Valerie Bertinelli is speaking out about being cut from her hosting duties on Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship” after 12 seasons.
“I know that it’s business, budget cuts, right? But it really hurt my feelings to know that I’m not going to be asked back to be on ‘Kids Baking Championship.’ It really sucks,” she opened up in a post to Instagram on Saturday.
Bertinelli and Duff Goldman served as hosts and judges for the competition series since 2015.
In her video message, she noted that the episodes airing right now were ones she recorded back in 2022, which she called her “apex year of hell.”
“I was going through it and pretending everything was just fine because that’s what you do,” she said fighting back tears. “Without sounding like a drama queen the show saved my life.”
The “One Day at a Time” actress was in the middle of divorcing ex-husband, Tom Vitale, at the time and explained how “Kids Baking Championship” was a bright spot during those dark days.
“Just working with all of those really wonderful people and feeling productive and knowing I could spread some kindness, and not just wallow in my hell and just try to keep my head above water. It helped me it was like a flotation device,” she continued.
She then explained her disappointment that she wouldn’t be able to see her former colleagues to tell them what they meant to her.
“Les and Duff and that camera crew, sound crew, art department, the back kitchen crew. Oh my God, these people work so hard to give you an amazing show,” she explained. “All of those kid bakers that I got to watch grow up. I feel so lucky.”
Some of the “Hot in Cleveland” star’s high-profile fans were not happy about this news and expressed their dismay in the comment section.
“Wait!!! What!!!!! I need to sign a petition. I looooove this show and watch it daily,” commented Khloe Kardashian. “I record it and all. I love you and Duff together, and it will be hard to imagine it without you. The way you are with the children is magical. Your understanding and advice to them is key. Duff’s voice is important as well but I think they need you both… I’m so sorry! This does suck and I understand why your feelings are hurt.”
Singer and actress Debbie Gibson also weighed in.
“Ohhh I understand this so completely,” she commented. “Not sure why these sorts of decisions are made, budgets and all. It’s all too familiar in show biz so of course we all go to the place of the universe having something else in store but right this second sucks and hurts so feel all the feels and know that all of your beautiful community members here are with you!”
“Last year the strike hurt a lot of us. I’m so sorry to hear this,” wrote Loni Love. “This industry has changed so much but you know your value and worth.. most of all your talent… another project is coming soon for you V!”
While Bertinelli will no longer be a part of the show, she offered words of encouragement for future contestants.
“And to all the bakers that are coming in for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I’ll be with you in spirit and I just want you to remember this: You are there for a reason. You’re some of the best bakers in America right now,” she said. “And if you don’t make it to the next round, please always remember this: It’s not because you’re not a good baker, you just had a bad day. So always, always believe in yourself. Please do that for me and keep baking. I’ll miss you guys.”
She also took to X, formerly Twitter, to speak more on the matter.
In response to a post from PEOPLE magazine, Bertinelli cleared the air that “talks” were reportedly stalled between her and the series.
“This is a tad misleading. There were never any talks, so no talks could be stalled,” she explained. “I got an inkling I might not be asked back when I saw I was not in the holiday specials. I got a text by a third party on Friday that told me I would not be back. LOL I was basically ghosted.”
She then further explained that she has “zero ill will toward anyone at (Food Network)” and while she enjoyed working for them and all the “lovely, kind, hard-working people” and “understands business is business,” she “won’t tolerate lies.”
“I am a lot of things, but I am not greedy, nor am I a liar,” she said.