‘Valerie Is in a Battle With Her Ghosts’

Valerie Bertinelli’s ex-boyfriend Mike Goodnough is setting the file straight about his social media posts.

The author, 54, took to Instagram on Tuesday, April 1, to answer one of many many feedback suggesting that he and the movie star chef, 64, have been subliminally messaging by way of public Instagram posts. 

“That’s not the case,” Goodnough’s prolonged caption started. “I’ve by no means at any time posted one thing on social media for the needs of speaking with somebody not directly after I know them personally and have ample methods to achieve them straight.” 

Goodnough expressed this sentiment a number of instances, sustaining that he’s by no means posted on social media to get a message or a response from somebody, nor to “influence somebody’s emotions” about him, whether or not in public or personal. 

The author continued by claiming that he’s “very able to speaking overtly and straight with folks I do know and care about” and famous that he cares very a lot about Bertinelli.

“I’ve love for her and I at all times will. I would like her to be joyful. It can convey me nothing however pleasure to see that she is,” he wrote. 

The author, who dated Bertinelli for 10 months, went on to recall being with Bertinelli final 12 months through the launch of her cookbook, Indulge, calling the time frame one among “probably the most joyful” of his life in watching Bertinelli attain happiness and success. 

“Our relationship as companions ended. My caring about her didn’t,” Goodnough penned. Nevertheless, the author then went on to share unfiltered ideas on the chef’s most up-to-date Instagram posts. 

“Sadly, over the previous two months, Valerie has been liable to lapsing into a spot the place she has been enjoying a one-woman tennis match considering there’s somebody on the opposite facet of the online,” the caption continued. Goodnough accused Bertinelli of studying all of his posts and centering herself in them, taking offense to phrases that aren’t directed to her, and stated she “lashes out angrily” as a response. 

Goodnough famous that this sample created the phantasm that the 2 are not directly talking to 1 one other however reiterated that he’s not actively collaborating on this social media dialog along with her. He highlighted his disappointment with Bertinelli’s alleged “hostile, dishonest, and uncalled for backhanded swipes” and stated that whereas there is no such thing as a struggle occurring between them, “she simply received’t cease taking pictures.” 

The trustworthy and uncooked put up concluded with Goodnough writing, “Valerie is in a battle along with her ghosts. I’m simply the man who catches the bullets. And that isn’t new.”

The previous couple break up in November 2024, as confirmed solely to PEOPLE by a supply on the time. Earlier than this, Bertinelli was married to monetary planner Tom Vitale, 61, from 2011 to 2022, following her marriage to the late Van Halen frontman Eddie Van Halen from 1981 to 2007.

PEOPLE reached out to Bertinelli’s crew for remark and did not instantly hear again.