Valerie Bertnelli said she’s not happy about being let go from the Food Network reality competition show “Kids Baking Championship,” which she’s been hosting alongside Duff Goldman since 2015.
“It really hurt my feelings,” the 63-year-old star said multiple times in a video clip she shared with her fans on Instagram. “It really sucks.”
Bertinelli explained how she shot the episodes for the show’s current season during the summer of 2022. She went on to describe that time of her life as “my apex year of hell” as she was going through a divorce from Tom Vitale.
“Like I was going through it and pretending everything was just fine, because that’s what you do,” she said of filming season 12.
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“And, without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life. Working with all 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,” Bertinelli continued. “So it really hurts that I won’t be able to go back and see everybody and say ‘Hey, I made it through, hi!’”
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The Golden Globes award winner concluded the video with a message for future contestants on the show.
“And to all the bakers that are coming in for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I’ll be there 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. 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,” she concluded.
“So always, always believe in yourself. Please do that for me. And keep baking. I’ll miss you guys.”
“Kids Baking Championship” has been a popular Food Network reality show since it premiered in 2015. Young bakers attempt to impress Food Network viewers with their ambition and creativity as they dream up unique flavor combinations and visually appealing creations.