Valerie Bertinelli, the beloved actress and television personality, has revealed her experiences of childhood trauma in her upcoming memoir, *Getting Naked*, set to be released on 10 March. In a candid interview with *PEOPLE*, she shares that she was a victim of sexual abuse at the tender age of 11, a truth she has taken a decade to confront and articulate.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/PEOPLE_ValerieBertinelli_5-685e7d5821784dd5ab596467c76ad5b8.jpg)
In her own words, “It doesn’t feel like it owns me anymore,” Bertinelli reflects on the journey of coming to terms with her past. The 65-year-old star describes herself as a survivor, acknowledging the deep-rooted shame and self-criticism she grappled with over the years. She credits the healing process to the support of her son, Wolfgang Van Halen, her passion for cooking, and her work on *The Drew Barrymore Show*.
Initially, Bertinelli did not intend to delve into such personal territory in her memoir. What began as a book aimed at encouraging self-love evolved into a narrative that exposes raw truths from her life. “I had no plans to reveal this… This was going to be a book about teaching people how to love themselves. I did not know that I would go this far,” she admits. The memoir explores not just her traumatic experiences but also the emotional and physical aspects of her identity.
To illustrate the gravity of her childhood experience, Bertinelli includes a photograph of herself at age 11 in her book. “That was the little girl that was sexually abused,” she explains. “It boggles my mind that this little girl was taken advantage of that way.” She expresses her anger over the ongoing prevalence of abuse against children, urging society to speak out against such injustices. “We need to start speaking up and saying, ‘Enough,’” she states emphatically.
Taking the courageous step to voice her experience was not without difficulty. Bertinelli recalls the first time she disclosed the assault to her therapist, thinking it would lead to immediate relief. Instead, she found herself facing a deeper emotional turmoil. “It got worse before it got better,” she explains. Acknowledging her struggles, she notes that confronting her feelings led her to reassess her relationships with food and alcohol, both of which she had previously turned to for comfort.
Despite the challenges she faced, 2024 was particularly tough for Bertinelli, culminating in a debilitating anxiety attack. “I thought I’m not getting anywhere. I needed to do more work,” she reflects. This prompted her to explore the origins of her long-standing body image issues and self-loathing, which she now understands as a manifestation of her childhood trauma.
As she delves deeper into her past, Bertinelli shares memories of her youthful innocent joys—colouring, reading, playing with Barbies, and riding her bike. “I was just a little girl,” she reminisces, emphasising the stark contrast between her innocent childhood and the trauma she endured. Today, she identifies with a newfound sense of strength and resilience: “I’m a survivor.”
Throughout her trials, Bertinelli maintains a heartfelt connection with her fans, who have followed her career since her early days on the sitcom *One Day at a Time*. She credits her time on *The Drew Barrymore Show* as a source of solace and joy, labelling it an “oasis.” Additionally, her son’s unwavering support and her passion for cooking have played significant roles in her healing journey.
Looking forward, Bertinelli aspires to create a community through her new digital platform, *Valerie’s Place*. “I want to build a community where everybody is welcome,” she expresses, inviting others to join her in the kitchen and foster connections over shared experiences.
*Getting Naked* promises to be a powerful exploration of resilience and recovery. Bertinelli’s candid revelations serve as a reminder of the importance of speaking out and supporting one another in healing.
For anyone grappling with the consequences of sexual abuse, help is available. The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting “STRENGTH” to 741-741, while the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) and offers resources through rainn.org.
Valerie Bertinelli’s forthcoming memoir, *Getting Naked*, is available for preorder, inviting readers to witness her journey toward healing and self-acceptance.