Valerie Bertinelli has reportedly ended her relationship with Mike Goodnough after friends expressed concerns that he was more focused on her celebrity status than their partnership.
The 64-year-old Food Network star and the 54-year-old writer had been together for 10 months before announcing their breakup this week. The couple initially connected through social media, where their romance began to blossom.
Real Reason Why Valerie ended 10 months relationship with Mike Goodnough
While Bertinelli had previously acknowledged that maintaining a long-distance relationship was “challenging,” sources told DailyMail.com that the primary reason for the split was her realization that Goodnough seemed “captivated” by her fame. Friends had allegedly voiced their worries from the beginning of their relationship.
“Valerie quickly entered into a serious relationship with a man whose initial interaction was through commenting on her social media post, which should have been a warning sign,” shared a source close to Bertinelli.
“She found herself in a relationship with someone who felt more like an admirer than a partner truly interested in getting to know her for who she is,” the insider revealed. “He appeared more fascinated by her celebrity status.”
The source noted that the two-time Golden Globe winner is “holding up well” following the split but emphasized that she should be more “careful” when it comes to future relationships.
“Valerie realized this before things progressed too far, and she’s managing well,” the insider added. “Her friends had voiced their concerns from the beginning. Moving forward, she’ll need to be more protective of her heart.”
Another source pointed out that her turbulent marriage to Eddie Van Halen, which lasted from 1981 to 2007, has influenced her relationships over the years. “Her marriage to Eddie Van Halen was emotionally draining for both of them, and it has impacted her subsequent relationships,” they said. “It’s like she’s caught in a repeating cycle.”
DailyMail.com has reached out to Bertinelli and Goodnough for their comments.
The news of Bertinelli and Goodnough’s breakup was first reported by People on Tuesday, with a source confirming to the publication, “They are no longer together.”
In the weeks leading up to the announcement, the actress shared a series of seemingly cryptic Instagram posts hinting at heartbreak.
One TikTok video she posted contained the words: “What if this life is the one that we begged for… Get my heart broken. Over and over. Cry uncontrollably in the shower. Buy myself flowers a thousand more times. Hear a beautiful song for the first time. Or fall in love. What if I made a promise that I would never forget the miracle of being here.”
She also posted affirmations focused on self-worth and being “good enough.”
One of the messages read: “I hope you know that your heart is enough. You’re smart enough and funny enough and interesting enough. Your light is enough. And the parts of you that you struggle with and try to hide – they’re enough too.
“And if you just want to sit for hours without saying a word, your presence is enough. You don’t need to speak just to fill the silence. Stay true to who you are. Show up as yourself, not as who you think the world expects you to be. Because, I promise, your heart is enough. You are enough.”
The actress and her boyfriend first connected on Instagram, developing a bond in January due to a sense of familiarity and comfort. They made their relationship public on Instagram in April and attended their first red carpet event as a couple two months later.
However, by July, the actress admitted that maintaining a long-distance relationship was “challenging.”
Valerie Bertinelli recently received an outpouring of support from fans after sharing a heartfelt confession about experiencing an anxiety attack and its lingering effects.
On November 17, the actress posted an Instagram video showing her hand trembling above a table. “I’m doing my best. Oof, the aftereffects of an anxiety attack f–king suck,” she said in the clip.
In the caption, Bertinelli revealed that she had hesitated to share the update, admitting, “I waited to post this because it’s incredibly vulnerable and that’s always scary to share.” However, she decided to open up, adding, “We’re all out here doing our best, having a human experience, and none of us want to feel like we’re alone in that.”
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“I had a severe anxiety attack today, something I haven’t experienced this intensely in a very long time. Just a few hours ago, I was crying uncontrollably, with my heart racing as if it might burst from my chest. I couldn’t stop shaking,” she shared.
In an effort to support others who may struggle with anxiety attacks, she described the experience: “During an attack, I almost dissociate, focusing solely on calming myself and finding any path to a more relaxed, peaceful state. I’m aware that it’s my brain overthinking and catastrophizing, but my body goes into overdrive, completely out of my control.”
Bertinelli continued by explaining that even hours later, her body was still trembling and hadn’t settled down. She reached out to her audience, asking, “Please tell me I’m not alone in this 😬 and is there anything you’ve found that helps?”
Supportive messages and tips poured into the comments. One fan recommended deep breathing exercises, while another suggested a unique technique they’d learned: “eating the most sour candy (straws, bites, strips) you can find—the more sour, the better.”
A third person shared their method of placing their hands in ice-cold water to soothe the shaking.
