Valerie Bertinelli and her boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, have made their relationship Instagram official!
On Saturday, April 20, Bertinelli shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram featuring herself and Goodnough posing for a selfie.
In the picture, Bertinelli is leaning her head on Goodnough's shoulder, and both are wearing similar black glasses.
The celebrity chef captioned the post with lyrics from Taylor Swift's latest track, "So High School," adding, "🎶 I’ll drink what you think and I’m high from smoking’ your jokes all damn night 🎶."
Before Valerie Bertinelli officially revealed their relationship on Instagram, her boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, had already made a playful post on the platform hours earlier to address the growing attention around him.
[Related: Mike Goodnough Speaks Out on Relationship with Valerie Bertinelli.]
In his post, Goodnough humorously reacted to an Entertainment Tonight report announcing him as Bertinelli's new boyfriend. He shared a screenshot from the report, where he appeared to cringe while watching it in bed, particularly when they mentioned his name. To add to the humor, the word "Ooof" was overlaid on the screen.
Goodnough captioned his post, "Welp, so much for the staying anonymous thing. So, uh, hi… I guess. 👋."
In the comments section, Bertinelli joined in on the fun by posting a GIF of an actor laughing, highlighting their playful dynamic on social media.
When did Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough reveal they were dating?
In March, Valerie Bertinelli shared that she was "in love" with someone but decided not to reveal his identity at the time. A few weeks later, writer Mike Goodnough confirmed on his Substack, "Hoarse Whisperings," that he and Bertinelli were in a relationship.
In his announcement, Goodnough wrote, “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.”
He reflected on the ups and downs of life, adding, “Life is crazy, kids. It just is. It’ll rain hellfire down on you for years and bring you to your knees… and then it’ll open the skies to deep blue and love and calling someone ‘Honey’ because you just love the absolute hell out of her and feel so very thankful for the gift of that feeling, the gift of her.”
He concluded with, “So, the little rumor going around, consider it happily confirmed. I just adore her. I’m so glad we’re together.”
Before this big reveal, Goodnough addressed the tabloid rumors suggesting that he and the former "One Day At a Time" star were romantically involved. He mentioned that he asked for Bertinelli's permission before confirming their relationship on his Substack. After he shared the news on Instagram, Bertinelli reposted it as an Instagram Story.
In his Substack, Goodnough described how he met Bertinelli at a suburban New Jersey Panera, where they were both part of the Sip Club. He wrote, “Who should I see topping off their dark roast ahead of me? Valerie Bertinelli. Turns out she enjoys getting her morning coffee there too despite it being 2,500 miles from her home and not particularly good coffee.” They struck up a conversation, and now both are in the Sip Club. He added, “I don’t know… It just feels right.”
Goodnough then shared how he joked with Bertinelli about the tabloid rumors. He called her to ask, “I know this is going to sound weird but… there is apparently a rumor going around that you and I are… romantically involved. I know. Where do they get this stuff? But it was apparently in a couple gossip mags today. Not sure if you are aware or care…”
To which she replied, "It’s true. I totally am. You’re my boyfriend."
Additionally, Goodnough posted a photo of himself with Bertinelli’s cats, hinting at more details in his upcoming "The Last Dance" Substack series post.
Who is Valerie Bertinelli's boyfriend Mike Goodnough?
Mike Goodnough is a writer based on the East Coast who described himself in his relationship reveal post as a “guy who abruptly ‘decided to be a writer’ a little over a year ago.” His writing often explores themes of life, loss, love, joy, grief, and hardship, with an emphasis on overcoming challenging times. Goodnough stated, “I write a lot about life and loss and love; joy and grief; hardship, long tunnels with little light on the other side … and then making it through them.”
He mentions that his openness in writing encourages others to be equally candid in the comments section. On his Instagram, Goodnough revealed that he is also a father to a 16-year-old son.
It seems Goodnough had subtly hinted at his relationship with Valerie Bertinelli before the official reveal. In an April 8 Instagram post, he is seen reading a magazine featuring the TV personality on the cover, indicating that there was something more between them. This post, along with other subtle clues, provided fans with glimpses of the budding romance before it became public knowledge.
On April 6, Mike Goodnough shared a photo of a magazine rack with Valerie Bertinelli's People cover prominently displayed in the center. He humorously captioned the post, “Just browsing the magazine rack. As one does,” hinting at his connection to the celebrity chef without explicitly stating it.
His Instagram reflects his diverse interests, including birdwatching. Goodnough frequently posts photos of various bird species he comes across during his outdoor excursions. The blend of personal insights and his passion for nature provides his followers with a glimpse into his life and the activities he enjoys.
What has Valerie Bertinelli said about her boyfriend, Mike Goodnough?
Valerie Bertinelli has not publicly identified her boyfriend by name, but in an interview with People, she acknowledged that she's “in love.” This admission marked a significant change for Bertinelli, who divorced her husband, Tom Vitale, in 2022 after 11 years of marriage. In the interview, she shared her surprise at falling in love again, saying, “It’s a seesaw of emotions because I was adamant I was never falling in love again.”
Bertinelli had planned to spend her life with her pets, expecting to live out her years with her six cats and her dog. “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,” she said. The idea of finding love again wasn't something she anticipated, as she shared with People, “My belly is flip-flopping. This was not supposed to happen.”
According to Bertinelli, she and her new partner, writer Mike Goodnough, initially became friendly through Instagram a few years ago, maintaining a strictly platonic relationship at first. She explained that there was something familiar about him, leading to a sense of comfort. This connection eventually grew into something deeper earlier this year. “It feels incredibly right,” Bertinelli said. “I found joy first, and then a man entered my life.”