DWTS: Why Giada DeLaurentis Says She WON Despite Being Eliminated (Exclusive)

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Giada De Laurentiis may have been eliminated from Dancing With the Stars, but the celebrity chef isn't walking away feeling like she lost.

After her elimination from the ABC competition, De Laurentiis and her professional dance partner, Alan Bersten, reflected on their experience and the unexpected victories she says she is taking with her.

For De Laurentiis, the biggest rewards had little to do with how long she remained in the competition.

Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone

Known for her work in the kitchen rather than on the dance floor, De Laurentiis entered the competition facing a challenge far outside her usual world.

Learning choreography, performing live and being judged each week pushed her into unfamiliar territory.

But that was also part of what made the experience meaningful.

Rather than focusing only on the elimination, De Laurentiis said she was proud of what she accomplished and the personal growth that came from taking the risk.

Her Partnership With Alan Bersten

Throughout the season, Bersten helped guide De Laurentiis through the demanding process of learning ballroom and Latin routines.

The partnership became an important part of her experience, with Bersten helping her build confidence as she adjusted to performing in front of a live audience.

Following their elimination, the pair spoke with ET's Denny Directo about the journey and what De Laurentiis considers her biggest “wins” from competing.

More Than a Mirrorball Trophy

For De Laurentiis, success on DWTS wasn't ultimately about taking home the Mirrorball Trophy.

She gained something else: the chance to challenge herself, learn something completely new and discover that she could do more than she initially thought possible.

That perspective has allowed her to look at the competition as a positive experience despite her early exit.

A New Memory to Take Home

The chef has built much of her career around food, television and entrepreneurship, but Dancing With the Stars gave her an opportunity to show audiences a different side of herself.

From rehearsals to live performances, every week brought a new challenge — and a new opportunity to improve.

Now that her time in the ballroom is over, De Laurentiis is choosing to focus on what she gained rather than what she didn't win.

“I Won”

For De Laurentiis, the experience itself became the prize.

She may not have made it to the end of the competition, but the confidence, memories and personal accomplishment she takes away from the ballroom are victories in their own right.

And after stepping onto the dance floor, learning routines and performing live, De Laurentiis can leave DWTS knowing she took a chance — and made it count.

Source: ET