Jennie Garth Blames '90210' Story Line for Longtime Feud With Costar Shannen Doherty

The actresses' on-screen rivalry translated into real-life tensions, Garth says.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:33pm

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering sequins, conveying the glamour and drama of celebrity feuds through dramatic lighting and texture.The lasting tensions between two of TV's most iconic co-stars reflected the pressures of fame and the power of creative storytelling.Beverly Hills Today

Jennie Garth has opened up about the longtime feud she had with her late Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty, blaming the show's storylines for pitting the two actresses against each other. Garth said the media attention and fan reactions to the rivalry between their characters, Kelly and Brenda, created real-life tensions that the young stars were ill-equipped to handle at the time.

Why it matters

The Garth-Doherty feud was one of the most infamous rivalries in TV history, with the two actresses' on-screen animosity spilling over into their real-life relationship. This new insight from Garth sheds light on how the pressures of fame and the creative decisions of the show's writers can impact the personal dynamics of young stars thrust into the spotlight.

The details

Garth explained that the writers' decision to have Kelly and Brenda's characters turn against each other in the show's third season, with Kelly starting a relationship with Brenda's boyfriend Dylan, created a real-life rift between the two actresses. Garth said neither she nor Doherty were prepared to handle the intense media scrutiny and fan reactions that came with the on-screen rivalry, leaving them "fending for ourselves" without guidance or support.

  • In the 1990s, during the run of Beverly Hills, 90210.
  • In July 2024, Shannen Doherty passed away at the age of 53 after a lengthy cancer battle.

The players

Jennie Garth

An American actress best known for her role as Kelly Taylor on the 1990s TV series Beverly Hills, 90210.

Shannen Doherty

An American actress who played the role of Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210. She passed away in 2024 at the age of 53 after a battle with cancer.

Luke Perry

An American actor who played the role of Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210.

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What they’re saying

“I think we were both in the same position, really thrust into the spotlight, and we were written as characters to be against each other. That translated into the media and into the audience and then into the world's perception of our relationship.”

— Jennie Garth, Actress

“It's embarrassing to say, but I was just looking at a Teen Bop magazine the other day, looking at old pictures. I was looking on one page that was like, 'Oh, Jennie Garth, great life, Midwestern values. What a sweetie,' and then flip the page over and it was like, 'Join the I Hate Brenda Fan Club.' It really dawned on me it wasn't just us.”

— Jennie Garth, Actress

“Nobody was guiding us. Nobody was getting therapy then. Nobody was talking to us about things. We were both just fending for ourselves.”

— Jennie Garth, Actress

“At the end of the day, we really did have a respect for one another as strong women who have lasted a long time in this industry.”

— Jennie Garth, Actress

What’s next

Garth and Doherty's former co-stars from Beverly Hills, 90210 are expected to pay tribute to Doherty at a special memorial event later this year.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges young stars can face when their on-screen rivalries become real-life tensions, and the importance of providing guidance and support to help them navigate the pressures of fame. Garth's reflections on her relationship with Doherty also underscore the lasting respect and admiration the two shared, despite their well-publicized feud.