Giada De Laurentiis Reveals Painful Injury Ahead of ‘DWTS’ Season 35 Premiere

Giada De Laurentiis is learning the hard way just how difficult the Dancing With the Stars process can be.

The former Food Network star will compete with pro partner Alan Bersten on Season 35 of the ABC series, which returns next week. In a Sunday, September 6, Instagram post, De Laurentiis revealed that she recently experienced a painful rite of passage for contestants on the show: a foot injury.

“So, I had a great day at rehearsals today. But sadly, I busted my toe. Take a look. There’s my toe,” De Laurentiis said in the clip while showing off her bruised toe. “So, you can see, it’s quite purple, and it wraps all the way around. I’m for sure gonna lose my toenail, I think.”

She added, “Anyway, I don’t know. It hurts, but we’ll figure it out tomorrow. Part of the game!” In the post’s caption, De Laurentiis wrote, “You know what they say… no pain, no gain.”

Fans reacted to De Laurentiis’ early injury in the post’s comments. “Get used to it lol! I’ve been taking ballroom dance lessons for over four years and I barely have any toe nails left,” one user noted. Another added, “Stay with it I broke three toes on one foot and walked every day Different when dancing I know it’s tough!!! Wanna see you win this thing!!”

 

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A post shared by Giada DeLaurentiis (@giadadelaurentiis)

Someone else shared, “Ouch! hope it all heals well soon! can’t wait to see what you guys have been working on in rehearsals!” A different person posted, “I know you’re probably work through it. You’re strong.” A separate commenter stated, “Best of luck Giada. Sorry about your toe, ouch.” DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba also hopped in the comments section, writing, “You are officially a dancer now! :).”

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Following the DWTS Season 35 cast reveal on Wednesday, September 2, De Laurentiis exclusively told TV Insider whether or not Bersten had earned her daughter Jade’s stamp of approval as her partner. (De Laurentiis shares her only child with her ex-husband, Todd Thompson.)

“He and Jade were like [tight], ‘cause she can dance, actually. She does musical theater, and she’s learned to dance quite a bit,” she shared. “So, I think she’s kind of surprised that I’m not able to do that much of it. But yeah, Alan and Jade are thick as thieves.”

De Laurentiis also said she hopes that Jade — who recently began her first year of college at New York University — will get the chance to watch her in the DWTS ballroom. “She’s at school here in New York, so I’m hoping at some point, if I make it that long, that she’ll come out and see [it],” she said.

 

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A post shared by Giada DeLaurentiis (@giadadelaurentiis)

In a Tuesday, September 8, Instagram video, Jade gave Bersten some advice on working with De Laurentiis. “My mom will always say she can’t do something, but you just have to keep reminding her that she can,” Jade stated. “She likes to have this mindset that she can’t do something for certain reasons, but she can.”

Bersten replied, “Good to know. No more excuses!”

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35 Premiere, Tuesday, September 15, 8/7c, ABC