The Explosive Untold Truth about Tiffani Thiessen's Shocking Entry into 'Beverly Hills, 90210': Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling's Stunning Confessions

Kelly Taylor and Valerie Malone never saw eye to eye, and this continues to be the case in 2023 according to Jennie Garth. On the July 31 episode of their Beverly Hills, 90210 rewatch podcast "9021OMG," Garth, who is now 51 years old, and Tori Spelling discuss the premiere of season 5 where Tiffani Thiessen joins the cast after Shannen Doherty's departure.

"I remember, back then — not how I would perceive things as an adult — but as a young girl, I remember thinking, 'Why are they bringing this girl in? We were doing well. ... Why is someone coming to replace Brenda?' It just felt confusing. ... I didn't understand it," Garth explained. "And I probably wasn't very receptive to the idea. But it worked for my character, that's for sure. ... Kelly and Val never got along. ... Kelly has a strong intuition about people and their true nature, and she trusted her instincts. I think Kelly sensed something was off."

During the discussion, the cohost Amy Sugarman referred to the situation as "life imitates art again," hinting at rumored tension between Garth and Thiessen. Thiessen, on the other hand, revealed to Howard Stern in 2012 that she was "excluded" by her female costars. However, at one point, the two women were close, as Thiessen served as a bridesmaid in Garth's wedding to Peter Facinelli.

Spelling, for her part, added, “I was just like, me/Donna as usual, like, ‘Hi? How are you? Welcome! Please like me.’”

All three hosts pondered the fans' reaction to Thiessen's Valerie occupying the bedroom previously occupied by Doherty's Brenda. (Doherty, notorious for departing Beverly Hills, 90210 after four seasons due to on-set tension with her costars and superiors.)

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"It was incredibly strange to see Valerie in Brenda's bathroom like that. As a viewer, I felt a strong gut instinct and emotional attachment to the original cast, Brenda, and Brenda's bedroom. I was disturbed by what I was seeing and had trouble understanding it," expressed Garth. "It's upsetting to see Valerie transition from being a beloved main character to a bad girl. But can people come to love Valerie like they loved Brenda? Did anyone ever feel the same way about Valerie as they did about Brenda?"

While Spelling didn't say much during the conversation, she did mention that Valerie would be involved with multiple men on the show, something Garth didn't approve of. (Valerie forms romantic relationships with Dylan, David, Steve, Noah, Colin, and has a long-standing crush on Brandon.)

Garth expressed disbelief, saying, "So Brandon and Valerie are together? That's hard to believe. And all the guys have hooked up with her? Well, that definitely doesn't make me feel fond of her."

Throughout the entire 10-season run of Beverly Hills, 90210, Garth and Spelling remained on the show, while Thiessen departed in season 9 but made a comeback for the series finale in 2000.