Jennie Garth has opened up about her relationship with Shannen Doherty, her former co-star.
Jennie Garth regrets her rivalry with Shannen Doherty.
The actress died from cancer in July 2024, aged 53, and her former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star has now expressed her regret over their feud.
Garth, 54, told People: “I think we were both in the same position, really thrust into the spotlight, and we were written as characters to be against each other. That translated into the media and into the audience and then into the world’s perception of our relationship.
“And that, in turn, was confusing for both of us, I think.”
Jennie said the rivalry was fuelled from outside.
The actress shared: “It really dawned on me it wasn’t just us. This energy was coming at us from everywhere and pitting us against each other.”
Jennie feels that the tension made for better TV, but it also came at a cost.
She said: “It was a better story for the show. And I just realised how terrible that was, how terrible it was to put us in that position. Nobody was guiding us. Nobody was getting therapy then. Nobody was talking to us about things. We were both just fending for ourselves.
“We were doing the best we could. And sometimes strong women will clash, especially when they’re young and uneducated about friendship and the importance of it.”
Despite everything, Jennie remains grateful for what Shannen taught her.
The actress admitted that they had a “complicated” relationship, but she learned “a lot of really good things” from her former co-star.
She said: “At the end of the day, we really did have a respect for one another as strong women who have lasted a long time in this industry. And she taught me a lot. She taught me a lot of really good things about being strong, standing up for myself, using my voice. And I’m forever grateful for her and for the relationship that we had.
“Even though at times it was complicated, it was still really good.”
Jennie Garth recalls ‘confusing’ Shannen Doherty rivalry
