Valerie Bertinelli Shares Alternate Cover Photos for Her Upcoming Book

The beloved TV personality, actress, and celebrity cook is turning the page, literally and figuratively, as she launches her most revealing project yet.

Valerie Bertinelli recently unveiled the cover of her new memoir and followed it up by sharing additional photos that didn't make the final cut. While many fans praised her for looking gorgeous and confident, others were more critical of her daring appearance.

Daring to Be Seen: Valerie Bertinelli Goes Nude for Memoir Cover

The celebrity cook gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes of her upcoming memoir "Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect." Announced in early October and set for release on March 10, 2026, the book explores themes of honesty and vulnerability.

And in true Bertinelli fashion, she found a symbolic way to express that — by quite literally baring her skin. The memoir's cover features a striking black-and-white photo of the 65-year-old posing discreetly nude.

Behind-the-Scenes Bombshell: Valerie Bertinelli Posts Steamy Snaps

On Tuesday, October 28, she took to Instagram to share a few outtakes from the cover shoot that didn't make the final selection. In the two photos, she flashes a radiant smile while wearing an unbuttoned white shirt. Her hands are gently placed near her slightly exposed cleavage and bare midriff.

"#throwback to some photos that didn’t make the cover of ‘Getting Naked’ My new book comes out 3.10.26 and if you’re so inclined, it is available to pre-order, the info is in my bio," she wrote in the caption.

Fans Cheer Her On: 'Still the Most Beautiful Woman in the World'

Bertinelli's post drew a mix of admiration, curiosity, and critique from fans across the board. One longtime supporter cheered her on with enthusiasm, "I think this photo is better than the actual cover…your personality and vivaciousness come through…longtime fan of yours…😎."

Another admirer couldn't hold back their affection, saying, "You are still the most beautiful woman in the world," while someone else added a sweet compliment, "Best smile ever!"

The praise kept rolling in, with one fan declaring, "Looking spectacular!❤️" and another sharing heartfelt support, "You are a brave and beautiful lady @wolfiesmom!! Always have been!"

Not every comment was glowing, though. One follower voiced mixed feelings, "You are beautiful but I’m disappointed you have makeup on. I was hoping you would be truly naked and really fine about going without it and filters." Others took issue with the tone of the photos, including one who remarked, "Disappointed in the sexual attention you display 😟."

Amid the reactions, one curious fan approached the subject with genuine interest, commenting, "Congrats on the book. How do the risqué photos enhance the overall culinary experience? Serious question… not judging." And, adding a touch of humor to the conversation, one user teased, "Your shirt is falling off dear😂."

Valerie Bertinelli's memoir, which she described as deeply personal, has sparked a wave of online reactions tied to body image, aging, and self-acceptance. "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.

Online responses to the memoir's 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 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.