Giada De Laurentiis Eliminated From ‘DWTS’ After Low Scores and Rehearsal Argument

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and pro dancer Alan Bersten were voted off “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 on Tuesday, September 22, after a tense rehearsal and one of the night’s lowest scores.

Giada De Laurentiis and pro partner Alan Bersten were eliminated from “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 on September 22, 2026. A tense, emotional argument over choreography was caught on camera during a rehearsal for the pair’s televised performance, and they received a low score of 12 out of 30 for their salsa routine. Ultimately, they were eliminated because they did not get enough viewer votes.

De Laurentiis and Bersten performed a salsa to “Bella Ciao” by Becky G on the September 22 “Viral Hits Nite” episode. In the competition, it was the first time that De Laurentiis had tried lifts.

The choreography was ambitious, but the routine did not connect with the judges. All three judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, scored the performance 4 out of 10 for a total score of 12 out of 30. That left “Team Aldente,” as the pair is known, in last place on the leaderboard with fellow competitors Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson.

The low score followed a tough week of practice, some of which was shown in a pre-recorded video package. The footage showed De Laurentiis losing his patience in practicing the choreography.

At one point, De Laurentiis was at a loss as to what to do next and asked Bersten for guidance. Bersten snapped back, “You know it!” prompting an irritated sigh from the celebrity chef. De Laurentiis grew emotional and anxiously told him, “We don’t have a lot of time to slow down.” Then Bersten said, “I’m the least patient person, and I’m telling you, ‘Let’s be patient.’

The pressure of the live competition setting brought De Laurentiis to tears in rehearsal.

After the performance, the judges gave feedback directly. The panel said De Laurentiis needed to “let go more” and pointed out many errors in the routine, although Derek Hough said he “loved the character” of the performance.

After the scores were revealed, De Laurentiis told co-host Julianne Hough it was a difficult night. “Obviously, I think it’s… it’s disappointing,” De Laurentiis said. “But, hopefully, people vote for us, and I’ll get another shot!”

But ultimately, viewer votes did not save the pair. Fans’ social media responses largely echoed the judges’ critiques, with many viewers noting De Laurentiis seemed “stiff” and struggled to connect to the choreography.

This elimination highlights the brutal reality of live television competitions, where technology and audience sentiment determine who survives. The televised rehearsal argument and the low score afterward emphasize De Laurentiis’ steep learning curve as a non-dancer adjusting to the rigorous choreography under a tight deadline. It also shows how on-screen relationships and perceived effort can affect how viewers vote.

Giada De Laurentiis will return to her main profession as a chef and television host. The remaining couples will continue weekly live performances and eliminations, leading to the finale of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35.