A former “Food Network” star posted a mirror selfie on Instagram, opening up about the challenges they’ve faced in the past year.

Valerie Bertinelli is all about body positivity these days, and she recently shared a bold underwear selfie. While many fans cheered her on, a few had some not-so-great things to say about it being inappropriate.

The actress snapped a makeup-free shot in the bathroom, casually leaning by the sink. She was rocking a black two-piece outfit, hair down, holding a box of hair dye up to the camera.

Bertinelli shared in the post, “At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year.” At this moment, every little lump, bump, wrinkle, and sag just brings a sense of acceptance and a straightforward appreciation for being in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan, gearing up to color my roots on a late Monday night.

Fans had mixed feelings about her revealing picture, with some saying it was a bit much, commenting, “That’s great for you, but you don’t have to show everyone.”Some fans were not shy about sharing their thoughts, saying, “Have you lost your mind posting this photo?” Why not consider some therapy?

A user who thought the post was a bit over the top commented, “She looks great, but at some point, you’ve got to stop seeking attention and just enjoy your life.”Someone else straight up asked, “Do you honestly think we want to see you in your underwear and bra?” Not at all. Time to mature.

Another frustrated user chimed in, “Honestly, I really don’t need to see this.” What’s up with that??? Wow, seriously?A tougher critic pleaded, “Oh come on.” Show a little dignity, will you?In the meantime, one commenter totally brushed off the post, saying, “Who cares!!!” “Hey, put your clothes on.”

Another user chimed in, suggesting that Valerie Bertinelli might be seeking some validation, saying, “Honestly you’re quite lovely and don’t need to post an underwear picture.” If you’re looking for some compliments, you’ll definitely find them here, but seriously, why do you need them?

Valerie Bertinelli took the stage at Project Angel Food’s Lead with Love 4 – A Fundraising Special on KTLA in Los Angeles, California, on June 24, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Some strong opinions popped up too, with one user asking, “Why do we want to see an old lady in her panties online?” That’s just gross.Someone else chimed in with a similar thought, saying, “I agree, why would you pose in your bra and underwear for the whole world at 60 years old?” I think it’s really not cool, honestly.

Valerie Bertinelli was spotted at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California, on March 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

But hey, not everyone was throwing shade. One fan complimented her look, saying, “Looking fabulous!!.”Other fans cheered for her boldness, saying, “You look great!” Thanks for sharing! You’re truly an inspiration to everyone around you..An admirer captured the vibe perfectly, saying, “Valerie you look fantastic! ♥️.”

Bertinelli has really come a long way in accepting her body. Back in her younger days, even with a stunning figure, she had a tough time accepting herself and could only really appreciate her ankles as a feature she liked. Now, she’s all about celebrating her body, embracing everything that comes with aging—cellulite and sagging skin included—as a badge of honor.

“I’ve got to say, I really love my brain, and my body is just here to carry it around.” <text”I absolutely adore my heart, and this body is what keeps it going. Aging is just part of the deal for all of us, and that’s all it’s really doing,” she said.

Bertinelli’s journey of self-love inspired her to pen the book “Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today,” which hit the shelves in 2022. Bertinelli opened up about her book and reflected on how her upbringing in the spotlight, from a young age to adulthood, shaped her in ways she didn’t fully grasp until later in life. “It really influenced my perception of who I had to become,” she shared.

The actress has come to realize that her idea of needing everyone’s approval was just a misconception. She mentioned that the entertainment world made her think that putting on weight made her unlovable, but she’s come to realize that this idea isn’t true. Bertinelli is all about finding self-acceptance and intentionally embracing joy these days.

Bertinelli felt a wave of anger from the public pressure to lose weight and the fat-shaming she experienced as a kid. “I remember my fifth-grade teacher gave me a little pat on the belly and said, ‘You might want to keep an eye on that.’” “That was the first time I really noticed my body,” she remembered.

Also, when she was a teenager in “One Day at a Time,” she received a lot more comments about her body. “I felt like I was being pushed to drop a few sizes, you know, like, let’s see if we can fit you into something smaller,” Bertinelli said.

Eventually, she learned to brush off those comments. After chatting with her therapist about her desire to let go of the anger, she started to take those remarks about her weight less to heart.

Bertinelli mentioned that she’s moved her attention away from the scale, saying she doesn’t check her weight as often anymore. Instead, she checks her progress by how her jeans fit, especially a favorite pair. She pointed out that real progress is all about doing the inner work, instead of getting hung up on external numbers.

The 64-year-old takes cues from plus-size celebrities, who she thinks exude confidence and self-love. She thought about how these figures act as role models, wishing they had been around for her to admire when she was younger. She was really thankful for them being there, pointing out that their inner glow, no matter how big or small, is what really catches the eye.

Bertinelli has been busy reshaping her relationship with food, turning what might have been a downside into a real strength. Food, once a symbol of love from her mom and grandma, reignited her passion, especially with her work on “Food Network.”

These days, Bertinelli gets that it’s not her body that makes her valuable, but rather her heart, mind, and the way she treats people with kindness.

The actress is really hoping that by opening up about her journey, she can encourage others to be a bit nicer to themselves. She thinks that doing this will also help her work on her own self-compassion. She’s looking to reach out to someone who could really benefit from her message about embracing who they are.