Why Giada De Laurentiis Insists Her Daughter Jade, 16, 'Really Isn't' Her 'Mini Me' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Giada De Laurentiis and daughter Jade.Photo:Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Giada De Laurentiisand her 16-year-old daughter Jade may share a resemblance — but the celebrity chef doesn’t consider her only child a “mini me.”

The Food Network alum’s daughter is gifted in the arts department. She sings with her band (which her momproudly promotes) and she performs in musicals and plays. Singing is not a trait that De Laurentiis passed down, she says.

“It’s crazy because neither her father or I sing,” the chef tells PEOPLE of herex-husband Todd Thompson. “Nobody in my family sings. I mean, we all love music, but not like that. Maybe in the shower. I’m always speechless when it comes to Jade and her music, because she’s able to write music.”

Jade taught herself to play the keyboard during the pandemic, and is currently learning to play the guitar on her own, says De Laurentiis, 54, who will publish her new cookbook,Super-Italianin March 2025.

“I don’t have that gift, so I am just in such awe of her willingness and her openness at teaching herself these instruments that to me are just beyond,” she says. “I don’t play the piano. I don’t play any instrument. It’s really sad, but I don’t. It wasn’t something my parents highlighted, and I just never went for it.”

Jade performing with her band.Giada DeLaurentiis/Instagram

Giada DeLaurentiis/Instagram

The proud mom says she’s “truly impressed” with Jade’s musical aptitude, and is eager to find out what path the high school junior will pursue when she graduates. “I’m really, really fascinated to watch her because she is nothing like me. I know everybody says, ‘She’s like a mini you,’ but she really isn’t.”

“No idea Jade sang. 😍,” read one comment. “Omg jade is an incredible singer!” read another.

Giada DeLaurentiis and daughter Jade.Giada DeLaurentiis/Instagram

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It wasn’t the first time De Laurentiis has expressed pride over her daughter’s performances.

In 2022, she shared a video ofJade playing the lead role in her school’s productionofMatilda the Musical.And in 2023, De Laurentiis and Thompson posted photos of their daughter in the showWorking.

“#proudparents,” they captioned a joint Instagram post of the family smiling as Jade held a bouquet of flowers.

They also posted images from Jade’s theater camp performance in July. “Soo proud of our girl & so special to watch her do what she loves,” said De Laurentiis.

source: people.com