Valerie Bertinelli Reveals How Bonnie Franklin Inspired Her Journey to Therapy Amidst the Challenges of Child Stardom
Valerie Bertinelli has shared her experiences with the challenges she encountered in Hollywood as a young actor on One Day at a Time.
Starting her career in the entertainment industry as a child actor, Bertinelli achieved early success when she joined the cast of the CBS sitcom at just 15 years old. However, navigating life in the spotlight proved to be difficult, and the two-time Golden Globe winner revealed that she sought guidance from her “mom on TV,” the late Bonnie Franklin.
“I finally went to Bonnie when I turned 20,” she shared during a Wednesday appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. “I said, ‘I’m struggling.’”
Franklin recognized Bertinelli’s struggles and encouraged her to seek professional help. “[Franklin] sent me to a psychiatrist, she sent me to a therapist — my mom on TV,” Bertinelli recalled.
In One Day at a Time, Franklin portrayed Ann Romano, a single mother to two daughters, Barbara (played by Bertinelli) and Julie, who was portrayed by Mackenzie Phillips. The series aired for nearly a decade and earned Franklin an Emmy nomination for her role in 1982.
Bertinelli’s reflections on her early acting career arose after host Drew Barrymore highlighted Ariana Grande’s advocacy for studios and record labels to include therapy in contracts for young talent. Grande, who gained fame after starring in Nickelodeon’s Victorious and later achieved massive success with her 2013 hit “The Way,” has been vocal about the importance of mental health for child stars.
Months earlier, Grande expressed her hopes for future contracts to explicitly include provisions for “therapy multiple times a week and a support system.”
“I’ve talked about the protective measures that I think should be in place,” Grande stated in February. “I dream of a world where you can’t enter the entertainment industry without having [therapy] included in your contract, whether it’s with the record label or the production company.”
Bertinelli endorsed Grande’s views, stating, “Ariana is absolutely spot-on. I think people need that support, absolutely.”
Related Posts
- Celebrated Subway Star Alice Tan Ridley, Who Captivated NYC Before Becoming a Recording Artist, Passes Away at 72
- Warner Bros. Fights Back Against Diddy's Push for Unedited Documentary Interview Tapes
- Tracy Morgan Celebrates His Comeback at Knicks Game Following Memorable Vomiting Episode
- Music and Entertainment Leaders Unite: Open Letter Champions the "No Fakes" Bill
- Anjelica Huston Celebrates Health Milestone: "I'm in the Clear" After Conquering Cancer Battle Four Years Ago
