Ricki Lake is reveling in the “best” times of her life, as she recently shared a candid selfie on Instagram. In the photo, the 54-year-old former talk show host is seated in an outdoor tub, surrounded by towering redwood trees, radiating joy in her nudity.

In her Instagram caption, Lake expresses gratitude for her current phase of life at 54 1/2 years old, highlighting her journey toward complete self-acceptance and self-love. She shares the sentiment that these days are truly the best of her life.

Lake’s path to self-love began in 2019 but only became public in 2022. She opened up by sharing an intimate video in December 2022, revealing her struggle with androgenetic alopecia, the cause of her hair loss, over the past 30 years. In the video, Lake, who shaved her head, acknowledges her journey to peace, liberation, and, most importantly, self-love and self-acceptance.

Since shaving her head, Lake’s hair has regrown, and she has embraced having a “natural gray and sometimes wild unruly head of hair.” She encourages others facing struggles to find peace and acceptance, recognizing that life is too short.

While some online users found the photo inappropriate, Lake remains undeterred. She didn’t respond to comments critiquing her choice to share a near-nude photo, indicating a nonchalant attitude towards differing opinions. Lake’s perspective seems to be rooted in the belief that individuals can choose to follow creators they appreciate and respect their freedom to share personal expressions.

What are your thoughts on Ricki Lake’s decision to share this image online?