‘One Piece’ Star Joe Manganiello Accuses Sofia Vergara of Mocking Him in New Memoir

Celebrity memoirs often come with a few carefully curated headlines, but few spark as much discussion before their release as Joe Manganiello’s ‘Bloodlines’. This book delves into themes of survival, family history, and a health crisis he kept under wraps for years. Early excerpts have shifted the focus from his medical journey to the intricacies of his marriage.

The 49-year-old actor spent seven years battling a series of autoimmune-related illnesses that impacted his thyroid, digestive system, skin, lungs, and eyes, leaving doctors puzzled. He lost 60 lbs, and an emergency surgery in 2016 resulted in part of his intestines being removed, leading him to rely on an ostomy bag.

This brings us to a widely circulated passage online. In an excerpt shared by People, Manganiello claims that his then-wife, Sofia Vergara, mocked him for adopting a 5-lb chihuahua in 2019, a decision he made while grappling with suicidal thoughts.

Manganiello notes that the dog, named Bubbles, transformed his role in the household, shifting him from being the patient to the caretaker. For him, Bubbles provided a sense of purpose during a time when he desperately needed it.

He also alleges that Vergara refused to embrace him, even when he pleaded for affection, describing their marriage as emotionally vacant during his most challenging moments. These are his personal reflections, and Vergara has yet to publicly respond to these claims.

The memoir also addresses the public narrative surrounding their split. Vergara previously told the Spanish newspaper El País that their marriage ended because she did not want to be an older mother, while Manganiello has disputed this account, labeling it untrue in a July 2024 interview with Men’s Journal.

In ‘Bloodlines’, he reveals that his desire for a child diminished due to his health struggles. He also mentions that falsehoods were circulated about him, presenting the memoir as an opportunity to set the record straight.

The couple announced their separation in July 2023 after seven years of marriage, with Manganiello filing for divorce on July 19, 2023, and the process reportedly concluding in February 2024.

Focusing solely on the Vergara narrative would overlook the broader themes of the book. Manganiello describes ‘Bloodlines’ as his untold story of survival, chronicling a quest for answers that took him around the world and back through his family history. When traditional medicine failed to provide clarity, he sought guidance from shamans, pagan rituals, ancient myths, and long-lost family records.

This journey also connects him to his Armenian heritage, including his great-grandmother Terviz Darakjian, a survivor of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The memoir intertwines illness, masculinity, faith, and inherited trauma as interconnected narratives. He previously shared with People that this period was the most brutally challenging of his life, yet also his greatest adventure.

Manganiello states he is now symptom-free, which lends a hopeful perspective to the memoir despite its darker themes. He has also moved forward in his personal life, announcing his engagement to Caitlin O’Connor in October 2025, with a photo featuring the couple alongside Bubbles.

This detail provides a subtle sense of closure. The same chihuahua he credits with helping him through his darkest days now plays a part in a happier chapter of his life.

‘Bloodlines’ is set to be released on October 13, and the complete text will reveal how central the Vergara material is to the narrative and how much it is part of a larger story. Readers will also gain a deeper understanding of the illness that lies at the book’s core. Whether Vergara will respond publicly remains an open question as the release approaches.

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