Valerie Bertinelli has always been candid about her personal journey, but during a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress got emotional while sharing one of the most difficult moments of her career.
The 65-year-old star revealed she was fired as a spokesperson for a diet company after gaining weight, a situation that still resonates with her today.
A Memory Lane Moment Brings Back Painful Memories
The story came up during the show’s game segment, Memory Bank, where celebrities reveal anecdotes from their past.
Bertinelli held up a photo of herself in a white dress from her 2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, a moment meant to celebrate her achievements—but one she now recalls with mixed feelings.
“I felt so horrified,” Bertinelli admitted.
From Diet Success to Emotional Struggles
Before the Walk of Fame ceremony, Bertinelli had been the face of an unnamed diet company, documenting her journey after losing 50 pounds.
“I started a diet program and became their spokesperson in 2007,” she explained.
“I’d lost 50 pounds, but then life got the better of me. I wasn’t taking care of my mental and emotional health, and the weight began creeping back.”
She says the company let her go because of the weight gain, even though she was a size 12 at the time.
Grappling With Body Image Expectations
Bertinelli recalled the shock she felt:
“I remember thinking, ‘But size 12 is not that big!’ I’d been a size 4 before, which was way too small for me and impossible to maintain.”
The actress reflected on her lifelong struggle with fluctuating weight, noting that she’s currently a size 10.
“I would’ve been horrified being a size 10 while on the diet program back then,” she said.
“Now, my focus is on mental and emotional health, not the number on a scale.”
Embracing Self-Worth Over Appearance
Visibly emotional, Bertinelli emphasized that her value isn’t tied to her weight.
“I’m strong and firm in who I am. No matter what people throw at me, I know who I am and the kind of person I am. My weight doesn’t define me,” she said.
The Dress That Reminds Her of Resilience
Bertinelli still owns the white dress from her Walk of Fame ceremony.
She shared with a smile, “It fits me just fine now. It’s a little less snug than it was, but it doesn’t matter what size we are. What matters is our heart and how we treat people. Period!”
The story sparked a larger conversation about body image and industry pressures, asking viewers: Should companies fire spokespeople for not meeting strict size standards?
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