Valerie Bertinelli, a beloved actor and Food Network star, recently opened up about a deeply personal experience in a heartfelt TikTok video.

In this candid message, she discussed the painful memories of being mercilessly humiliated by a former lover due to her weight. With a touch of humor, Valerie reflected on how something as simple as wearing jeans would trigger those hurtful experiences. However, she now looks back on her journey with a sense of strength and resilience.

Valerie revealed that while she can now laugh about her choice of clothing, this wasn’t always the case. In the past, cruel comments about her weight led her to stop wearing jeans altogether. She recounted the hurtful mockery, including words that implied she was lazy or unworthy of love. These harsh remarks left her with what she refers to as “hidden injuries”—the emotional, verbal, and mental abuse that isn’t visible to others but continues to affect her daily life.

“Hidden injuries” are wounds that linger beneath the surface, impacting our thoughts and feelings when they resurface. Despite these scars, Valerie expressed gratitude for the progress she has made on her healing journey.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Healing

Valerie admitted that she felt apprehensive about sharing her story, worried that some might tell her to simply “move on.” However, she delivered an empowering message to anyone with negative opinions, stating, “This is called moving on. This is known as healing. And welcome to everybody who can identify with this and feels seen. I’m simply another member of your clan.”

Healing After Heartbreak

While Valerie did not name a specific ex-partner in her video, her candid remarks came shortly after she discussed her ongoing healing process following her divorce. She shared her belief that emotional pain can become physically stored in the body, and she’s actively working on her healing through therapy, journaling, meditation, and a form of bodywork known as rolfing.

In May 2022, Valerie filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Tom Vitale, after six months of legal separation. By November 2022, she joyfully announced that her divorce was finalized, describing it as the “second best day of my life.”