At a Glance
- Valerie Bertinelli shares a 2012 Walk of Fame memory that sparked a conversation about weight and mental health.
- She recalls being fired from a diet-company role after regaining weight.
- The talk on The Drew Barrymore Show turns a painful moment into a message of self-acceptance.
- Why it matters: It highlights how public figures navigate body image pressures and redefine health beyond numbers.
Valerie Bertinelli’s recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show turned a nostalgic moment into a candid discussion about body image and mental health. During the Jan. 14 episode, the former Kids Baking Championship host opened up about the 2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, the weight-loss journey that led to her dismissal from a diet company, and how she has redefined health in the years since.
A 2012 Moment That Still Resonates
The episode began with a photo of Bertinelli standing beside her star. Ross Matthews gasped, “Look at you, Val. You’re God, you’re so beautiful.” Drew Barrymore added, “And you look stunning.” Yet, behind the compliments, Bertinelli admitted she felt horrified. “That day was so joyful,” she said, but the joy was tinged with the anxiety of a body that had changed.
The photo sparked a conversation that went beyond a celebratory moment. It became a platform for Bertinelli to discuss how her body had evolved over time and how the pressures of the entertainment industry could shape one’s self-perception.
The Diet Program and the Unexpected Fallout
Bertinelli’s journey began in 2007 when she joined a popular diet company as a spokesperson. She had lost 50 pounds and reached a size 4, a number she described as “way too small” and “impossible to maintain.” The weight loss, however, was short-lived. “I wasn’t taking care of my mental and emotional health, so the weight started to come back on,” she explained.
Key Milestones
- 2007: Bertinelli becomes spokesperson, loses 50 pounds.
- 2012: Walk of Fame ceremony; weight begins to increase.
- 2012-2013: Company fires her, citing her weight gain.
- Present: She is a size 10, focusing on mental and emotional well-being.
The company’s decision was a turning point. “They said, ‘We can’t keep going with you because you’re gaining weight again,'” she recalled. Bertinelli’s response was one of self-assertion: “But size 12’s not that big,” she said, defying the industry’s narrow standards.
Reclaiming Identity Beyond Size
Today, Bertinelli stands firm in her identity. She said, “I’m a size 10 now, and I would have been horrified then being on the diet program being a size 10 but right now it’s about my mental and emotional health.” Her message is clear: weight is a symptom, not a verdict. She emphasized that her worth is not dictated by a number.
Her stance resonated with the audience. After her remarks, Matthews applauded, and Barrymore added, “I hope we’ve also come some distance between just saying skinny and fat as opposed to like, what is healthy for you.”
Body Positivity in the Spotlight
Bertinelli has been a vocal advocate for body positivity for years. In October 2023, she posted an Instagram video wearing the outfit from her first “Before” photo for the diet company. In the clip, she stood before a mirror and declared, “Health is not a body size. Health is not the number you see on the scale. Your worth as a human being isn’t dictated by your body.”
Her message extends beyond her own experience. She encourages viewers to focus on how they treat others and the health of their mind, spirit, and body, rather than on the scale’s digits.
Takeaway: Health Is More Than a Number
Valerie Bertinelli’s story is a reminder that the pressures of fame can distort our perception of health. By sharing her 2012 Walk of Fame experience and her journey from a size 4 to a size 10, she has shifted the conversation toward a more holistic view of well-being.
Key Takeaways
- Authenticity over Numbers: Health is a balance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, not just a scale reading.
- Industry Pressures: Even high-profile figures can feel compelled to conform to unrealistic body standards.
- Empowerment Through Storytelling: Sharing personal struggles can inspire others to redefine success and health.
Bertinelli’s candidness on The Drew Barrymore Show demonstrates that turning a painful moment into a powerful message can spark broader conversations about body image, mental health, and self-acceptance.
