inspiring.”
The chef revealed, “I’m honored to represent women in their 50s and trying something new.”
De Laurentiis then advised her followers to “try something that scares you, because honestly guys, it is a rush.”
The cookbook author was sent packing on Tuesday, September 22’s Viral Hits Night alongside dance partner Alan Bersten after their salsa received a low score of 12 out of 30.
“I tried my best and it wasn’t best enough. But I tried my best,” De Laurentiis told viewers as she said goodbye to the ballroom.
Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten doing the salsa on ‘DWTS.’ Disney/Christopher Willard
While she had little to say following the shocking results, De Laurentiis explained on Wednesday that she was so happy for every part of her journey.
“A shout-out to Alan, he was such a loving partner. Truly,” she said in the thoughtful video. “So patient and helped me get really determined. So, it was really great.”
De Laurentiis noted that her biggest success from DWTS came by seeing how proud her daughter, Jade, was watching from college on the East Coast. (The former Food Network host shares Jade, 18, with ex-husband Todd Thompson.)
“Watching Jade watch me dance, to me, that and having her checking in with me every day, texting me how I was doing and sending support and love from the east coast, that to me was the mirror ball,” she revealed. “That was everything. It was really special and something I won’t forget.”
While her time was short on the competition series — she was cut after week two — De Laurentiis said she “met a lot of cool people and had a great time” on and off the dance floor.
Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Giada De Laurentiis, Alan Bersten, Emma Slater. Disney/Frank Micelotta
“And I pushed myself out of my comfort zone,” she continued with a big smile on her face. “I think that’s what life’s all about. So, I’ve got nothing but love. I can’t wait to root everybody on. Thanks you guys.”
De Laurentiis shared an extra message of love via the caption of her video, writing, “Thank you for all of the DMs, comments, words of support, it has meant more than you know.”
She added, “The biggest thank you to my amazing partner, @alanbersten — what a fun adventure! All my love ❤️.”
Bersten, 32, for his part, shared an Instagram video hugging De Laurentiis after the show, as his own farewell to the season.
“Thank you for everything @giadadelaurentiis,” he captioned the upload.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
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