Giada De Laurentiis Makes Emotional ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Debut and More Headlines
Giada De Laurentiis has been making waves in United States news, from her emotional debut on Dancing With the Stars to calling out Mario Batali and sharing kitchen tips. The Food Network star, 53, opened up exclusively to Us after her first live performance on Wednesday, September 16, admitting she was overwhelmed by the experience. “I think it’s the scores, but I think it’s also just, like, all the anxiety and the self-doubt and all that stuff that kind of comes up, you know,” she said. De Laurentiis also noted the pressure of dancing alongside “beautiful young girls,” adding a relatable layer to her reality TV journey. Her vulnerability resonated with fans, who praised her for being authentic.nnIn other news, De Laurentiis made headlines in August 2025 when she called out fellow chef Mario Batali for degrading her body in a cookbook foreword. “When I read it, I cried,” she revealed, shedding light on past mistreatment in the industry. The revelation sparked conversations about sexism and body shaming in the culinary world. Meanwhile, she continues to surprise fans with her culinary creations. In December 2024, she shocked followers with a bizarre pasta dish that many deemed “a bridge too far.” The unconventional recipe, which she shared on social media, had commenters joking, “Is this dish an im-pasta?” Despite the mixed reactions, De Laurentiis remains a bold and influential voice in food.nnOn a personal note, De Laurentiis has been co-parenting amicably with ex-husband Todd Thompson. The former couple, who split in 2014, reunited in July 2024 to watch their 16-year-old daughter, Jade, perform at theater camp. De Laurentiis has been open about Jade’s passion for performing, and in December 2025, she shared a major life update from her lookalike teen. “I’m actually so scared,” Jade admitted, as she navigated her next steps. De Laurentiis also recently revealed her top three things to look for when buying olive oil, proving she’s still a trusted authority in the kitchen.n
Shimanta Das 
