The “Food Network” alum shared a mirror selfie on Instagram while talking about how tough things have been over the past year.
Valerie Bertinelli, who is embracing her body, proudly showcased her new physique in an underwear selfie, though some fans criticized it for being inappropriate.
A fan comments on Valerie Bertinelli’s picture, from a post dated December 3, 2024 | Source: Instagram/wolfiesmom
The actress posed makeup-free in the bathroom photo while standing near a sink. She wore a black two-piece outfit and her hair was down as she held a box of hair dye up to the camera.
Bertinelli captioned the post, “At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year. But right now every lump bump wrinkle and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan ready to color my roots late on a Monday night.”
Fans reacted to her revealing picture with some calling the post unnecessary, “That’s great for you, but you don’t have to show everyone.” Other fans voiced their disapproval, “Have you lost your mind posting this photo. Get some therapy.”
Valerie Bertinelli from a post dated December 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/wolfiesmom
A user who found the post excessively showy said, “She looks great but at some point in time you’ve got to stop being an attention seeker and just live your life.” Someone else bluntly asked, “Do you really think we want to see you in underwear and bra. No we do not. Grow up.”
Another disappointed user exclaimed, “Really don’t need to see this. Why??? Good grief.” A harsher critic begged, “Oh please. Have some dignity.” Meanwhile, one commenter dismissed the post entirely, “Who cares!!! Put your clothes on.”
One more user felt that Valerie Bertinelli was craving validation, writing, “Honestly you’re quite lovely and don’t need to post an underwear picture. If you’re posting for compliments you’ll get them here but why do you need them?”
Valerie Bertinelli onstage during Project Angel Food’s Lead with Love 4 – A Fundraising Special on KTLA in Los Angeles, California, on June 24, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Harsh opinions surfaced as well, with a user saying, “Why do we wanna see an old lady wearing her panties online? Disgusting.[sic]” Another individual held a similar opinion, noting, “Agree, why at 60 some years old would you pose in your bra and underwear to the whole world. It’s very inappropriate in my opinion.”[sic]
Valerie Bertinelli attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California, on March 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
However, not everyone was critical. One fan praised her appearance, “Looking fabulous!!.” Other fans applauded her boldness, “You look great! Thank you for sharing. You are definitely an inspiration to us all..” An admirer summed up the positivity, “Valerie you look fantastic! ♥️.”
Bertinelli has made significant progress in embracing her body. In her younger years, despite having a beautiful figure, she struggled with self-acceptance and could only point to her ankles as a feature she liked. Now, she celebrates her body, appreciating everything that comes with aging, including cellulite and sagging skin, as a meaningful achievement.
Valerie Bertinelli on “Today” on June 9, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
“This is what I have, I so love my brain and my body carries my brain. I so love my heart and this body is what carries my heart, so it’s aging that’s what we all do, that’s all it’s doing,” she shared.
Bertinelli’s self-love journey led her to write her book “ Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today,” which was released in 2022. While promoting her book, Bertinelli shared that she realized later in life how much growing up in the public eye, from childhood to adulthood, had influenced her. “It shaped who I thought I needed to be,” she explained.
Valerie Bertinelli on April 23, 1990 | Source: Getty Images
The actress now recognizes that her belief that she needed to be liked by everyone was false. She shared that the entertainment industry led her to believe that gaining weight made her unlovable, but she has since learned that this notion isn’t true. Bertinelli is now focused on finding self-acceptance and embracing joy intentionally.
The public pressure Bertinelli faced to lose weight and the fat-shaming she endured as a child initially made her angry. “I remember my fifth grade teacher patted me on the belly and said, ‘You might want to keep an eye on that. That was the first time I became really aware of my body,” she recalled.
Additionally, when she starred as a teen in “One Day at a Time,” she got more comments about her body. “I was made to feel I could lose a few, like, let’s see if we can get you into a smaller size,” shared Bertinelli.
Valerie Bertinelli on “One Day at a Time” in 1983 | Source: Getty Images
Over time, she stopped letting these comments affect her and, after telling her therapist she no longer wanted to be angry, she began to stop taking remarks about her weight personally.
Valerie Bertinelli on “One Day at a Time” in 1983 | Source: Getty Images
Furthermore, Bertinelli said that she shifted her focus away from the number on the scale, explaining that she no longer checks her weight as frequently. Instead, she gauges her progress by how her clothes fit, particularly a pair of jeans. She emphasized that true progress comes from inner work, rather than obsessing over external numbers.
Valerie Bertinelli at the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards held at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California, on June 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The 64-year-old also draws inspiration from plus-size celebrities, who she believes radiate confidence and self-love. She reflected on how these figures serve as role models, wishing they had been there for her to look up to when she was younger. She expressed deep gratitude for their presence, highlighting that their inner glow, regardless of size, is what truly stands out.
Valerie Bertinelli on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on March 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Bertinelli has also worked on reframing her relationship with food, transforming what could have been a negative into her strength. Food, which had been a symbol of love from her mother and grandmother, became her passion once again, especially through her work on “Food Network.”
Valerie Bertinelli on “Today” on January 7, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Today, Bertinelli recognizes that it is not her body that defines her worth, but her heart, mind, and the kindness she shows others.
Valerie Bertinelli attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 3, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The actress hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire others to be kinder to themselves, believing that this will also help her practice self-compassion. She aims to connect with someone who may need to hear her message of self-acceptance.
