Valerie Bertinelli’s recent Instagram activity has stirred speculation among fans, but her ex-boyfriend, Mike Goodnough, insists the narrative being built around it is missing the truth.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram on April 1, Goodnough—known to many online as the “Hoarse Whisperer”—addressed the rumors swirling around their split and strongly defended Bertinelli, clarifying that her recent social media reflections have been personal, not targeted.
“She’s in a war with her ghosts, not with me,” Goodnough wrote. “And those ghosts are relentless.”
His post came just days after Bertinelli shared what some interpreted as veiled messages about heartbreak. In one Instagram Story, she reflected on a painful breakup that had left her grieving. Though never naming Goodnough, the timing and tone led to online chatter about whether the two were engaged in a passive-aggressive exchange.
Goodnough responded not with defensiveness, but compassion. “There’s been a lot of noise about Valerie and me over the last couple of weeks. People looking for villainy where there is none,” he said. “She’s dealing with things bigger than a breakup.”
He went on to describe Bertinelli as someone navigating complex emotional terrain, praising her vulnerability and bravery in confronting her past. “She’s climbing out of a hole that was dug long before I came into her life,” he added, making clear that their relationship was not the root cause of her current emotional pain.
The two began dating publicly last year and became a source of inspiration for many fans who admired their openness about finding love later in life. When news broke in March that they had quietly split, followers were surprised—and some projected their own assumptions onto the couple’s digital footprints.
Goodnough urged people not to read too much into what’s shared online. “No cryptic messages. No subtweets. No hidden meanings,” he said. “Sometimes people are just hurting. That’s all it is.”
He closed his message with support and understanding, saying he still wishes Bertinelli healing and happiness. “Valerie is a remarkable person. She deserves peace. I hope she finds it.”