Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Losing Diet Deal Due To Weight Gain

Valerie Bertinelli’s Bold Revelation

Valerie Bertinelli, the beloved actress and food personality, is embracing self-love and body positivity, even when it hasn’t been easy. During her recent chat on "The Drew Barrymore Show," the 65-year-old star got candid about her evolving views on weight loss and a significant professional setback – losing a diet company deal due to weight gain.

While reminiscing with Drew Barrymore and Ross Mathews in a segment called "Memory Bank," Valerie was shown a snapshot from her 2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame induction. Mathews couldn’t help but gush, "Look at you, Val! God, you're so beautiful." But Valerie’s response was unexpected. "And I felt so horrified," she admitted, reflecting on her journey with a diet program that had started back in 2007, where she initially lost 50 pounds as their spokesperson.

"And they fired me [and] eventually said, 'We can't keep going with you because you're gaining weight again,'" Valerie revealed.

From Diet Culture to True Self-Acceptance

Though she didn’t name the company, Valerie was widely known for her role as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig. She shared that the stunning dress she wore during the Walk of Fame moment was a size 12, a contrast to the size 4 she had achieved during her dieting success. But after being let go by the company, Valerie took a different path – one that prioritized her mental and emotional health over her physical size.

Despite the initial shock, Valerie has grown stronger in her self-acceptance. "I have been up and down, but pretty much, basically, this weight my whole life that I am right now, and I'm a size 10 now," she shared. "And I would've been horrified then being on the diet program being a size 10."

Embracing the Joy of Food

Valerie’s journey has taught her that happiness isn’t linked to the number on the scale. "I'm so strong and firm in who I am," she said, getting emotional while discussing her newfound perspective. "It doesn't matter how much I weigh. What matters is who I am, how I treat people. Period!"

In a 2024 interview with USA TODAY, she referred to herself as the "poster child" for being food- and weight-shamed, reflecting on the challenges of diet culture. Her time in the kitchen, hosting "Valerie's Home Cooking" until 2023, became a source of nourishment both physically and emotionally. "Food is a big, important part of my life," Valerie declared, advocating for the joy of indulgence without guilt.

Valerie Bertinelli's story is a powerful reminder that self-worth is not determined by size, but by self-love and how we treat ourselves and others.