A recent Instagram post by the East Coast writer has drawn sharp criticism for its tone and content aimed at Valerie Bertinelli, prompting fans to accuse him of being unnecessarily harsh.
On March 31, Mike Goodnough—Valerie Bertinelli’s former partner—shared a lengthy Instagram message addressing public speculation about their interactions on social media. Although he claimed to be setting the record straight, his message included personal details about Bertinelli that some interpreted as cruel. As fans continue reacting, the post has become a lightning rod for controversy.
Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Creative Arts & Lifestyle Awards at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites on June 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Goodnough used his Instagram post to reject claims that he was sending covert messages to Bertinelli through public posts. He insisted that he had never used social media to indirectly communicate with someone he knows personally, stating that he is “very capable of communicating openly and directly with people I know and care about.”
Moreover, he affirmed that he still has love for Bertinelli and wishes her happiness, recalling how joyful he felt during the release of her book exactly one year ago.
However, the message took a turn when Goodnough described Valerie Bertinelli‘s recent behavior. He claimed that for the past two months, she had been misinterpreting his posts and imagining offenses that were never intended.
Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough are seen out and about on June 9, 2024, in Studio City, California | Source: Getty Images
According to him, she has been “playing a one-woman tennis match thinking there is someone on the other side of the net,” and had taken offense to things “that were neither to her or about her.”
He emphasized that he was not engaging with her online and dismissed the idea of a feud, “She just won’t stop shooting. Valerie is in a war with her ghosts. I’m just the guy who catches the bullets.”
Goodnough appeared to frame his comments as caring, but some readers strongly disagreed with his delivery and timing. On Instagram, one person wrote, “Pretty sure someone who posts this for the world to see is not as blameless as they portray themselves. This is a classless post.”
Another person expressed disappointment, “I am so surprised and horrified you posted this. You could have gotten the message out to your followers who were misguided without that last, very mean, section about Valerie. How cold.” A more concise response read, “This is upsetting.”
One fan directly challenged his tone, “Your post did not show love. I’m sad for you that you thought being this vicious, publicly, was somehow taking the high road. I hope you will come to see that you were wrong to do so.” That comment received a reply from someone else who added, “So unnecessary & cruel.”
Additional comments continued to highlight frustration. One person wrote, “Your last 5 paragraphs were unnecessary. Perhaps someone struggling with personal growth deserves more KINDNESS. You, especially [sic] must appreciate that.” Another said simply, “Beyond cruel dude.”
Some questioned his motives, with one person stating, “Seems like you don’t love her as much as you say. Why would you print anything about her? What value did you earn from discussing her at all?” Others called out the tone more directly, “Petty and passive aggressive [sic]!”
Meanwhile, Goodnough’s post remains up, continuing to stir discussion and criticism across social media.
As reported previously, Goodnough and Bertinelli broke up around November 2024, and our AmoMama readers were convinced they knew why.
When we made a post on Facebook disclosing the fact that they ended their relationship, our readers flooded the post’s comment section with speculative opinions.
Many believe that the duo split because Bertinelli can’t get over her late ex-husband and father of her son, iconic musician Eddie Van Halen. “She is still in love with Eddie! ❤️🙏❤️” asserted a reader, while another remarked, “Nobody will ever replace Eddie.”
Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli at the NBC TCA in Pasadena, California in 1994. | Source: Getty Images
Echoing the sentiment, someone else added, “Its [sic] hard to get over your true love.” “I feel like Ed was her soul mate, no one will ever match up,” agreed another reader.
Jumping on the Van Halen-and-Bertinelli-forever bandwagon, an observer opined, “She’ll never love anyone like she loved Eddie ❤️🙏.”
Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli at the City of Hope event in Universal City, California in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
However, going against the consensus, an AmoMama reader chastised, “Stop living in the past. He’s gone!!” Coming up with a different reason as to why the cookbook author and Goodnough ended things, someone else suggested, “He was the transition relationship they usually don’t work out. She will meet someone.”
While the aforementioned commentary is largely speculative, a past interview from 2022 reveals how deep Bertinelli’s love for Van Halen is.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen during the Wrap Party for “One Day At A Time” in California in 1983. | Source: Getty Images
In the interview, the TV star spoke to Hoda Kotb about Van Halen’s passing and their relationship. After Kotb asked the actress what she thinks Van Halen’s death taught her, a teary-eyed Bertinelli disclosed, “Love.”
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen at the APLA 6th Commitment to Life Concert Benefit in Universal City, California in 1992. | Source: Getty Images
“If there’s nothing else in this world, go back to that key point that you know that you have inside you, that you know that you feel for the people that are closest to you […] Love always wins, no matter what. Even when they’re gone, there’s still that love there to be grateful for that you had,” continued Bertinelli.
Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen. | Source: Getty Images
While she was honest about how their relationship was not always sunshine and rainbows, Bertinelli noted that closer to the time of Van Halen’s passing, the two were able to find their “way back to love and forgiveness.”
Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli at the premiere of “America’s Sweethearts” in Los Angeles, California on July 17, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
As she wiped away tears from her eyes, Bertinelli admitted, “I wish he hadn’t died after that, it would have been nice to spend more time with him, but yeah, I was grateful that we had that.”
After her marriage to Van Halen ended, Bertinelli found love again — this time with financial planner Tom Vitale. Following a few years of dating, the two tied the knot in January 2011.
Tom Vitale and Valerie Bertinelli at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony held in California on August 22, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
However, things turned sour for the pair, which ultimately led Bertinelli to file for legal separation in November 2021 due to “irreconcilable differences.” Their divorce, which Bertinlli was happy about, was finalized on November 22, 2022.
Valerie Bertinelli and Tom Vitale at the New York Cares Coat Drive in New York City on November 30, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
From there, Valerie Bertinelli went on a journey of self-discovery and healing, during which she discovered troubling messages from her ex. Although this period was difficult for the star, she did not allow herself to stay down for too long.
Just when she was resolute in leading a single life with her son, dog, and cats, love came knocking on Bertinelli’s door once again.
The cookbook author revealed her then-new relationship in April. In an exclusive interview with People, she disclosed the unexpected turn her life took.
“I’m in love,” announced Bertinelli. “It’s a seesaw of emotions because I was adamant I was never falling in love again. I was supposed to die with my six cats and my dog, and very happily live the rest of my years alone — I’m good alone.”
This romance began suddenly, in a thoroughly modern way. She first connected with Goodnough on Instagram a few years ago when he slid “into her DMs.”
They initially had a platonic friendship, but it gradually evolved into something more because she’d found something in him that “felt familiar.” “It’s crazy the comfort level,” Bertinelli shared. “It feels incredibly right.”
At the time, the East Coast writer garnered positive comments on his personal Instagram. One user wrote, “Those eyes.” Another person added, “[…] Nice eyes/shirt combination.” Unfortunately, the joy felt by fans came to an end after the couple announced their split.
On November 5, a source confirmed to People that Bertinelli and her boyfriend had separated after trying to maintain a long-distance relationship since January. In July, the actress had spoken to the magazine about how hard it had been to adhere to their “three-week rule” of seeing each other.
Regarding this, her now ex-boyfriend had said, “Valerie and I are the only two people with insight into our relationship. Neither of us pays much attention to chatter among people outside of it.”
Bertinelli resides in Los Angeles, while the writer was still on the East Coast throughout their relationship. Although they were both honest about the difficulties of this arrangement, Goodnough highlighted a silver lining: the distance makes their time together even more precious. In several now-deleted Instagram posts, the writer showed these touching moments with Bertinelli.
Furthermore, in June, they took their relationship forward by making their red carpet debut at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. It was Goodnough’s first time at such an event.
While talking to ET, Bertinelli playfully referred to him as a “virgin” on the red carpet and laughed. She also couldn’t contain her admiration for him.
The actress gushed over his qualities, “He’s brilliant. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s talented. Amazing writer. He’s kind. He’s thoughtful. He’s patient with me, God knows I need a lot of patience.”
Goodnough reciprocated the sentiment, praising Bertinelli’s authenticity and kindness. Although it was hard to be apart, the writer maintained a pragmatic outlook on their situation. He compared their long-distance relationship to that of married couples where one partner travels for work.
Regardless of their breakup, many people might be curious about the mysterious man who had entered Bertinelli’s life after her past marriages. Let’s find out more about him!
Who Was Her New Man?
Aside from being a writer, Bertinelli’s now ex-boyfriend is a photographer who uses the online moniker “The Hoarse Whisperer.”
Goodnough, 54, has a background in marketing and communications. Throughout his career, he has worked with many high-profile companies, including AT&T, Verizon, HBO, BMW, and many others.
Back in April 2024, the writer confirmed his relationship with Bertinelli in a post on his Substack, “I am Valerie Bertinelli’s boyfriend… and that may well be among the most surreal sentences I’ve ever pecked out. But it’s true… and nothing about our actual relationship seems surreal. It just seems… good… lucky… a gift.”
Goodnough has been self-employed for over a decade, having left the corporate world just before his son was born. His background in marketing provided him with a unique perspective on celebrities and media, while his career outside entertainment offered a refreshing change for Bertinelli.
One of the most defining aspects of Goodnough’s life is his role as a devoted single father to a teenage son. The writer has been open about prioritizing his parental role above all else, even at the cost of financial stability. He explained this in a long X thread.
Goodnough spoke about his father’s struggles with depression and the impact it had on his upbringing. Determined to break the cycle, he dedicated himself to being a present and emotionally available parent, and often shares touching moments from his journey as a father on social media.
On Instagram, he recalled the day his son came home from the hospital after a challenging birth. He said it was the “happiest day of my life” and his “happiest anniversary every year since.” He has also posted about everyday moments, like sharing breakfast with his teenager.
