Actress Valerie Bertinelli, who co-hosted the Food Network Kids Baking Championship with Duff Goldman, said in a lengthy Instagram video that she will no longer be participating.
“It hurt my feelings and I know it shouldn’t have happened,” she said. “I realize this is business, of course. Budget cuts, huh?”
Bertinelli has made no secret of how much the show has meant to her, especially the current season.
She was fired on Friday after “talks stalled” when she and her team “decided they wanted more” to continue their journey on the show.
“[Food Network] decided not to renew her contract when it expired. Another insider said, “Valerie wanted to continue, but they didn’t make a new offer.”
Bertinelli went through a divorce from her ex-husband Tom Vitale during the production of the current season and felt productive and that she was making the world a better place by being on the show.
Bertinelli described the show as “like a flotation device” during what she described as her “peak year of hell”, adding: “Without sounding like a drama queen, the show saved my life.”
“So it hurts that I won’t be able to come back and see everyone and say, ‘Hey, I made it,'” she said.
After hosting the program since its debut season in 2015, Bertinelli went on to praise her co-host and the “really amazing people” she’s worked with over the previous 12 seasons.
“To all the bakers coming out for the new season, even though I won’t be there, I will be with you in spirit,” the Hot in Cleveland star concluded the video.
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In a heartwarming farewell, actress Valerie Bertinelli has announced her departure from the Food Network’s *Kids Baking Championship* after being informed that her contract will not be renewed. Her emotional video conveyed the deep connection she had with the show, which she described as a lifeline during a particularly challenging time in her life, especially after her recent divorce. Bertinelli expressed her disappointment at the budget cuts that led to her departure and emphasized how the show gave her meaning and community amid personal turmoil.
During her tenure since the show’s inception in 2015, Bertinelli has developed a lasting bond with her co-host Duff Goldman and the talented bakers who have participated. Despite her absence in the upcoming season, she assured viewers that she will be rooting for the new contestants from afar. Reflecting the meaningful experiences and connections made over the years, Bertinelli’s message resonated with fans and colleagues alike, demonstrating the profound impact of her time on the show. With her passing, the era of the *Kids Baking Championship* ends and leaves behind valuable memories for participants and viewers.