Tori Spelling Discusses Divorce with Dean McDermott on Premiere Podcast: Asserts Her Right to File

Tori Spelling shared the reasons behind her divorce from Dean McDermott on her new podcast, "Misspelling."

In the first episode, released on April 1st, Spelling, 50, called McDermott, 57, and left him a voicemail within the first 10 seconds.

"Hey, it's me, T. I know you're busy. Can you give me a call? It's urgent," she said. "Everything's okay. The kids are doing well. Please call me back. Bye."

After ending the call, Spelling shared with her listeners that she recently filed for divorce after being married for 18 years. She mentioned that her lawyer informed her that the news is now public. (The couple have five children together: Liam, 17, Stella, 15, Hattie, 12, Finn, 11, and Beau, 7. McDermott also has a son named Jack, 25, with his ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace.)

Spelling and McDermott's marriage came to an end on Friday, March 29. They officially separated on June 17, 2023, which was the same day McDermott announced their split on Instagram (the post has since been deleted).

During a podcast episode, about 10 minutes in, McDermott called Spelling and listeners got to hear her side of the conversation. Spelling mentioned that TMZ contacted her lawyer after obtaining the divorce filing and were the first to report the split news on Friday.

She broke the news to McDermott as he was heading to work. "They've filed for divorce," she said. "It's just a formality, like a checklist. You'll need to sign it soon. Do you have a lawyer? How do you think this will be interpreted, that I'm fed up with you? What are your thoughts?"

Tori Spelling Tells Dean McDermott She Deserved to File for Divorce During Debut Podcast Episode

Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott. Getty Images(2)

She explained that if it comes down to the question of who should file for divorce first, she believes she should be the one to do it. She mentioned that he had already shared personal details about their relationship with the Daily Mail, things she would have never revealed to anyone. Therefore, it only makes sense for her to be the one to take the next step and file for divorce.

McDermott gave a bombshell interview to the Daily Mail in November 2023, where he confessed to causing "a lot of pain" in their marriage. Even after filing for divorce, Spelling expressed her love for her estranged husband and held back tears when she told him before ending the phone call.

"I can't believe it. I've never felt so lonely surrounded by friends recording a podcast," she exclaimed. "Damn. I've never felt this alone in my 50 years of life."

Ready for more insights from Spelling's first "Misspelling" podcast episode?

Tori Spelling Tells Dean McDermott She Deserved to File for Divorce During Debut Podcast Episode

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Reasons for Delay in Filing

Spelling confessed that she had hoped for a perfect fairytale marriage. At first, she shared with a friend that she planned to leave McDermott once her children Liam and Stella were old enough to unbuckle their own car seats. However, Spelling found herself pregnant, and this conversation repeated itself three more times.

"It shouldn't have lasted 18 years," Spelling mentioned about the marriage. She feels that if they had a real heart-to-heart conversation, he would agree that it should have ended much sooner.

Spelling also confessed that McDermott frequently threatened to file for divorce during their relationship.

Checking in on the Kids

Spelling shared that her children have "very distinct personalities," and mentioned that her oldest daughter, Stella, has been the most concerned about her and McDermott's relationship throughout the years.

Stella has always been sensitive to her parents' arguments since she was 4 years old. Whenever they would argue, even if it was not intense and they kept it private, she would start crying hysterically and ask if they were going to get a divorce. This deeply affected her mother.

Her Kids Being ‘Shamed’ at School

The actress expressed worry about her children after filing for divorce. She shared that Stella told her, "Our classmates already discuss us at school. They recognize you, our family, and they keep up with the news, and now you're starting a podcast."

Spelling shared a story about her kids’ school mistakenly thinking they lived in an RV because of a past family vacation. She recalled how one student approached her daughter at school and asked about the RV they supposedly lived in. Her daughter clarified that it was just a rental for their vacation, like many other families do, and not their permanent home. The student then expressed relief, admitting they had thought her family was homeless. Her daughter felt embarrassed by the misunderstanding but also recognized the power of manipulation that teens can wield in social situations.

Tori Spelling Tells Dean McDermott She Deserved to File for Divorce During Debut Podcast Episode

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Identifying Warning Signs from McDermott

Spelling confessed, "I often joke that I enjoy making dresses out of red flags before moving forward." She acknowledged, "There were clear warning signs, such as his anger issues, which first surfaced just four months into our relationship."

Spelling remembered that things changed in their relationship once they had children. She admitted that she became so focused on the kids that she unintentionally neglected her partner. She acknowledged that this didn't excuse his behavior, the way he handled things, and the impact of his lack of sobriety on her and the kids for many years. She expressed relief that he is now sober. However, she felt like she was carrying the weight of parenting alone due to the significant shift in their relationship.

Spelling described herself as "an extra set of hands," while acknowledging that she was the parent in the situation. The concept of red flags was brought up again later in the podcast episode, with Spelling mentioning that McDermott had a temper that was often exacerbated by alcohol.

McDermott Was a ‘Character’ in Her Life

Tori Spelling reflected on her relationship with her husband Dean McDermott, calling him a 'character' she had created in her mind. She admitted to creating a version of him that embodied all the qualities of a Prince Charming that she had always dreamed of. Despite the challenges they faced, especially during their reality show, she acknowledged that there were moments of fun and happiness. Tori shared that many women admired Dean and wished they had someone like him, but she hinted that there was more to their relationship than what was portrayed on TV.

Therapy Didn’t Work

According to Spelling, she and McDermott decided to try couple’s therapy after Stella was born. However, they found themselves having conversations that were not connecting on a deeper level.

He focused more on her having “too many animals,” being “a hoarder” and “messy” rather than their actual issues.

Revisiting the June 2023 Split Announcement

Before Dean McDermott posted the Instagram announcement about their split, there was tension at Jennie Garth's house.

After Jennie returned home, Dean began drinking and they ended up getting into a heated argument. The situation quickly escalated and reached a boiling point when he made a disrespectful comment about dog feces, causing Jennie to lose her temper.

Editor's P/S:

Tori Spelling's recent divorce announcement and the revelations made on her podcast have shed light on the complexities and challenges of her 18-year marriage to Dean McDermott. Spelling's candid account of their relationship, from the early warning signs to the impact on their children, provides a raw and relatable perspective on the realities of marital struggles. Her admission of neglecting her own needs while prioritizing the children highlights the common pitfalls that can strain relationships.

The podcast also delves into the role of media attention and social scrutiny in their situation. Spelling's concerns about her children facing shame at school due to their family's public issues underscore the profound impact that external pressures can have on family dynamics. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of privacy and the need to shield children from the negative consequences of public gossip and speculation. Ultimately, Spelling's story offers valuable insights into the complexities of marriage, the power of communication, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.