Joe Manganiello Addresses Narcissism Claims Amid Memoir Release

Actor Joe Manganiello addressed reactions to a social media post shared by ex-wife Sofía Vergara after she liked a message about narcissistic behavior. He discussed the issue on CBS Mornings on Monday, Oct. 12, while promoting his memoir Bloodlines about his autoimmune disorder and personal recovery.

The post was originally shared by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, Vergara's 35-year-old son, and compared the behavior of a good man with a narcissistic man. Manganiello said the memoir was written to explain his experience rather than define the end of his seven-year marriage.

The Instagram chart included the phrase "narcissistic man", a description referenced in the post shared by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara and later liked by Sofía Vergara.

The same social media post stated: "Remember kids, when dealing with a narcissist, it doesn't matter how much you do for them, because they will resent you for it and nothing will ever be enough, and they'll always somehow try to paint you as the bad guy." The message was shared by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara.

During the CBS Mornings interview, Gayle King asked Manganiello about the online reaction connected to Vergara's post and its apparent implication. King referenced the criticism while asking for his response.

"Her son posted a thing about, 'This is what happens when you deal with a narcissistic man,' and she has liked that post. They appear to be saying that basically, it's terrible what happened to you but the bottom line is that you're a narcissist. What do you say to that?" Gayle King asked Joe Manganiello.

Manganiello responded that readers should understand the purpose of Bloodlines before drawing conclusions. He said the book centers on his health struggle and recovery.

"Well, I think anybody who said that should read the book first and understand what the book is actually about because it's not about that. It's about the suffering I went through." Joe Manganiello said.

Manganiello described Bloodlines as a story about enduring his autoimmune disorder and finding a path forward. He also characterized the memoir as focused on recovery.

"survival and it's also about hope." Joe Manganiello said.

In Bloodlines, Manganiello writes about the end of his marriage to Vergara, which lasted seven years. He said symptoms of his illness began after the couple married in 2015 and affected their relationship.

"become devoid of any emotionality whatsoever." Joe Manganiello wrote in Bloodlines.

Vergara previously explained in 2024 that differing views about having children contributed to the couple's split. She and Manganiello ended their relationship in 2023.

"my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didn't want to be an old mom … I feel it's not fair to the baby. I respect whoever does it, but that's not for me anymore." Sofía Vergara said.

Manganiello later said in an interview with PEOPLE that discussing the separation was necessary to show his physical and mental healing journey. He said the relationship was not the main focus of the memoir.

"not the point of the book," Joe Manganiello said.

"I tell the truth in the book, even when it's super painful." Joe Manganiello said.

Manganiello added that his story contains complexities that cannot be reduced to a short statement. He said Bloodlines was intended to explain his identity and experiences.

"It is [also] nuanced, and it's not something that fits into a sound bite. This book was written because I want people to know who I am, and I had to hide who I was for a very long time." Joe Manganiello said.