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'I'm so much more than my body': Valerie Bertinelli takes the high road against body-shamer

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Valerie Bertinelli (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
Valerie Bertinelli (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

Valerie Bertinelli refuses to let her online bullies get the best of her.

The 59-year-old actress and Food Network star received praise from fans and famous pals after she took to social media to address body shaming.

The “One Day at a Time” star shared a screen cap of a hurtful comment posted in response to a tweet promoting an upcoming live appearance (screen name @Wolfiesmom) on the “Food Network Kitchen App.”

(Photo by: Zach Pagano/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
(Photo by: Zach Pagano/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

“Awwww. So chubby,” the online bully wrote. Bertinelli redacted the person’s username.

“Wow,” Bertinelli replied, taking the jab in stride. “Someone is always there to remind me to tidy up my negative thoughts some more. Thank you for reminding me I am so much more than my body. Have a blessed day.”

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The tweet earned Bertinelli support from her more than 270,000 followers, who applauded her for taking the high road.

“You are always class,” one fan wrote. “That post says more about them than anything. You are beautiful through and through.”

“I can’t believe someone wrote this to you!” tweeted another. “Not only are you SO MUCH more than your body, you are an amazing and talented woman that’s accomplished so much in her life and the lives of others. Not to mention your cooking is amazing. Can’t wait to make those turkey and Swiss [sandwiches!]”

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Kelly Clarkson, who has been outspoken about body-shaming in the past, retweeted Bertinelli’s reply. The Grammy winning singer and host of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” echoed Bertinelli’s fans and praised her for leading with positivity and kindness.

“True power is recognizing the projection of other’s negativity and punching it square in the face with all the positive, remarkable, intelligent, beautiful light that seeps from your pores,” wrote Clarkson. “Pity people that speak ill of others because while some of us are dancing, the others are too afraid.”

Bertinelli isn’t letting her critics detract her from living her best life. Earlier this year, she debuted a new series with TODAY that focuses on finding happiness and health after loss. In a candid essay, Bertinelli revealed she gained weight following the death of her father and mother in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

(Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

“With the loss of my parents and dealing with other trials life throws our way, I’ve used food as a way not to feel the sadness or the stress,” Bertinelli revealed. “But by eating something away, all it does is make me feel worse about myself. One of my personal mottos is ‘choose happy.’ But sometimes that choice is really challenging.”

Ahead of her 60th birthday, the TV icon and bestselling author is focused on breaking bad habits and moving forward towards healing and success.

“Things can go wrong and then you can put them right,” she told fans. “Some are a little bit more challenging to put right – but it’s always about moving forward. I’m not going to let any mistakes that I make in 2020 define me as a failure – and neither should you.”

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