In a world of “safe” 60-somethings, Valerie Bertinelli just threw a blonde grenade into our social feeds. The “fizzing” shock of her recent selfie—a high-fashion, butter-blonde transformation courtesy of celebrity stylist Chris Appleton—was the ultimate “New hair who dis?” moment of playfulness. At 65, Valerie wasn’t just trying on a new shade; she was staging a refreshing rebellion against the pressure to fade into the background. For a few glorious hours, the “blonde bombshell” look offered a spark of self-renewal that reminded us all: it’s never too late to play dress-up.
But because she is the queen of relatable transparency, the glamour quickly gave way to the “out of this world” reality of being a woman in a wig. Valerie took to her Instagram Stories to document a hilarious, silent battle with a forest of hairpins and high-tech glue. “I have no idea how to get this off,” she quipped, tugging at the golden locks while her natural brunette roots waited patiently underneath. Watching a Hollywood fixture struggle with her own “Chris Appleton masterpiece” felt less like celebrity content and more like a FaceTime call from your best friend after a particularly ambitious night out.
This playful detour into blonde territory only deepened her “beyond competition” commitment to the truth. Contrast the Appleton glamour with her “no-filter” videos, where she proudly displays gray roots and natural skin to the internet’s “root police.” For Valerie, the wig wasn’t a mask; it was a choice made with patient discernment. She knows she can enjoy the $10,000 hairpiece on a Monday and return to the “real me” on Tuesday, anchored by the wisdom that her value isn’t tied to a bottle of dye or a perfect camera angle.
That same bold and beautiful energy was on full display when she addressed critics of her recent lingerie photos. In an industry that often tries to shrink women as they age, Valerie’s assertion that “self-judgment is the only one that matters” is the heart of her 2026 philosophy. She’s no longer the people-pleaser she was at 20; she’s a woman who looks at her lumps, bumps, and wrinkles with simple appreciation. By refusing to apologize for her form, she has reclaimed her personal power from the lens of the critic and handed it back to the woman in the mirror.
Ultimately, Valerie Bertinelli’s true “luxurious” strength isn’t her ability to pull off a platinum wave—it’s her unapologetic self-love. Whether she is exploring a new frequency as a blonde or advocating for the beauty of a brunette life, she remains our most authentic industry fixture. She teaches us that while hair glue and high-end styling are fun, the best accessory anyone can wear is their own truth. In the messy middle of life, Valerie is proof that the most stylish thing you can be is yourself.