Kelly Clarkson Slams Twitter Troll Who Called Valerie Bertinelli “Chubby”

Valerie Bertinelli and Kelly Clarkson know how to rise above the hate. On Tuesday, Food Network Kitchen announced that the One Day at a Time star and host of Valerie’s Home Cooking would be cooking live on the network’s app. Lots of people shared their excitement, but one commenter decided to shame her weight, writing, “Awwww, so chubby.”

Bertinielli screenshotted the comment and shared it to Twitter, thanking the person for reminding her to rise above negativity, always. “Wow. Someone is always there to remind me to tidy up my negative thoughts some more,” she wrote. “Thank you for reminding me I’m so much more than my body. Have a blessed day.”

To echo that poised, dignified clapback, Clarkson, who has experienced her fair share of body shaming, replied with her own two cents. “True power is recognizing the projection of others negativity and punching it square in the face with all the positive, remarkable, intelligent, beautiful light that seeps from your pores,” she wrote. “Pity people that speak ill of others because while some of us are dancing, the others are too afraid.”

Actress Melissa Peterman also responded to Bertinelli with encouragement. “Beauty comes from the inside,” she wrote. “You my friend are beautiful inside and out. The person who wrote that comment needs to give her insides a makeover!” And dozens of fans rallied with Clarkson. “We are beautiful as we are, where we are, at this moment!” one added. “We are not a size or a number on a scale.”

In the past, Bertinelli has admitted to having a complicated relationship with food and herself, which has inspired her to embark on a wellness journey in 2020 to achieve inner-peace and self-love. She announced the goal in a personal essay for Today, and on Tuesday, she joined Today with Jenna & Hoda to share an update. “I’m feeling really good,” she told them. “Although, watching that [highlight reel], I was like, ‘Ok Val, where’s the weight loss?’ And I’m still trying to like, let that go, because I don’t think the weight ever will come off until the weight on my shoulders comes off. And I really feel like it’s starting to dissipate.”

With the help of a life coach, she’s learning that progress is about more than a before-and-after picture. It’s about finding and experiencing real joy, and not giving anyone—even internet trolls—the power to take it away.