Joe Manganiello has responded after his ex-wife, Sofía Vergara, shared a social media post originally published by her son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, comparing the traits of a good man with those of a narcissistic man. The actor addressed the post during an appearance on CBS Mornings on Monday, 12 October, as he discussed his upcoming memoir, Bloodlines. Asked about the apparent social media reaction to revelations about his marriage, Manganiello encouraged people to read his account before reaching conclusions about his experiences.
'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,' Manganiello told presenter Gayle King. He also described the memoir as a story about survival and hope, rather than an attempt to criticise his former wife publicly.
Manolo Shares Post About Narcissistic Men
The discussion began after Manolo, Vergara's 35-year-old son from her previous marriage to Joe Gonzalez, shared an Instagram Story featuring a chart contrasting the characteristics of a 'good man' with those of a 'narcissistic man'. The graphic described behaviours associated with each category, including setting boundaries on one side and gaslighting on the other. Manolo added a message about relationships with narcissists, suggesting that their partners' efforts would never be enough and that they could still be portrayed as the ones at fault.
Vergara subsequently reposted her son's content to her own Instagram Story. The posts attracted attention as excerpts from Manganiello's memoir circulated, prompting speculation about whether the social media activity was connected to his account of their marriage.
Neither the post nor Vergara's repost explicitly named Manganiello. The actress has not publicly confirmed that the content was directed at her former husband, so its intended target remains unconfirmed.
Manganiello Says Memoir Details His Suffering
Manganiello's memoir, Bloodlines, details his battle with a serious autoimmune illness and the impact his health struggles had on his life and marriage. In excerpts released ahead of the book's publication on 13 October, the actor described a difficult period in which he experienced severe physical symptoms, underwent emergency surgery and faced uncertainty about his recovery.
He also discussed the emotional consequences of the illness and how it affected his relationship with Vergara. According to Manganiello's account, the marriage became emotionally distant during this period.
The actor has said that including details about the relationship was necessary to explain what he experienced and how he eventually worked towards recovery. However, he stressed during his interview with King that the central purpose of the memoir was not to assign blame.
'I try to paint everyone with an amount of grace, no matter who they are,' he said, adding that the subject was nuanced and not something he wanted to continue discussing through social media. Manganiello's comments came as the book brought renewed attention to the former couple's differing accounts of the end of their marriage.
Exes Offer Different Accounts of Split
Manganiello and Vergara announced their separation in July 2023 after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised in 2024. At the time, Vergara publicly discussed their differing views about having children as a factor in the relationship ending. She had previously spoken about not wanting to become a mother again, while Manganiello had expressed an interest in fatherhood.
In his memoir, however, Manganiello offers a different perspective on the circumstances surrounding that decision. He explains that his health problems influenced his thinking about having children and describes how the illness affected their relationship.
His account has prompted renewed discussion about the reasons behind the separation, particularly as the memoir includes personal details about their marriage that have not previously received the same level of public attention. The two accounts reflect differing perspectives on the relationship. Manganiello's memoir describes his experiences, while Vergara's social media activity, by itself, does not establish her response to each specific claim.
Bloodlines Focuses on Health, Recovery and Hope
With Bloodlines, Manganiello draws attention to a serious health crisis that he says changed his outlook on life. The memoir explores his illness, the physical challenges of treatment and the emotional strain he experienced while attempting to recover.
His response to the discussion surrounding Vergara's repost also made clear that he wants readers to consider the broader context of his story rather than interpret the book solely through the lens of their divorce. The actor's remarks on CBS Mornings came shortly before the memoir's scheduled release, placing his personal account of illness and recovery at the centre of the publicity surrounding the book.
Meanwhile, Vergara and Manolo's social media posts have fuelled discussion about the former couple's relationship, although neither explicitly identified Manganiello as the subject of the content. Manganiello has directed readers towards Bloodlines for his account of the experiences he describes, while the meaning behind Vergara's repost remains unconfirmed.
