Valerie Bertinelli, 65, Is Releasing a New Memoir – and the Cover Photo Ignites Online Frenzy

The 65-year-old "Hot in Cleaveland" star has unveiled not only the cover of her upcoming book but also a glimpse into the personal journey behind its pages.

Actress and TV personality Valerie Bertinelli revealed the cover of her forthcoming memoir, "Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect," on October 1, 2025, sparking a wave of online reactions tied to body image, aging, and self-acceptance.

The black-and-white photo shows Bertinelli nude but discreetly posed, smiling warmly. The cover accompanies a book she described as deeply personal. "This is my heart broken wide open," she wrote on Instagram. "It's a collection of intimate and vulnerable essays, exploring aging, love, friendship, secrets, and acceptance."

She explained that the writing process became unexpectedly therapeutic, helping her confront and process emotions in a way she hadn't anticipated. The memoir, set for release on March 10, 2026, is now available for pre-order.

Online responses to the cover image came swiftly and reflected a wide mix of emotions. Many followers celebrated the 65-year-old star's vulnerability and courage, while others questioned whether the photo accurately reflected her current appearance.

One Instagram follower observed, "Ilysm. This doesn't look like you tho imo [sic]." Bertinelli responded with humor, "lol that's what @patrickbertinelli said too."

A second chimed in, "and yet the cover doesn't show your true naked face today 😔," while a third said the photo resembled former model and actress Julianne Phillips.

Others showed fierce support. One fan praised both the cover image and Bertinelli's appearance, sharing excitement about the book. Another remarked, "Definitely reading. Wish the cover looked like you."

But amid the back-and-forth, more fans opened up in return. One wrote, "I love that you can be your authentic self. I'm struggling with body acceptance after a double mastectomy after my cancer came back."

Another admirer added, "You are absolutely stunning. You always will be, so go ahead, lady. Keep putting yourself out there and be proud of who you are. I know I'm positively proud of you!!"

A different follower reflected on Bertinelli's evolution, noting how her boldness seemed to come from finally feeling free to be herself. They shared their anticipation for the book and admiration for her inspirational journey.

Since revealing the cover, Bertinelli has continued giving fans a look behind the scenes. In an October 13 post, she uploaded a playful image from the photo shoot, puckering her face for the camera.

She explained the shoot happened right in her living room, supported by photographer John Russo and her longtime glam team — and promised to share more images as the release date gets closer.

Just days earlier, Bertinelli had posted a selfie from an airplane, saying she was heading home after a ten-day break dedicated to rest, her pets, and putting finishing edits on "Getting Naked."

That period of reflection tied back to how the memoir started. In a video clip posted to the Facebook page for "The Drew Barrymore Show" on October 10, Bertinelli explained that she began writing the book in early 2024 — right around the time she started appearing regularly on the show.

During the interview, host Drew Barrymore praised Bertinelli's openness, saying she was "very real, very wise, very giving" with her personal experiences. "I want my life experiences to have meant something," Bertinelli replied.

She said being on the show gave her a sense of emotional safety and support, which helped her begin writing regularly. That welcoming space encouraged her to open up, and ultimately led to the memoir.

She also revealed she'd been undergoing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to work through childhood trauma, calling it "life-saving."

Bertinelli hopes the memoir will serve a greater purpose. "And this book is hopefully what I've been through, what I can learn from it, and then what I can then give anybody else that may want to learn and make their lives better as well," she said.

Her journey toward self-acceptance had already been unfolding in public. In December 2024, she posted a bikini mirror selfie on Instagram that drew immediate attention for its honest message on body image. Her caption read:

"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."

Later, in another appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," she shared what motivated the post: "Well, you know what, 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.'"

Bertinelli then stood up during the interview and lifted her red sweater on camera, revealing her stomach. "But I have to say...it's like, it's 64 years of gravity. It's science. If you focus in on that picture, you're gonna see the little saggies, and I'm proud of them because I'm 64. It's a belly," she explained.

Years of public scrutiny had taken a toll on her self-image. She recalled being labeled as too thin or too heavy, until she eventually stopped trying to please everyone and focused instead on self-acceptance.

She also acknowledged her past role in reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards, particularly when it came to weight. "I'm a size 10. How is that too thin? I'm a size 10. How is that too fat? I'm just me. It's my body," she said.

Bertinelli's journey toward self-acceptance began long before the memoir — and it hasn't stopped. Back in April 2025, she shared another photo of herself in a radiant bikini, embracing her body and sparking another round of conversation.

She stepped boldly into her glow-up era — body, mind, and soul — plunging into icy waters with a beaming smile and sharing the unfiltered joy on Instagram.

Draped in a bold, colorful striped blanket or towel, she struck a quiet pose by the edge of an infinity pool, set against a breathtaking sunset backdrop.

But the cozy wrap didn't last long — Bertinelli revealed a fiery red bikini, confidently flashing her radiant grin as she showed off her figure and struck a few playful poses on her lush green lawn.

Her caption added another layer of warmth and authenticity, as she candidly shared the details of her latest wellness experiment.

"My pool is 66° 🥶 Now, for a cold plunge that's relatively warm. (that's what they say whoever they are) but along with everything else I've been experimenting with, this has helped improve my mood, has reduced inflammation and it's easier than filling my bath up with ice cubes 😝 [sic]," captioned Bertinelli.

She also shared a playful video of herself diving headfirst into a chilly pool, then swimming straight toward the camera positioned at the far end of the water.

Upon seeing her post, netizens flocked to social media comment sections to shower Valerie Bertinelli with praise, celebrating her openness and strength. "Gorgeous 💕 and she doesn't use photoshop or filters!! 👌🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻," swooned a fan, while another gushed, "Natural, perfect beauty ✨️."

A fellow admirer echoed a similar sentiment, "You got your 20 year old [sic] body back! You look amazing!" "Absolutely natural and so incredibly beautiful and stunning 😍," added someone else. "She looks fabulous!" exclaimed another supporter.

Even more compliments ensued with yet another fan marveling, "Are you kidding me? A current photo? I compliment you for keeping in shape!"

Bertinelli's recent posts and her upcoming memoir reflect how she continues to navigate aging and self-image in the public eye. By sharing these experiences, she contributes to a broader conversation about acceptance and personal change.