Valerie Bertinelli’s Hair Journey: Exploring New Looks and Embracing Authenticity
In a playful social media reveal that delighted her followers, Valerie Bertinelli recently tested whether “blondes really do have more fun” by unveiling a striking blonde wig on Instagram. The beloved 65-year-old actress posted a photo with the caption “New hair, who dis?” while clarifying that she hadn’t permanently changed her natural color—at least not yet. This transformation was brought to life with help from celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, who’s known for his work with A-listers like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. The temporary makeover gave fans a glimpse of what Bertinelli might look like with a complete hair transformation, generating excitement and supportive comments from her loyal following who appreciate her willingness to experiment with her appearance.
Before this blonde experiment, Bertinelli had addressed the sometimes thorny subject of aging and gray hair with her characteristic candor and humor. In an Instagram post earlier in 2024, she delivered what she called a “PSA about filters and gray roots,” responding to followers who criticized her occasional use of filters. “Sometimes I use a filter, and sometimes I don’t,” she explained while showing herself without makeup or digital enhancement. With refreshing honesty, she confronted comments from fans who had accused her of wearing a wig, good-naturedly showing off her natural hair with its visible roots. Her frustration was palpable but tempered with humor when she quipped, “Can you get me a wig without flipping gray roots then, please, because I’m tired of getting my roots done every two weeks.” The moment highlighted Bertinelli’s genuine appreciation for the overwhelming majority of her fans who, as she put it, “don’t give a flying flip whether I have roots or I put a filter on.”
This open approach to discussing beauty standards, aging, and social media authenticity has become a hallmark of Bertinelli’s online presence. Unlike many celebrities who present only carefully curated images, she regularly shares unfiltered glimpses into her real life, creating a relatable connection with her audience. Her willingness to address critics directly while maintaining her sense of humor demonstrates a hard-won confidence that resonates with fans of all ages who face similar pressures about appearance and aging. Though she clearly enjoys experimenting with her look, as the blonde wig adventure shows, Bertinelli consistently advocates for self-acceptance and the freedom to make personal choices about one’s appearance without judgment from others.
Beyond hair transformations, Bertinelli has used her platform to share vulnerable moments from other areas of her life, including her recent return to acting after a significant hiatus. In June, she revealed her excitement about a new role that required her to “break down all barriers” and be “openly vulnerable,” describing it as “a beautiful role” in “an amazing script” with a cast “beyond my wildest dreams.” Despite her extensive experience in television, including iconic roles in “One Day at a Time” and “Hot in Cleveland,” Bertinelli acknowledged experiencing unexpected anxiety about returning to a single-camera format after a four-year break. With characteristic honesty, she shared selfies she had taken to send to production, noting that despite trying to project confidence, “my eyes never ever lie. You can see the fear and doubt in them.”
What makes Bertinelli’s career renaissance particularly compelling is her transparent discussion of imposter syndrome—a feeling that many can relate to regardless of their professional field or years of experience. “I’ve been doing this for over 50 years, (it’s like riding a bike, right?), but I just love this script so much and I wanna do it justice,” she confessed to her followers. She articulated a universal fear: “There’s always that thought that I’m gonna be the one that f***s up the whole project, right?” Yet rather than allowing these anxieties to overwhelm her, Bertinelli shared her coping strategy: “Feel the fear and do it anyway. Transfer the fear and anxiety into joy and excitement. They’re the same sort of feelings, just on a different spectrum.” This perspective offers wisdom that extends far beyond acting, providing inspiration for anyone facing new challenges or returning to old passions after time away.
Throughout her decades in the public eye, Valerie Bertinelli has evolved from a child star to a food personality and now to something perhaps more meaningful—an authentic voice of her generation who refuses to disappear or conform to limiting expectations about aging women in entertainment. Whether she’s experimenting with a blonde wig, candidly discussing her gray roots, or sharing her professional insecurities, Bertinelli embodies a refreshing approach to celebrity in the digital age. Her willingness to be seen as she truly is—sometimes filtered, sometimes not, sometimes blonde, sometimes showing roots—creates a space where perfection takes a back seat to authenticity. As she continues to reinvent herself while staying true to her essential nature, Bertinelli offers her followers something more valuable than beauty tips or acting advice: permission to be exactly who they are, in whatever hair color they choose, with or without filters, facing their fears while embracing new adventures.
