Valerie Bertinelli Says She's 'Extremely Grateful' After Having 'Been in Darkness for So Long'

11/25/2024 02:23 PM

"The light really does come through when you're in the darkness," the Food Network alum said during a visit to 'The Drew Barrymore Show' on Monday

Valerie Bertinelli is feeling thankful.

During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, Nov. 25, the Food Network alum, 64, spoke candidly with host Barrymore about what she's learned over the past several years.

When she stopped by the talk show for some Thanksgiving cooking, Bertinelli shared, "I'm extremely grateful for the lessons I've learned in the last few years."

"I'm really grateful for the challenges that I've been through because it makes this," she continued, gesturing around the studio, "so much more beautiful because the light really does come through when you're in the darkness."

"I feel like I've been in darkness for so long that being on this set with that gorgeous bright light is just amazing, so thank you," the One Day at a Time alum finished to applause from the crowd, as Barrymore got up from her seat and ran to hug her.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Posts 'Incredibly Vulnerable' Video: 'Scary to Share'

The Kids Baking Championship alum has previously been candid about her divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale in 2022, her exit from Food Network in January and the death of her ex Eddie Van Halen in 2020.

Last week, she shared a lengthy statement to Instagram marking two years since her divorce from Vitale — and reflecting on how Mike Goodnough, the writer whom she dated since March, before their relationship ended earlier this month, according to a source, helped her to "love again."

She finalized her divorce from Vitale on Nov. 22, 2022. 

"Today marks two years of freedom," the Indulge author captioned an Instagram post on Nov. 22, before listing off a long list of emotional accomplishments. "Two years of walking through self doubt and doing my best to get to the other side. Two years of knowing that I didn't deserve to tolerate the intolerable. Two years of working through shame and self loathing. (Still working on that part🥴long tail that😅) Two years of working to find my true self."

"Two years of eventually dipping my toe in and feeling love again. (Thank you, Mike ♥️)," Bertinelli continued, giving Goodnough a shout-out. "Two years of confronting past demons and traumas and doing my best to work through them."

To close out her post, Bertinelli gave some honest mental health advice.

"Most importantly, I want you to know that if you're struggling right now, I've been there and some days I can still be there but I want you to know it does get better" she wrote in part. "Some days will still be hard and challenging, but on other days, the light will shine brighter and you will feel it."

Related: Wolfgang Van Halen Recalls Final Moments with Dad Eddie, Reveals Where He Keeps His Ashes

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Bertinelli has been a recurring guest on The Drew Barrymore Show since September, when CBS announced she would be appearing as a lifestyle expert.

"I'm going to be a part of The Drew Barrymore Show. I'm going to be part of Drew Crew, and I'm super excited about that," she told PEOPLE about joining Barrymore's cohort of talent earlier this summer. "I absolutely adore her and all the people that work there are so flippin' cool."