Valerie Bertinelli’s Ex-Boyfriend Explains Their ‘Complicated Relationship,’ Igniting Mixed Reactions

Mike Goodnough and actress Valerie Bertinelli ended their relationship several months back. In response to a recent report about tension between them, he shared a detailed message on Instagram addressing the matter.

Goodnough admitted, “Writing this post makes me absolutely miserable But it feels like something I have to do [sic].”

“A couple weeks ago, there was an ado about conflict between Valerie and I that ended up in the press. A post of mine here was the cause of it. I regret having posted it. I wish I hadn’t. The issue addressed was real. My post made it worse rather than better,” he explained.

Goodnough went on to describe their “complicated relationship.” Though they had separated months earlier, he shared that their close communication only stopped recently, making the split feel more recent than it appeared.

The post ignited a flurry of responses from fans. One commenter urged Bertinelli, “Don’t take him back, he wants money.” Another chimed in, “Eddie VanHalen was probably her one true soulmate. If she’s looking for someone like him, she will have a hard time.”

While some messages showed sympathy for Bertinelli, others took aim at Goodnough, questioning his choice to speak publicly. Many urged him to stay silent about the breakup.

“Be a man and keep quiet,” one comment read, with others sharing similar views. One user remarked, “He’s acting like it was 10 years instead of 10 months,” while another bluntly noted, “Kind of figured it wouldn’t last.” Amid the criticism, a different voice broke through, saying, “Wow he is so good looking!”

Following the wave of reactions to his public statements, Goodnough found himself at the center of a growing online storm.

Last month, he posted a lengthy message on Instagram that ignited attention. While aiming to shut down rumors about their online interactions, the post included remarks about Bertinelli that some considered hurtful.

His denial of using social media to send hidden messages stood out — the writer claimed that he is “very capable of communicating openly and directly with people I know and care about.” Despite tensions, Goodnough expressed continued affection for Bertinelli and said he wished her well, remembering how proud he was during the release of her book one year prior.

But the tone shifted when he accused her of misreading his recent posts and seeing slights that, according to him, were never there. His post, already stirring public attention, took a sharper turn as he elaborated on his frustrations with how things had unfolded.

Goodnough claimed that the “Food Network” alum had been “playing a one-woman tennis match thinking there is someone on the other side of the net,” misreading his posts as personal attacks. He insisted he was not engaging with her online and dismissed talk of any ongoing feud:

“She just won’t stop shooting. Valerie is in a war with her ghosts. I’m just the guy who catches the bullets.”

Though the writer framed his remarks as coming from a place of concern, many did not see it that way. One Instagram user called the post “classless,” while another said they were “surprised and horrified” by what they read, criticizing him for ending the message with “that last, very mean, section about Valerie.”

Others kept it brief, with one comment simply stating, “This is upsetting.” As backlash mounted, critics became more vocal, challenging not just the content of Goodnough’s message but the intention behind it.

One user confronted him directly, “Your post did not show love. I’m sad for you that you thought being this vicious, publicly, was somehow taking the high road.” Another echoed the sentiment, calling it “so unnecessary & cruel.”

The reactions continued. “Your last 5 paragraphs were unnecessary,” one comment read, urging more kindness, especially from someone who had also faced personal struggles. Others didn’t hold back, with one describing the message as “beyond cruel” and another adding, “petty and passive aggressive [sic]!”

Some questioned why he brought Bertinelli into the spotlight at all. “Seems like you don’t love her as much as you say,” one person remarked, asking what benefit he gained from speaking about her. Although the post initially remained visible, Goodnough eventually removed it.

Goodnough’s initial remarks about his split from Bertinelli quickly drew widespread notice, opening the door to intense online chatter. His later attempt to address the situation added fuel to the fire rather than easing tensions.

Critics took issue with his approach, calling it harsh and uncalled for. Although both statements were eventually removed, the uproar they caused still lingers.