Tori Spelling Applauds 90210 Costar Shannen Doherty for Being a Rebel
Originally appeared on E! Online
Donna Martin will always be grateful for Brenda Walsh.
Two days after Shannen Doherty died following a nearly decade-long battle with breast cancer, her Beverly Hills, 90210 costar Tori Spelling shared a heartbreaking message expressing how difficult it was to sum up their bond in just a few words.
“F--k them… is what Shan would say if I told her I felt pressure to have to summarize via social media a 36-year relationship,” she wrote in a July 15 Instagram post, “and the grief I feel for a fire who’s flame went out too soon.”
As Tori went on to explain, she’ll never forget the first time they crossed paths.
“I was 15 when Shan and I met,” Tori—whose parents are Aaron Spelling and Candy Spelling—continued. “I was the boss’s daughter with no voice and she was the star with a big voice. She took me under her wing. She gave me the belief I had a voice and was worthy. We became fast best friends. We were each others wing women, true confidantes, support systems navigating bad relationships, roommates of sorts at times, travel buddies, and so much more.”
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In fact, Shannen always “stuck up for” her and had her back.
“Always believed in me when I didn’t or couldn’t believe in myself,” the 51-year-old added. “We were young. We let a lot of outside and inside influences influence our friendship. In a world where we often don’t get to make up with the childhood friendships that formed so much of the adult you become, we got that chance.”
But most of all, it was Shannen’s tenacity that made her unforgettable.
“She was a rebel in an era when most women didn’t feel comfortable being strong,” Tori wrote. “She never tried she just was. She empowered sexiness, strength, 2 f--ks given, empathy, and all topped off with wicked humor! Her sardonic humor was one of my faves.”
The House of Yes star ended her touching tribute with a promise to her late friend. “Shan… I’ll carry the torch on,” she noted. “Take on my power! And, I’ll stay rebellious for you. Love you with all my heart. Always.”
Shortly after Shannen’s passing July 13 at the age of 53, the Charmed alum received tributes from those closest to her including family, friends and other onscreen costars.
Keep reading to see what her loved ones had to say about her legacy.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
“How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship?” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer wrote on Instagram July 15. “I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love. Thank you, for all your kind words and support. I love all the messages about how @theshando was important to you. So let’s honor her.”
Jennie Garth
"I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known," the actress, who played Kelly Taylor, frenemy of Shannen's Brenda Walsh, on 90210, wrote on Instagram. "Our connection was real and honest. We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration."
Shannen, she said, "was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous."
"I will miss her and will always honor her deeply in my heart and in my memories," Jennie continued. "My heart breaks for her family and Bowie [Shannen's dog] and all the people who loved her.
Tori Spelling
"I don't have outwards words yet.," Tori wrote on her Instagram Stories, alongside a selfie of herself and Shannen and several broken heart emojis, "but WE knew and that's what matters."
Jason Priestley
“Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen,” the actor, who played Brandon Walsh, the twin brother of the actress' character Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, expressed on Instagram. “She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”
Brian Austin Green
"Shan. My sister," the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum wrote on his Instagram Stories. "You loved me through everything. You were a big part of my understanding of love. I'll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you."
Gabrielle Carteris
“So young – so sad,” the Beverly Hills, 90210 and former SAG-AFTRA president wrote on Instagram. “May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you."
Carol Potter
The actress-turned-therapist, who played Cindy Walsh, the mother of Shannen and Jason Priestley's twin characters Brenda and Brandon, wrote on Instagram she was "shocked and saddened" by news of her onscreen daughter's death.
"What a journey she has been on!" she wrote. "Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace."
Alyssa Milano
"It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," she said of her Charmed costar in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. "She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her."
Rose McGowan
"A true lion heart," the actress, who replaced Shannen on Charmed in 2001 after she left the series, wrote in a comment on the late star's final Instagram post. "What a warrior. Your daddy is holding his best girl now."
She continued, "Love to your mama, your dog and all who love you fiercely. Love to Holly [Marie Combs]. Love to all of your legions of fans that I know you loved right back. If there was anyone who looked squarely at death and said no thanks, it was you dear Shannen. My head bows to you brave one. All love forever."
Brian Krause
"You showed me what strength is," the actor, who played Leo Wyatt on Charmed, shared on Instagram. "You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose. To know your value and stick to your determination."
"Forever loved!" he added. "Truly heartbroken."
Olivia Munn
"I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty." the Newsroom alum wrote on her Instagram Stories July 14. "When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her. We became instant friends- which I honestly couldn’t comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10."
"We bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women," she continued. "Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me… true to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease."
Olivia concluded her statement with a heartfelt message to her late friend. "Cancer is really f--king scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace," she expressed. "I’m sending all of my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend."
Selma Blair
"Thank you for being here," the actress, who is battling multiple sclerosis, commented on Shannen's final Instagram post. "Thank you for showing us how to keep going. Rebel heart."
Kate Beckinsale
"Love you," the actress wrote in a comment on Shannen's last Instagram post. "Fly high lovely kind sweetheart woman. This hits hard. Your heart,courage and kindness will be so missed."
Viola Davis
"Your bravery and ability to share your Cancer journey left something 'in' people," the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram. "Rest well. God bless your loved ones."
Dean Cain
The actor, who guest starred on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Rick, who Shannen's character Brenda dated briefly after meeting him in Paris, wrote on X, "RIP Shannen," adding a crying emoji.
Kristin Chenoweth
The Wicked star wrote in an Instagram comment, "Fly with the angels sweet precious soul!"
Eric West
"My heart is broken," he wrote on Twitter. "It was a pleasure to meet Shannen Doherty while filming our movie Fortess a little over 2 years ago! She was full of warm energy and positive vibes. So young. So talented. May she rest well."
Dave Coulier
"RIP Shannen Doherty," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. Today, I’ll also think about the women in my life who all succumbed to cancer - my mom, my sister, Sharon and my niece, Shannon, who all were so strong and so beautiful."
Katie Couric
Alongside an article reporting Shannen's passing, the journalist wrote on Instagram, "I'm so sad to hear this news..."
Yvette Nicole Brown
"Such sad news," the Community actress wrote on Twitter. "I was hoping she would beat the disease again."
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