Valerie Bertinelli Embraces Her Body Post-Viral Bikini Selfie

Valerie Bertinelli expresses pride in her body. In a preview from her interview on "The Drew Barrymore Show," which airs on December 13, the 64-year-old shared insights on her widely discussed mirror selfie. She reflected on the joy of accepting her body as she ages, PEOPLE reported.

When co-host Ross Matthews inquired about her selfie, Bertinelli said, "I have been coming to terms with my body now, aging, and I saw myself in the light and I went, 'Oh I'm not mad at that.'" As she spoke, Bertinelli humorously lifted her red jumper to expose her stomach, which earned applause from Barrymore, 49.

"Like all those planks and sit-ups, you can observe underneath the saggy skin," she quipped. "But I have to say, it’s 64 years of gravity. It's science. If you scrutinize that picture, you'll notice the little saggies, and I’m proud of them because I’m 64. It’s a belly."

Bertinelli also addressed the harsh criticisms she has faced regarding her appearance. Attacks ranged from being labeled too thin to being overweight. "Why, why, why?" she asked. "People say, 'You're too thin, you're too fat, you’re out of shape, you’re in shape."

She realized that critical views often stem from societal pressures. "You can't make everybody like you," she conceded. She acknowledges now, at this stage of her life, that acceptance matters more. "I don’t like being a part of our brains' manipulation, forcing us to look a certain way," she explained.

Bertinelli identified herself as a size 10, responding to questions about her body size. "How is that too thin? How is that too fat? I’m just me," she stated.

The viral selfie, posted on December 3, became a reflection of Bertinelli's year-long struggles and subsequent acceptance of her body. In her post, she mentioned her body’s transformative journey.

"At some point, I will discuss the madness my body faced this year," she explained. "But right now, every lump, bump, wrinkle, and sag feels like acceptance."

The selfie featured Bertinelli in a black two-piece, holding a box of hair dye while posing in front of a bathroom sink. A day after posting, she addressed social media criticism. "To those who pass judgment on my body and the reason behind my photo, I hope you learn to be kinder to yourselves," she wrote alongside a series of new selfies on Instagram.

"I have faced judgment my entire life, starting from when I was very young," she added. This ongoing battle taught her that her opinion matters most.

Bertinelli shared, "It’s taken almost three years of emotional labor to reach this point mentally." She reflected on her physical setbacks earlier this year, stating, "For the first time in my life, I love my body as is." She remarked on the contrast between her current body and the one from her 20s that she once criticized. "I do regret hating that beautiful body," she admitted. "But it hadn’t experienced the journey it needed."

In wrapping up her sentiments, she expressed gratitude for her experiences, stating, "I wouldn’t trade this body for my 20-year-old body any day. Ever."

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