Tori Spelling
In a heartfelt revelation during the season 33 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS), Tori Spelling opened up about her journey of self-discovery amidst a very public divorce. The 51-year-old actress, known for her role in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” shared how this new chapter in her life is helping her heal and rediscover herself.
Long-Awaited Opportunity
For 32 seasons, Spelling had passed up the opportunity to join DWTS. However, this year marked a significant change. When asked by her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov, what made this time different, Spelling candidly referenced her ongoing divorce from Dean McDermott.
“[Turning] 50 hit, and my life exploded. I’m going through a public divorce,” Spelling explained. “I’m trying to find myself again.”
Spelling filed for divorce from McDermott, 57, in March 2024, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple had been married for nearly 18 years and share five children: Liam (17), Stella (16), Hattie (12), Finn (12), and Beau (7).
“Everything I thought I was has been burned to the ground,” Spelling confessed to the cameras, highlighting the profound impact of the split on her identity.
Dancing Towards Healing
For her debut performance, Spelling chose P!nk’s “Trustfall” as her anthem. The choice symbolized her current state of mind: “If I am gonna fall, imma catch myself cause imma trust me.”
Despite receiving mixed feedback from the judges – Derek Hough called the performance “a little stiff” while Bruno Tonioli mentioned she has “a lot of work to do” – Spelling remained positive and enthusiastic.
In a touching moment after her performance, Spelling exclaimed to co-host Julianne Hough, “I found her! It only took me 51 years,” referring to reconnecting with herself. She acknowledged that participating in the show was “really out of [her] comfort zone,” but her excitement was palpable as she jumped up and down.
Spelling’s journey to this point hasn’t been easy. In an April episode of her “misSPELLING” podcast, she revealed a fear that had kept her from filing for divorce sooner:
“One of my biggest fears, and this perhaps did make me stay longer, is I feel like in our world it’s difficult to be with a man and have him not feel emasculated,” she said. “I feel guilty. Like, how am I ever going to be with a man who doesn’t feel like less than me just because of my status?”
Not Alone in Healing
Interestingly, Spelling isn’t the only contestant on this season of DWTS looking to move past heartbreak. Jenn Tran, fresh from revealing her split with ex-fiancé Devin Strader on “The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose,” is also competing.
“I truthfully felt like my heart was getting ripped out of my chest,” Tran shared during the DWTS premiere. “Now I’m here with a little bit of vengeance.
As Tori Spelling continues her journey on DWTS, fans and viewers will root for her personal growth and healing. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to rediscover oneself, even in the face of public scrutiny and personal challenges.
Dancing With the Stars airs simultaneously on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, and episodes are available for streaming on Disney+ the following day.
Stay tuned to USACouples.com for more updates on Tori Spelling’s journey and other celebrity relationship news. Us Weekly