Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling: A 30-Year Friendship Beyond 'Beverly Hills, 90210'
The recent 90s Con held in Hartford, Connecticut, delighted fans as they witnessed a "Beverly Hills, 90210" reunion. Among the attendees were Jason Priestley, Ian Ziering, and, of course, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling, who portrayed best friends Kelly Taylor and Donna Martin in the popular high school drama series. Jennie later shared on Instagram, "Loved seeing some familiar and friendly faces this weekend. It was more like Friends Con."
Jennie, 51, and Tori, 49, have maintained a close friendship since the show first aired in 1990. Over the past three decades, they have supported each other through the highs and lows of life, including motherhood, divorce, and various professional collaborations, such as their 9021OMG rewatch podcast and a QVC housewares line. Tori has previously remarked on the longevity of their bond, stating, "It’s a true friendship. We were friends when we were in our teens...In our 40s, you don’t have those friendships that are lasting, and ours has."
From the very beginning, Jennie and Tori had a strong support system in each other. Tori, the daughter of renowned producer Aaron Spelling, had only appeared in a few small roles before landing a lead role in 90210. Jennie, on the other hand, had already studied acting and moved to Los Angeles to complete high school and launch her career. According to an insider, "She helped Tori with her acting in the beginning. She taught her the best camera angles and how to react and cry on cue."
The pair's friendship solidified as they navigated the challenges of early fame together. Jennie has reflected on their shared experiences, stating, "We went through something really impactful at such a young age together…we just kinda speak the same language."
Following the conclusion of Beverly Hills, 90210 in 2000, Jennie and Tori remained close as they got married and started families. Jennie has three daughters with ex-husband Peter Facinelli, while Tori has five children with her husband Dean McDermott. An insider shared that the two enjoyed organizing playdates for their children and catching up with each other.
Their enduring friendship has seen them through various personal challenges and controversies. Throughout these difficult moments, Jennie has consistently stood by Tori's side. In 2019, Tori expressed her gratitude for Jennie's unwavering support: "She’s seen me up, down, turned around and loved me and supported me unconditionally."
Today, the two continue to strengthen their bond through work collaborations, girls' nights, and getaways, often finishing each other's sentences. Jennie has spoken about the value of their friendship, saying, "I would do anything for her, she would do anything for me…I hope other people get to have that experience of having somebody that they know has their back and trust them and that they can really love fully without worrying about it."