Giada De Laurentiis Reveals Toe Injury Ahead of DWTS Debut
Giada De Laurentiis Reveals Toe Injury Ahead of DWTS Debut
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Key Points
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De Laurentiis said ABC approached her about competing on “Dancing With the Stars” 10 times before she accepted, and she initially tried to back out shortly before leaving her daughter at college.
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Her friend Maria Menounos, who competed on Season 14, advised her to practice the routines independently in addition to the scheduled rehearsals.
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De Laurentiis is one of 16 contestants announced for Season 35, which was scheduled to premiere the following week; the cast also includes performers with substantial dance backgrounds, such as Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr.
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Fans responded to De Laurentiis’ injury post with encouragement, including commenters who described their own toe injuries or lost toenails from ballroom dancing; “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba also commented on the post.
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis revealed a painful toe injury just days before her Dancing With the Stars debut. The 56-year-old Food Network star bruised and "busted" her middle toe during rehearsals for Season 35, showing off the purple swelling wrapped around the injury US Magazine. She expects to lose the toenail but says the damage won't stop her from competing.
De Laurentiis called the injury "part of the game" and vowed to push through Deadline. Paired with professional dancer Alan Bersten, she's discovered that ballroom training hits muscles she didn't know were weak. Her 18-year-old daughter Jade encouraged her to accept the role after ABC asked 10 times before she finally said yes.
Purple Bruise Proves Dancing Demands a Price
The toe injury shows just how physical Dancing With the Stars can be. De Laurentiis posted video footage on Instagram displaying the bruised, swollen middle toe wrapped in protective tape US Magazine. She believes the toenail will fall off but remains undeterred. Fellow DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba commented on the post with support Fresno Bee.
Ten Years of Asking Before She Said Yes
ABC approached De Laurentiis about competing on the show 10 separate times Deadline. She turned them down repeatedly until her daughter Jade convinced her to take the leap. De Laurentiis nearly backed out shortly before dropping her daughter at college, but ultimately committed to the challenge US Magazine.
A Lineup of Experienced Dancers Joins the Season
Season 35 includes 16 competitors with varying skill levels Tri-City Herald. The cast features performers with serious dance backgrounds like Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. De Laurentiis takes the stage as one of the less experienced dancers on the roster Tri-City Herald. Her friend Maria Menounos, who competed in Season 14, advised her to practice routines outside scheduled rehearsals to stay sharp US Magazine.
Fans Rally Around the Injured Celebrity Chef
The Instagram post about her injury sparked an outpouring of support from viewers Idaho Statesman. Many commenters shared their own toe injury stories from ballroom dancing. Some described losing toenails during competition, normalizing De Laurentiis' bruise as a rite of passage Fresno Bee. The positive response shows fans view her injury as proof of her commitment.
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