When Valerie Bertinelli split from Tom Vitale in 2022, it seemed like she was ready to close the book on romance. The One Day at a Time star even admitted she thought she'd sworn off love for good. But sometimes, life has a way of surprising you. In March 2024, Valerie introduced the world to her new flame, although his identity remained under wraps for a bit longer. By April, the mystery was solved, and we learned his name: Mike Goodnough. Unfortunately, their love story didn’t last forever, but their whirlwind romance left quite the impression.
Who Is Valerie Bertinelli’s Former Flame, Mike Goodnough?
It all started when Valerie and Mike were spotted leaving The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2024. At first, Valerie played coy, teasing fans with a photo on Threads where she joked they were "hiding in plain sight." But curiosity got the better of everyone, and fans quickly sleuthed out that Mike's social media username was Hoarse Whisperer. Eventually, Mike stepped into the spotlight and revealed himself as Mike Goodnough.
Mike didn’t shy away from sharing his feelings in an essay via Substack. “The rumor is true,” he confessed. “Valerie and I are together, and have been for a while now. I am Valerie Bertinelli’s boyfriend—and that may well be among the most surreal sentences I’ve ever typed. But it’s true. And nothing about our actual relationship feels surreal. It just feels… good… lucky… a gift.”
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Mike’s Substack writings also gave us a glimpse into his personal life. He’s reinventing himself as a writer in what he calls an "absurdly belated run." But beyond his newfound passion for writing, Mike is a proud father to a son he’s openly gushed about on X. In a heartfelt 2019 post, Mike wrote, “I’ve been blessed with a good son. He’s the kind of kid who boxed up his outgrown toys at Christmas so less fortunate kids could have a Christmas too. He’s a kid who donated half his Halloween candy to troops overseas.”
Before officially confirming their relationship, Mike gave subtle hints to his followers. Photos of magazines featuring Valerie on the cover and shots of him reading her latest cookbook, Indulge, were clues that something was brewing between the two.
When Did Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough Begin Their Journey?
Valerie first hinted at her new relationship in March 2024. In an interview with USA Today published on March 13, she expressed her gratitude. “I’ve met someone. And I’m incredibly grateful for him,” she shared. “It’s unlike any relationship I’ve ever experienced with a man. I wasn’t expecting it, but I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have met him!”
By April 2024, Valerie was glowing about Mike. “It was strictly platonic at first, but there was something about him that I connected with. It felt familiar,” she told People. The Hot in Cleveland star went on to say that their comfort level with each other was something special. “It felt incredibly right,” she added.
The Long-Distance Love Affair
Living on opposite coasts didn’t stop Valerie and Mike from making their relationship work. They established what they called the "three-week rule," ensuring they never went more than three weeks without seeing each other. A source exclusively told Closer on April 15, 2024, that Valerie wasn’t fond of long-distance romances and was considering moving closer to Mike.
“She’s not talking marriage—yet—but she is considering moving closer to him,” the source revealed. “She loves California, but a home on the East Coast would make life easier.”
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Valerie Bertinelli and Mike Goodnough's Bittersweet Farewell
In November 2024, Mike’s Instagram posts hinted at trouble brewing in their relationship. Quotes like, “If you can go a whole day without talking to me, then go another,” and “If someone is fine without you, then let them be fine without you,” sparked speculation. A few days later, a source confirmed to People on November 5, 2024, that Valerie and Mike had parted ways after ten months together.
“They are no longer in a relationship,” the source stated. While their love story came to an end, it’s clear that their time together meant a lot to both of them.
