Valerie Bertinelli Looks 'Too Thin' as She Responds to Critics Following Her Underwear Photos at 64

Valerie Bertinelli's candid social media post wasn't just about self-love and kindness—netizens were quick to point out something about her appearance.

After receiving criticism for her previous underwear photo, Valerie Bertinelli shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. However, in her lengthy follow-up post, eagle-eyed followers noticed more than just her statement.

In her lengthy message, the 64-year-old actress reflected on self-love, overcoming judgment, and embracing her body. She began by thanking those who resonated with her message and offering gratitude for their support before addressing critics of her appearance.

"To all of you that would sit in judgment of my body, the photo, and my reason for posting it, I hope you find a place in your heart to not judge yourself as harshly as you judge others," Bertinelli wrote.

The actress shared that she has faced judgment from a young age but emphasized that only her own perspective, shaped by "patient discernment," truly matters. Over the years, Bertinelli has turned inward, choosing to focus on personal character rather than external perceptions.

Bertinelli reflected on the importance of focusing on personal character rather than physical appearance. She emphasized self-awareness, questioning whether she treats others with kindness and identifying factors—such as ego or emotions—that might hinder her growth.

With hard-won confidence, she shared that it took nearly three years of emotional labor to overcome self-doubt and free herself from the weight of others' opinions. This journey was compounded by physical setbacks earlier this year, which, though challenging, ultimately strengthened her resolve.

Now, she has reached a point where outside judgments no longer affect her. "I don't care what you think of my body. I don’t care what you think about my posting about it," she affirmed.

"For the first time in my life, I love my body as it is," Bertinelli shared, acknowledging that she once hated her youthful body despite its beauty. Reflecting on her experiences, she concluded, "I am grateful for this journey and I wouldn't trade this body for my 20 year old [sic] body any day. Ever."

Accompanying her statement were mirror selfies showing her in a black top, glasses, ripped-flare jeans, and black shoes, with one hand in her pocket and the other holding her phone.

Bertinelli's post quickly garnered a flurry of reactions, ranging from admiration to curiosity and lighthearted commentary. One user humorously remarked, "You're pretty much stating the mantra of the nudist community."

Meanwhile, others couldn't help but notice, "Wow. Now you look too thin," while another curious follower asked, "How did u loose weight [sic]?"

A fan praised her appearance while expressing curiosity, "Wow, you look amazing. Did you stop drinking and do you think that has something to do with you losing weight?" Another speculated further, "Are you on any of the weight loss medications or did you do it just by eating right?"

Some responses expressed support and empathy, acknowledging the negativity Bertinelli has faced in the past. One follower shared their disbelief, "Wait, people were judging you in that past post? All I could think was how wonderful you looked, definitely want your secret. I just don't understand people anymore, so nasty."

Another user commended Bertinelli's confidence and resilience, "You look great no matter what size clothing you wear. So happy that you're able to put other people's judgments out of your head!!"

Bertinelli's emotional message and the netizens' reactions followed her recent underwear mirror selfie on social media.

In the makeup-free bathroom shot, the Hollywood star stood near a sink, wearing a black two-piece outfit. Her hair was down as she held up a box of hair dye to the camera.

Bertinelli captioned the post, "At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year. But right now every lump bump wrinkle and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan ready to color my roots late on a Monday night."

Fans had mixed reactions to her revealing picture, with some criticizing it as unnecessary and questioning her decision to share such a personal image. Others deemed the photo inappropriate and urged her to seek therapy.

Several users reacted negatively to Bertinelli's post, expressing disapproval and finding it attention-seeking or unnecessary. Some criticized her for sharing such personal content, suggesting she should "grow up." Others described the post as inappropriate or lacking dignity, with some urging her to put her clothes on.

Another user suggested that Bertinelli might be seeking validation, expressing that while she is lovely, sharing an underwear photo seemed unnecessary if it was meant to attract compliments.

Some harsh opinions emerged, criticizing her decision to post the photo. Critics questioned the appropriateness of sharing such images at her age.

However, not everyone was critical. One fan praised her for "looking fabulous," while others celebrated her confidence and openness, calling her an "inspiration." Admirers collectively expressed positivity, commending her fantastic look and boldness in sharing her message.

Bertinelli has made significant progress in embracing her body. This led her to write her book " Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today," which was released in 2022.

While promoting her book, Bertinelli shared that she realized later in life how much growing up in the public eye, from childhood to adulthood, had influenced her. "It shaped who I thought I needed to be," she explained in "The Drew Barrymore Show" in January that year.

In the interview, the actress shared that the entertainment industry led her to believe that gaining weight made her unlovable, but she later realized this notion was not true. Now, Bertinelli is focused on embracing self-acceptance and intentionally finding joy.

The public pressure Bertinelli faced to lose weight and the fat-shaming she endured as a child initially made her angry. "I remember my fifth grade teacher patted me on the belly and said, 'You might want to keep an eye on that. That was the first time I became really aware of my body," she recalled in a 2020 People interview.

Additionally, when she starred as a teen in "One Day at a Time," she got more comments about her body. "I was made to feel I could lose a few, like, let's see if we can get you into a smaller size," shared Bertinelli.

Over time, she stopped letting these comments affect her and, after telling her therapist she no longer wanted to be angry, she began to stop taking remarks about her weight personally.

Furthermore, Bertinelli shared that she had shifted her focus away from the number on the scale, choosing instead to gauge her progress by how her clothes fit, particularly a favorite pair of jeans. She emphasized that true growth comes from inner work rather than obsessing over external measurements.

Bertinelli said in the interview that she drew inspiration from plus-size celebrities, admiring their confidence and self-love. She reflected on how these figures served as role models and wished they had been there for her to look up to when she was younger. Expressing gratitude, she noted that their inner glow, regardless of size, was what truly stood out.

Bertinelli actively reframed her relationship with food, turning a potential negative into a strength. Once a symbol of love from her mother and grandmother, food became her passion again, especially through her work on the "Food Network."

Bertinelli now emphasizes that her worth is defined by her heart, mind, and the kindness she shows others, not her body.

Valerie Bertinelli expressed hope that her story would inspire others to be kinder to themselves, believing it could also help her strengthen her own self-compassion. She seeks to reach anyone who may need her message of self-acceptance.