The “Food Network” alum recently shared a candid mirror selfie on Instagram, reflecting on the challenges she has faced over the past year.
Valerie Bertinelli, embracing her body with newfound confidence, proudly displayed her physique in an underwear selfie. However, the post sparked mixed reactions, with some fans labeling it as inappropriate.
The actress posed makeup-free in a bathroom selfie, standing near a sink while holding a box of hair dye up to the camera. Dressed in a black two-piece outfit, her hair cascaded down naturally in the casual yet bold snapshot.
In the caption, Bertinelli shared a glimpse into her journey, writing, “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.”
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The post ignited a wave of reactions. Some fans criticized the revealing photo, with one commenting, “That’s great for you, but you don’t have to show everyone.” Another wrote, “Have you lost your mind posting this photo? Get some therapy.”
Others felt the post was unnecessary or attention-seeking. One user said, “She looks great, but at some point in time, you’ve got to stop being an attention seeker and just live your life.” Another added, “Do you really think we want to see you in underwear and bra? No, we do not. Grow up.”
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The criticism continued with comments like, “Really don’t need to see this. Why??? Good grief,” and “Oh please. Have some dignity.” A harsher take read, “Why do we wanna see an old lady wearing her panties online? Disgusting.” Others questioned her intentions, with one user 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?”
Despite the backlash, many fans came to Bertinelli’s defense, praising her courage and authenticity. Supporters applauded her confidence, with comments like, “Looking fabulous!!?❤️???” and “You look great! Thank you for sharing. You are definitely an inspiration to us all.?” Another admirer expressed admiration, writing, “Valerie, you look fantastic! ♥️.”
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Bertinelli’s post reflects her progress in embracing her body and overcoming self-doubt. In her younger years, despite having a slim figure, she struggled with body image and self-acceptance. She once admitted that the only part of her body she liked was her ankles. Now, she celebrates the changes that come with aging, including cellulite and sagging skin, viewing them as a testament to her journey.
“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 explained.
Bertinelli chronicled her journey to self-love in her 2022 memoir, Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today. Promoting the book, she shared how growing up in the public eye influenced her perception of herself. “It shaped who I thought I needed to be,” she said.
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She also revealed how the entertainment industry made her feel unlovable if she gained weight. Over time, Bertinelli rejected this belief, focusing instead on finding joy and self-acceptance. “I don’t need everyone to like me. That’s just not true,” she stated.
Recalling her childhood, Bertinelli spoke about the first time she became self-conscious about her body. “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 shared. Later, during her teenage years on One Day at a Time, industry comments about her size continued. “I was made to feel I could lose a few,” she said.
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Eventually, Bertinelli began to let go of the hurt caused by such remarks. After telling her therapist she no longer wanted to harbor anger, she started focusing on her own feelings rather than others’ opinions.
She also shifted her perspective on weight, moving away from obsessively monitoring the scale. Instead, she gauges her progress by how her clothes fit—particularly a trusted pair of jeans. For her, real progress stems from inner work, not numbers.
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The 64-year-old finds inspiration in plus-size celebrities, admiring their confidence and self-love. She wishes such role models had been around during her youth, but now celebrates their impact, noting, “Their inner glow, regardless of size, is what truly stands out.”
Additionally, Bertinelli has redefined her relationship with food, which once symbolized love from her mother and grandmother. Through her work on Food Network, she transformed food into a source of joy and passion.
Today, Bertinelli emphasizes that her worth lies not in her physical appearance but in her heart, mind, and the kindness she extends to others. By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to be kinder to themselves while continuing her own journey toward self-compassion.
