Actress Valerie Bertinelli recently opened up about her emotional journey following her termination as a spokesperson for a weight loss brand after she regained weight. During a segment on The Drew Barrymore Show, Bertinelli, 65, reflected on the profound impact this experience had on her self-esteem and body image, especially during a challenging chapter in her life.
Bertinelli recalled the moment she was let go from the weight loss company, which followed her initial success in shedding 50 pounds after starting a diet program in 2007. “I started to feel horrified,” she said, looking back at a photo from her 2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame induction. The timing was particularly difficult for her, as the ceremony coincided with her dismissal from the brand. “This was the last year I was with this diet company,” she explained. “They fired me. Eventually they said, ‘We can’t keep going with you because you’re gaining weight again.’”
Bertinelli expressed how life circumstances took a toll on her mental and emotional health, which contributed to her weight regain. “Life started to get the better of me,” she admitted. This struggle was compounded by the pressures and expectations of her role as a spokesperson. During her Walk of Fame ceremony, she wore a lace dress in a size 12, which contrasted sharply with her previous size 4. “I remember thinking, ‘But size 12 is not that big,’ but I had gotten down to a size four, which was way too small for me and impossible for me to maintain.”
Today, Bertinelli has found a healthier relationship with her body and self-worth. She now identifies as a size 10 and emphasized that her current focus is on her mental and emotional well-being rather than on the number on the scale. “I have been up and down, but pretty much basically this weight my whole life that I am right now,” she noted. “I’m so strong and firm in who I am. It doesn’t matter how much I weigh. What matters is who I am, how I treat people.”
Through her candid reflections, Bertinelli highlights the often-overlooked emotional aspects of weight loss and body image. Her story serves as a reminder that personal health and self-acceptance go hand in hand, regardless of societal pressures or expectations. As she continues to embrace this newfound peace, Bertinelli demonstrates that true strength lies in self-acceptance and resilience.
