For 10 seasons Tori Spelling resided on FOX TV’s most famous zip code 90210, alongside her on-screen besties Brenda, Brandon, Kelly, Steve and Dylan. In 1990, Beverly Hills 90210 made its primetime debut and was produced by Tori’s father, Aaron Spelling.
Every Wednesday night the one-hour series followed the group of California high schoolers as they navigated their teenage and college years before forging their path into adulthood. The show, and its cast, won multiple awards and is currently streaming on Paramount+.
Twenty-five years later, Tori is still making a name for herself as an actress, author, Podcast host and star of the Lifetime movie, Abducted in The Everglades, which premieres on the cable network on March 1st.
The film centers on Tori’s character, Beverly, who travels to the swamps of The Everglades to look for her missing teenage daughter. First for Women spoke with Tori on why the story was important to tell and how it hits close to home.
First for Women (FFW): What drew you to take on the role of a mom searching for her daughter in the Everglades?
Tori Spelling: It was super scary when I read the script, and the mom in me immediately took over and said, “This is everyone’s worst nightmare.” I am a mom, so I immediately connected with the character.
FFW: And you have two daughters?
Tori Spelling: With my kids, especially my daughters, I always say I would do anything and everything to make sure they are safe.
FFW: You really rolled up your sleeves to play this character?
Tori Spelling: I did. I did a lot of the stunts, so it was a really physical movie too.
FFW: Rumor has it those stunts required you to get up close to real life alligators and snakes…
Tori Spelling: I was really excited to dive into that. Yes! (laughs) I was telling my friends I was going to the Everglades to make a movie with alligators and yes, they said it sounded very scary. I was in a swamp, which is the alligator’s natural habitat, so we had to film around that, but I was surrounded by wranglers at all times that made sure I was safe, but it was in case we needed to get out of there fast.
FFW: Did you have a non-expected close encounter with an alligator?
Tori Spelling: Definitely. There was one scene when we were in an airboat and there was an alligator about 20-feet away. The alligator was very quiet and just kind of hanging out. So, we started the scene. I was in the water and according to the script, my character had to scream. The alligator heard that and made a beeline for me. I have never moved so fast!
FFW: Off-screen you’re a mom to five children. Did you tap into those feelings and emotions throughout the making of this movie?
Tori Spelling: When I was filming, I spent the entire time thinking about my kids and it helped me emotionally get to a place where it was a freighter flight mentality where you would do anything. I also really connected with the actress who plays my daughter in the movie because she reminded me so much of my oldest daughter, Stella, who is 16. Because they are so alike it wasn’t hard to play with her mom and feel like I was really her mom.
FFW: Have you ever experienced a moment where you couldn’t find or get in touch with your kids and if so, what was that like?
Tori Spelling: Having teens I am always tracking them on Life 360. My big Saturday night is staring at my phone watching where they go (laughs). It is usually from party to party because they are at that age. I am always looking on my app to make sure they are all safe, especially since they are always out and about and moving all over the place. It is a much smaller version of what my character Beverly contends with in this film, when she can’t track her daughter.
FFW: You also serve as the film’s executive producer. How did it feel to pull double duty?
Tori Spelling: I love producing and it is in my blood. I love to tap into that other creative side of a project and dig into a story from another angle. With this project the director and I were on the same team and had the same vision when we brought this script to life.
Producing wasn’t so much that he taught me [by my dad], but I will say I was fascinated watching him from an early age. While some kids spent their summers at camp, I would always ask my dad to go to work with him. I would listen to him during meetings, and I would go through his briefcase because I wanted to help him do his rewrites.
At a young age I was always looking to get my hands on something or watch something he was doing. I knew as I got older, I knew acting and producing was always going to be something I would do.
FFW: As you look ahead, what would you like to tackle next?
Tori Spelling: There are definitely different genres I gravitate towards. I really love horror films, and I would like to get my hands on one of those. I like taking chances and putting fresh spins on them. One of my strengths is that I can elevate and modernize stories. I love TV, I love movies and I love producing non-scripted movies too. The love goes across the board.
