The drama between Kelly Taylor and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210 wasn’t entirely scripted.
In real life, series star Jennie Garth and season 5 newbie Tiffani Thiessen also had a hot-and-cold friendship that eventually devolved into frenemies, Garth reveals in her memoir I Choose Me.
Thiessen joined the cast of 90210 in 1994, filling the vacancy left by Shannen Doherty, who departed the teen drama at the end of season 4. In her very first episode, Thiessen’s bad-girl character Valerie became Kelly’s arch-nemesis when she made out with her ex-boyfriend Dylan (Luke Perry).
The season 5 cast of ‘90210’ included newbie Tiffani Thiessen (second from right)
Credit: Everett
Off-screen, Garth reveals she initially had a similar resentment towards Thiessen, who rose to fame as popular cheerleader Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell.
“I immediately felt threatened and competitive,” Garth writes in her book. “Just as I had with many beautiful female costars before. It took me a few days to realize that I was unconsciously perpetuating unhealthy patterns, patterns that our characters played out on the show.”
This time, though, Garth made a conscious decision to break the cycle.
“I apologized to her and told her I didn’t want to be competitive, that I wanted to be her friend,” continues the actress. “And that’s how we became best friends during her years on 90210. It was instinctual to lead with that defensive energy at first, but because Tiffani was forgiving and open to my apology, we were able to build something real.”
Over the next four seasons of 90210, even as their characters continued to have their ups and downs — Valerie hooked up with yet another of Kelly’s exes! — the actresses were unbreakable.
Jennie Garth and Tiffani Thiessen on ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ during season 6
Credit: Paramount+
“We did the rest of the show as best friends,” writes Garth, who appeared on all 10 seasons (Thiessen left during season 9). “Tiffani and I maintained our close friendship after the end of the show, too.”
In 2001, the year after 90210 concluded, Thiessen was a bridesmaid in Garth’s wedding to actor Peter Facinelli, as was fellow costar-turned-friend Tori Spelling.
Tiffani Thiessen and Jennie Garth in 2002
Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage
But by 2012 — the same year Facinelli filed for divorce — the friendship was also fractured. “We had a falling out, and we grew apart,” Thiessen revealed in an interview with Howard Stern. “I was the one who was hurt, let’s just say that.”
For her part, Garth doesn’t reveal in her book what led to the feud, except to confirm: “We’re no longer close.”
Hollywood is big enough for the two of them, however, the actresses have crossed paths over the years since. Once was at an audition; another time was at a 2023 dinner party at Hotel Bel-Air hosted by Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel.
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“While we were friendly, the connection we once shared wasn’t there,” admits Garth. “I’ve come to see that some friendships are meant for a reason or a season, and ours was a meaningful one while it lasted.”
Jennie Garth’s new memoir, I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention, is out now.
‘I Choose Me’ by Jennie Garth
Credit: HarperCollins
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