Pressure during Dancing With the Stars rehearsals led to heated exchanges between professional dancer Alan Bersten and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Both partners have clarified that the tension reflected intense performance demands rather than personal conflict.
Speculation regarding a possible rift began after a Week 2 rehearsal package aired on television, showing the pair arguing before their routine. According to viewers and entertainment reports, the edited footage created the impression of underlying friction between the partners.
Addressing the Rehearsal Rumors on Podcast
During a joint appearance on Danielle Fishel’s podcast on September 29, Alan Bersten addressed the speculation directly. The 32-year-old pro dancer stated that the broadcasted clips blew the situation out of proportion and insisted they shared mutual respect throughout the season.
“I think people might have blown it out of proportion,” Bersten said during the podcast episode. “We had nothing but love for each other.”
Bersten explained that the pair had not watched the intro package before taking the stage, leaving them confused when interviewers later asked about tension in their relationship. He attributed the friction to a strict time crunch and the sheer intensity of learning a complex routine on live television.
“I think it was just that pressure of getting it, and the time crunch,” Bersten noted. “I saw how much Giada cared. I saw her wanting this as opposed to giving up. To me, that butting of heads, I think we were on the same page. There was just frustration of, why isn’t it happening faster?”
Giada De Laurentiis Openly Discusses Perfectionist Tendencies
Giada De Laurentiis echoed her partner’s perspective, explaining that her background as a chef contributed to her high expectations for herself during the competition. She admitted that competing on live television exposed her perfectionist tendencies.
“We really, really, really cared about it,” De Laurentiis said. “I wanted to do a good job. As good a job as I possibly could for Alan, for my daughter. Because you’re vulnerable and because you’re on live television… I really cared and I wanted to do a great job.”
The culinary star emphasized that any visible frustration during practice sessions was directed inward rather than toward Bersten.
“I think that is where the frustration came up and the feeling of stress, of like, ‘I only have X amount of time so I don’t have a moment to waste,’” she added. “It wasn’t that Alan and I were frustrated with each other. We were frustrated with ourselves. I was frustrated with myself and my ability, or lack of.”
Elimination and Final Reflections
Shortly after the rehearsal controversy, De Laurentiis and Bersten were eliminated from the competition following a salsa performance set to “Bella Ciao” by Becky G. The routine earned a combined score of 12 out of 30 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Despite the low score and high-pressure environment, Bersten maintained that their time together in the studio remained positive overall.
“We really did have fun in rehearsals,” Bersten concluded, reiterating that there was never any real animosity between them throughout their time on the ABC and Disney+ hit series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were there rumors of tension between Alan Bersten and Giada De Laurentiis on DWTS?
Rumors started after a Week 2 rehearsal package aired on television, showing the pair engaged in an argument before their live performance.
What did Alan Bersten say about the rehearsal argument?
Bersten stated that viewers blew the situation out of proportion. He explained that the arguments were simply a result of time crunches and high-pressure rehearsal environments, not personal conflict.
How did Giada De Laurentiis explain the friction?
De Laurentiis revealed that she is a perfectionist and felt immense pressure to perform well for her partner, her daughter, and herself on live television. She noted her frustration was directed at her own abilities rather than at Bersten.
What dance led to their elimination?
The pair was eliminated after performing a salsa routine to “Bella Ciao” by Becky G, which received a score of 12 out of 30 from the judges.
Is there any bad blood between Alan and Giada now?
No, both partners have repeatedly stressed that they have nothing but love and respect for one another and genuinely enjoyed working together on the show.
