Valerie Bertinelli is opening up about the secret "shame" she felt after gracing the cover of People in 2009 wearing a bikini. It was the first time the TV personality, who has battled a weight problem, had worn a swimsuit in 30 years. She had worked "really, really, really hard" for the perfect body, but behind the scenes Bertinelli was struggling with a food addiction.
The 60-year-old opened up about her struggles in an interview with People published Wednesday.
"There's a lot of pride and a lot of shame associated with that cover. I worked really, really, really hard. Physically definitely. I wish to God I had worked just as hard on my mental shape," she said. "But when I don't work on what's eating me, I'm going to start eating."
Shame is a common theme in Bertinelli's life and one that she is working hard to overcome. In 2013, she broke her foot and the weight began to creep back. She admitted feeling ashamed of herself. That same year, Bertinelli spoke to Dr. Mehmet Oz about her complicated relationship with food.
"I was never really addicted to drugs. That's why it was so easy for me to stop," she said, according to People. "But food is a whole other thing. And I used food as a crutch, and I abused food in a way that I shouldn't have."
Bertinelli's weight has fluctuated dramatically over the years, but her turning point came in January when, fighting back tears, she admitted in an interview series on the "Today" show that she wanted to "know what true joy feels like," according to People. This sparked a journey into self-discovery and acceptance.
"That means you have to do the internal work. I've been really good at covering it up and eating through it. It's just ... I'd like to be good at something else now," Bertinelli told the outlet.
Now, she hopes to inspire others with her story.
"So many kind people have reached out to me, and said, 'I feel that way too,' it's overwhelming," she said. "It would be a gift to connect with people and hopefully have them feel good about themselves. Treating each other with kindness starts with ourselves."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.