Scheana Shay Shares Shocking Revelation: '90210' Casting Directors Pressured Her into Botox at 24 - The Price of Fame
Scheana Shay, an actress known for her brief role in '90210,' reveals shocking advice from casting directors who suggested she undergo Botox at the young age of 24 Her unsettling experience sheds light on the pressure faced by aspiring actors in the entertainment industry
During her "Scheananigans" podcast episode on Friday, August 4, Scheana Shay, 37, shared with guest Shenae Grimes-Beech about her audition process for The CW's 90210 spinoff series, revealing some unexpected advice.
“Actually, the reason I ended up getting Botox was because of the casting directors for 90210. They informed me that my facial expressions were fantastic for Disney, but in order to excel in a more dramatic role, mastering control over my eyebrows was essential,” she reflected. “They assured me that the role was mine. They even provided a callback. However, they also mentioned that a few other girls were being considered because if I couldn't manage my facial features, they wouldn't give me the role. They even suggested, 'Maybe try some Botox.'"
Scheana Shay Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Shay added: “So I started getting Botox and I was like 24 or 25. I thought, ‘I guess this is what I have to do to stop my face from moving.'”
The Vanderpump Rules star, Grimes-Beech, appeared as Cassandra in a single episode of the teen drama series, which was a part of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. 90210 aired from 2008 to 2013 and featured renowned actors like AnnaLynne McCord, Tristan Wilds, Dustin Milligan, Ryan Eggold, Michael Steger, and Lori Loughlin.
Throughout the years, Grimes-Beech has openly discussed the difficulties she faced while being a part of the popular show.
"I believe one way I safeguard my mental well-being is by deliberately erasing significant portions of my life, and the behind-the-scenes experiences of 90210 fall into that category," she exclusively shared with We magazine in 2021. "Occasionally, I have faint recollections of certain moments, but honestly, I doubt my ability to vividly recall specific episodes."
During that period, Grimes-Beech confessed that transitioning away from 90210 proved challenging at first.
"Repositioning ourselves in the public's mind and disassociating from that show has been a lengthy process after it came to an end," she expressed. "During the most crucial years of my life, I became so closely tied to that series, which made it challenging for me to separate my identity from it." She further added, "It took me considerable time to mentally and emotionally process the trauma that ensued from parting ways with that show. However, now I am fully focused on moving forward and upward, leaving the past behind. I have reached a point where I am immensely grateful for that chapter of my life. It holds such a special place in my heart that I firmly believe we shouldn't tamper with something good. It took a long time for it to become positive in my world."
‘90210’ TV series is currently being filmed in Marina Del Rey. Grimes-Beech, along with her husband Josh Beech, has now embraced motherhood and has secured roles in various TV movies such as The Hazing Secret, Date with Love, Newlywed and Dead, and When I Think of Christmas.
The Degrassi alum, however, enjoys spending time with her 90210 castmates whenever possible. Grimes-Beech and former costar McCord recently reunited for their now-ended podcast "Unzipped".
"AnnaLynne and I go way back. She's like family to me, and we all feel like a big family," Grimes-Beech shared on the podcast episode. "Matt Lanter lives nearby, and I recently reconnected with Jessica Stroup, which has been great. And Tristan and I always exchange messages at least once a year."
AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Lowndes and Jessica Stroup during the ‘90210’ TV Series Filming Shutterstock
Grimes-Beech observed that it wasn't until the end of 90210 that the costars reached a positive place.
“There was a lot of tension behind the scenes for a long time. We used to say, 'The behind the scenes drama could have been its own reality show. That's where the really entertaining stuff was.' When the show got cancelled, it was a difficult period for me," she explained. "I didn't necessarily like you all, but I still loved you. We were like a family... It's an unconditional bond because no one else experienced what we went through together. It was a crazy time and we relied on each other."
