Valerie Bertinelli, the 65-year-old star of Hot in Cleveland, has unveiled the cover of her upcoming memoir, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect, giving fans a glimpse into the personal journey behind the book. The black-and-white cover features a tasteful, nude photo of Bertinelli smiling warmly. “This is my heart broken wide open,” she wrote on Instagram, describing the memoir as deeply personal.
Scheduled for release on March 10, 2026, the memoir is a collection of intimate essays exploring aging, love, friendship, secrets, and self-acceptance. Writing the book, Bertinelli said, became unexpectedly therapeutic, helping her confront emotions she had long avoided. Responses to the cover were mixed: many praised her bravery, while some questioned whether it reflected her current appearance. Bertinelli responded with humor, noting, “lol that’s what @patrickbertinelli said too.” Others expressed support, sharing their own struggles with body image and admiration for her authenticity.
Since revealing the cover, Bertinelli has shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of the photo shoot with photographer John Russo and her styling team, promising more content as the release date approaches. She also shared a selfie from an airplane after a ten-day break focused on rest, pets, and finalizing memoir edits.
Bertinelli explained on The Drew Barrymore Show that she began writing the memoir in early 2024 while appearing regularly on the show. Drew Barrymore praised her honesty and wisdom, noting how the supportive environment encouraged her to write. Bertinelli also revealed that she has been undergoing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to address childhood trauma, calling it “life-saving.” She hopes her memoir will inspire others to embrace self-growth and resilience.
Her public journey toward self-acceptance began in December 2024, when she posted a candid bikini mirror selfie on Instagram. “Every lump, bump, wrinkle, and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation,” she wrote. On The Drew Barrymore Show, Bertinelli explained that she had come to terms with aging, lifting her sweater to reveal her stomach. “It’s 64 years of gravity. It’s science… I’m proud of them,” she said. She reflected on years of public scrutiny and admitted she had previously reinforced unrealistic beauty standards. “I’m a size 10. How is that too thin? How is that too fat? I’m just me. It’s my body.”
In 2025, Bertinelli embraced what she called her “glow-up era,” highlighting her body, mind, and soul. She shared posts of plunging into cold water to boost mood and reduce inflammation, posing in colorful blankets and fiery red bikinis. Her transparency about wellness and self-love drew widespread praise. Fans lauded her natural beauty, confidence, and honesty, with comments like, “Gorgeous and she doesn’t use photoshop or filters!!” and “Absolutely natural and so incredibly beautiful and stunning.”
Through her memoir and ongoing social media presence, Bertinelli continues to confront the challenges of aging and body image openly, inspiring discussions about acceptance, resilience, and personal growth.