FFW: Speaking of love, to this day, Beverly Hills 90210 is still one of the most beloved popular primetime television dramas. What was it like to be a part of something so iconic that still draws audiences of different generations?
Tori Spelling: Personally, being attached to that is the gift that keeps on giving. We did that show during such an amazing time. People really fell in love and related to a lot of what those characters were going through. I am still amazed at the impact we are having on the world.
We, as a cast, were so into what we were creating, and it wasn’t until we were out of it and started going through life that I was able to look back and say we did something really amazing. Now as I see how it crosses so many different generations I am like, it’s crazy how so many teens still watch it—such as my own kids with their friends.
FFW: What are your kids’ reaction when they watch it and see you?
Tori Spelling: Everyone has different opinions and reactions. Some did not recognize me. Some think it’s great. Some of them think it is really cool. Collectively they agree the fashion is really good, especially my girls.
FFW: To which, you reply?
Tori Spelling: I tell them, I told you we started the trend first. It is harder when their friends tell them how cool I am (laughs).
FFW: What does that series mean to you?
Tori Spelling: I think 90210 will keep on going with every generation and I do think there will never be anything like it. It will always be a wonderful moment in time. I love the people, and I think it represents a great nostalgic time. It still has space in everyone’s memories and hearts.
FFW: Actor Jason Priestly recently told People Magazine that the relationships with his 90210 co-stars have not changed and everyone is still close. His exact words were, “You’re bonded together by this incredible experience that you shared that not many people have ever been through, so you end up just bonded to those people in a way that’s very special.” Are you guys really thick as thieves?
Tori Spelling: We really are. We even have a 90210, group text that we are all on. We are like brothers and sisters. When we did that show it was during such a moment in time and our formative years. I will say, there are certain things no one understands about me, but the cast does. They know me so well. It is a true bond and family.
FFW: Do you see each other a lot?
Tori Spelling: Jason lives in Nashville, and I don’t get to see him a lot, but when we do get together, we go right back to those moments. This family is forever, and we have a very special and unique relationship.
FFW: I know the passing of Shannen Doherty hit you pretty hard. What did Shannen mean to you?
Tori Spelling: I still cannot believe she is gone and how much time has passed since we lost her. Every day I think about her, and I am really grateful for the time we had together, especially in recent years.
FFW: What do you miss most about Shannen?
Tori Spelling: There are often things that happen, and when they do I think, Shannen would laugh at that, or she would think it was funny and get me to laugh. It is still hard to believe she is not here. We all miss her.
FFW: How do you balance a career and five kids?
Tori Spelling: If you want something done give it to a busy woman.
FFW: You don’t have a secret for keeping it all in check?
Tori Spelling: I don’t know but if you have a secret please share with me. It’s not easy, but my philosophy is I just have to keep going. My kids are everything in my life, so it is easy to keep doing everything for them. As for my career, that is always something I love, and something I am passionate about. I am happy I get to do what I do especially since I still love doing it.
FFW: You also host a popular podcast called misSPELLING where you talk about the challenges of being a single mom and co-parenting among other personal topics. What compelled you to put it all out there?
Tori Spelling: I have always been a storyteller. I got that from my dad. I naturally love people and find it easy to connect with them. I also love sharing and I feel no matter where we are in life, there is always something relatable to say. We are all human and I think it is important to share that.
FFW: How has this podcast helped you deal with what life has thrown at you?
Tori Spelling: It is cathartic and therapeutic. I think what I discovered, coming from the scripted world of 90210, I am now in a position to be able to say it like it is. I have the platform to call it out and be an open book. This has been really good for me because during the first half of my career people had many misconceived notions of who I was. During this second half, people are like, “Oh this is who she really is,” and the response I am getting has been so much better.
I think people were able to better connect with me, which is what I love. My podcast is another form of that, connecting all of us together. Being able to tell my story and reach people everywhere on the air has been so rewarding. I also love to make people laugh so I try to bring humor to each show.
