Jennie Garth revisited the major moments in her life and career for her new memoir, I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention.
One of those highlights came when Fox rebooted Beverly Hills, 90210, so naturally she writes about one of her high-profile cast mates, Shannen Doherty, who was privately battling cancer amid production in 2019. She would ultimately succumb to the disease on July 13, 2024, at age 53 after a long battle.
“It felt like she was a little removed and preoccupied during the filming, which now makes perfect sense. She invited me to her trailer for a glass of wine on a few occasions and we had some good hangs. But she didn’t tell me the news that her cancer had returned,” Garth details in her memoir, according to People. “I wish I had known, but I didn’t find out until well after we wrapped. I think I would have been able to support her in different ways as a friend and a coworker. That news was tough to hear — not only because of the weight of what she was facing, but because I realized I had been with her for weeks and never knew.”
Doherty initially received the diagnosis in March 2015. Two years later, in April 2017, it was reported that she had gone into remission, only for the cancer to reappear in 2019.
The two did not always get along, if widespread press reports are to be believed, and in a separate interview with People to promote the memoir, Garth said she remained grateful for all that she learned from Doherty over the years.
“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,” she said. “That translated into the media and into the audience and then into the world’s perception of our relationship. That, in turn, was confusing for both of us.”
She added, “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, and she taught me a lot. She taught me a lot of really good things about being strong, standing up for myself, using my voice. I’m forever grateful for her and for the relationship that we had.”
I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention was released on April 14. She also opens up about her sobriety journey, losing Luke Perry and more.
