You win some, you lose some. One Food Network show nearly lost a ton of viewers after replacing a popular host. Now, the controversial Food Network star opened up about online criticism and what led to a significant weight loss. Keep reading for all the details.
Food Network Star Speaks Out After Online Backlash
Television shows change hosts all the time. The change is often jarring for viewers, who then take their thoughts online to vent. Food Network unexpectedly replaced Valerie Bertinelli in 2024. The actress and foodie hosted the show for 12 seasons.
Kardea Brown has a long history with the Food Network, appearing on multiple shows over the years, including Delicious Miss Brown. She joined Duff Goldman as host of the children’s baking competition. Viewers took to social media after the announcement to share their reactions.
- “I will miss Valerie and I’m still a bit mystified about why Food Network moved away from her.”
- “Never should have gotten rid of Val. She was perfect in that role.”
- “I still say it was a mistake to get rid of just Val. Duff should have been fired too if Val was.”
- “I’m really going to miss Valerie. She had a wonderful rapport with the children. Her maternal instincts would kick in when she talked to them in times of stress, and they’d always end up feeling better. I wonder how the show will do without her.”
- “Nothing against her but it won’t be the same without Valerie”
Many Food Network fans weren’t happy with the sudden change. In a new interview with PEOPLE magazine, Kardea Brown addressed the surprising backlash.
“You kind of know, being in the public eye, that people are going to have their opinions about you and your life and anything that you do. You could be doing all the best things in your life… and there’s going to be someone that’s going to find something wrong. Let them hate,” she said.
The Food Network star added, “You can feel however you feel about me, but what you won’t do is hurt these children.”
Kardea Brown Opens Up About 45-lb Weight Loss
Kardea Brown also hosts the new show, Baking Championship: Next Gen. In addition to her new hosting roles, she lost a significant amount of weight in recent years. She shared what led her to drop the pounds.
“I didn’t feel like my body belonged to me anymore. I saw pictures of myself and I didn’t recognize myself,” she told the outlet. The Food Network star has lost about 45 pounds by watching what she eats and walking regularly. “Regulating my mood with walking and exercising has helped out a lot.”
Tell us in the comments if you think Food Network fans went too far after the hosting change.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
