Valerie Bertinelli, at 64 years old, is making waves with her unapologetic stance on her body. In a preview clip of her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she opened up about the viral bikini mirror selfie that had garnered significant attention. This moment marked a significant turning point in her relationship with her body.

Embracing the Aging Process

When asked by co-host Ross Matthews why she shared the selfie, Bertinelli shared, "I have been coming to terms with my body now, aging. I saw myself in the light and realized I'm not mad at what I saw. It's 64 years of gravity at work, and it's a part of life. If you focus on that picture, you'll notice the little saggies, but I'm proud of them because they're a part of me." This honesty about the effects of time on the body is a powerful message.She further elaborated, "People have criticized my body, telling me I'm too slim or overweight. But why? There's so much judgment. I've learned that you can't make everyone like you, and that's okay. I don't want to be part of the manipulation that makes us think we have to look a certain way."

Dealing with Social Judgment

Bertinelli's experience with social judgment is not unique. She posted her viral selfie on Dec. 3 and shared how it was a way for her to find acceptance after a difficult year. In the caption, she wrote, "At some point, I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year. But right now, every lump, bump, wrinkle, and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan, ready to color my roots late on a Monday night."A day later, in response to those who criticized the photo on social media, she wrote, "To all of you that would sit in judgment of my body, the photo, and my reason for posting it, I hope you find a place in your heart to not judge yourself as harshly as you judge others. I have dealt with judgment my entire life, starting from when I was a young girl. It has taken me a long time to realize that my judgment, with patient discernment, is the only judgment that counts."

Finding Love for the Present Body

In her discussions on the show, Bertinelli also shared how she has come to love her current body. She said, "... It's taken me almost 3 years of emotional labor to get to this point mentally. For the first eight months of this year, I had physical setbacks. But for the first time in my life, I love my body as it is. It's not the 20-year-old body that I hated. It was a different body, but it had gone through the journey I needed to go through. Even as challenging as it's been and is, I am grateful for this journey and I wouldn't trade this body for my 20-year-old body any day. Ever."The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings), and Bertinelli's story continues to inspire others to embrace their own bodies.