On October 1, 2025, veteran actress and TV host Valerie Bertinelli unveiled the cover of her upcoming memoir, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect, sparking widespread discussion about body image, aging, and self-acceptance. The cover features a black-and-white photograph of Bertinelli posed discreetly without clothing, smiling warmly. She described the book on Instagram as “my heart broken wide open,” emphasizing its vulnerability and honesty. The memoir, set for release on March 10, 2026, contains essays exploring enduring friendships, romance, personal secrets, aging, and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance. Bertinelli has said that writing the book provided unexpected emotional healing.
Social media reactions were immediate and varied. Many praised her bravery and authenticity at age 65, while some questioned whether the image fully reflected her current appearance. Bertinelli responded to comments with humor and openness, noting that even her husband had similar reactions. Supporters emphasized the inspirational nature of her openness, with some sharing personal stories of body acceptance struggles.
Bertinelli also shared behind-the-scenes glimpses from the photoshoot with photographer John Russo and her styling team, and revealed that she paused in October 2025 to focus on her pets and finalize manuscript edits. She cited EMDR therapy as transformative in addressing childhood emotional wounds.
The memoir aims to help others through her experiences. Over recent years, Bertinelli has openly celebrated her body and aging process on social media, including a 2024 bikini selfie and discussions on The Drew Barrymore Show. By 2025, she was embracing holistic wellness, cold plunges, and genuine joy online. Through her memoir and candid social posts, Bertinelli contributes significantly to conversations about self-acceptance, aging, and embracing one’s whole self.
