Jennie Garth details ‘messy’ feud with late Shannen Doherty as she dishes on Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars

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In her new memoir, I Choose Me, Jennie Garth shares her honest feelings about her Beverly Hills, 90210 castmates.

Lots of readers will likely head straight to the parts of the book that detail her difficult relationship with Shannen Doherty, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2024 at age 53.

As a longtime fan, it was really sad to see how the rivalry between their characters on the show actually affected them personally. Looking back, Garth has often said that the actresses were deliberately set up to be rivals by the show’s writing, and the media just made things even worse, constantly fueling the conflict.

She admitted they didn’t always handle things perfectly – they were young and often clashed – but despite the disagreements, there was always a quiet understanding and respect between them.

Garth recently spoke about her complicated relationship with Doherty, which ultimately became a friendship before Doherty passed away.

Garth shared that she showed him how to face difficult situations with courage and resilience, and how to assert himself against those who tried to diminish his spirit.

She unknowingly shared the advice to stay calm and confident, and to always trust my gut feelings, she explained.

Losing my friend and colleague, Doherty, was incredibly tough. When he passed, Garth released a statement that really resonated with me. He explained that despite what the public often thought – how we were always portrayed as rivals – our connection was genuinely authentic. We had a deep respect and admiration for each other, and that was the truth behind our relationship. It’s a good reminder that what you see isn’t always what’s real, and holding onto those genuine connections is what truly matters.

‘She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous.’

In her memoir, Garth revealed a surprising confession: she had romantic feelings for her late co-star, Luke Perry, who tragically passed away from a stroke at age 52 in 2019.

She confessed, ‘He was my first love, though I never shared that with anyone, not even myself for a long time. But it’s the truth.’

I’d never felt such a strong connection with anyone before Luke. It was the kind of all-consuming love you experience when you’re young and figuring things out. Our relationship was passionate but also complicated and ultimately unresolved.

The book also shares her thoughts on the strong connection between her and Tori Spelling, a fellow actress from Beverly Hills, 90210, whom she considers a close friend and ‘soul sister’.

Garth shared that he and Tori have become very close friends, likely spending more time together than any other cast members over the years.

We’ve collaborated on projects, started companies, and brainstormed countless ideas – and throughout it all, I always knew we supported each other.

Garth also praised Jason Priestley in his autobiography, describing him as having a consistently supportive and reliable presence on the set of Beverly Hills, 90210 – like an older brother.

Garth shared that he now realizes how much the actor resembled the character he played – he had a way of making everyone around him feel secure and understood. Jason was a steady, grounding presence, always leading with calmness and compassion, and never needing recognition for it. Garth confessed he didn’t fully understand or appreciate that at the time.

He always handled a lot of pressure with grace, and I’m so proud of the husband and father he is today – he brings those same wonderful qualities to his family. We shared so many on-screen kisses, but what I truly cherish is knowing the kind person he is behind the scenes. I love him completely.

I always thought Ian Ziering was just brimming with positivity, and everyone else seemed to agree – he really was ‘joy personified’! It’s been amazing to watch his career, especially after Beverly Hills, 90210, when he totally reinvented himself as the star of the hilariously awesome Sharknado movies. He’s a true pro!

She said he always knows how to make her laugh and gives the best pep talks. He consistently checks in on her and offers encouragement, and she’s really come to depend on their motivational conversations over the years.

Megan Fox’s ex-husband, Brian Austin Green, was considered the youngest member of the group, and I always felt protective towards him.

She fondly recalled how he always made them laugh, especially when he playfully pointed out their goofy behavior. They’d usually realize he was right and end up laughing so hard that their makeup would streak.

Gabrielle Carteris played the role of the grounded and nurturing figure, acting like a ‘mother hen’ to the rest of the cast. She was a bit older and always appeared confident and self-assured, even when others were struggling. She didn’t need praise or reassurance – she simply knew her worth on the show.

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2026-04-14 20:04