Jennie Garth and Tiffani Thiessen: What Really Happened Between Them

Hollywood feuds usually follow a predictable script. There’s a blowup on set, a leaked tabloid story, and maybe a passive-aggressive social media unfollow. But the saga of Jennie Garth and Tiffani Thiessen is a lot weirder because it actually went in reverse. They started as enemies, became inseparable best friends, and then—somewhere around the mid-2000s—it all just collapsed.

If you grew up watching Beverly Hills, 90210, you know the onscreen vibes between Kelly Taylor and Valerie Malone were toxic. Turns out, the real-life situation wasn't much better in 1994. Tiffani walked onto that set as the "new girl" replacing the legendary Shannen Doherty. That’s a heavy lift for anyone.

Jennie has admitted on her podcast, 9021OMG, that she didn't really "get" why Tiffani was there. She felt the original cast was doing just fine. Tiffani, for her part, told Howard Stern years later that the women on the show were basically shunning her. She’d have wardrobe picks taken away because the other girls wanted them. It was high school, but with millions of people watching.

The Bridesmaid Years

Life is funny. Despite that "Scarlet Letter" treatment Tiffani felt early on, she and Jennie eventually clicked. Hard.

They weren't just "coworker friends." We're talking about a level of closeness where Tiffani was actually in the delivery room when Jennie’s first daughter, Luca, was born. When Jennie married Peter Facinelli in 2001, Tiffani was standing right there as a bridesmaid. They were a trio with Tori Spelling, ruling the early 2000s social scene.

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So, what changed?

It seems to be a classic case of messy breakups and "shooting the messenger." There are two main theories that fans—and the women themselves—have hinted at over the years.

• The Charlie Shanian Factor: Tiffani was very close to Tori Spelling’s first husband, Charlie Shanian. When Tori and Charlie split in 2005 (right as she met Dean McDermott), Tiffani reportedly felt the need to support Charlie. In Hollywood, taking the husband's side in a divorce is a one-way ticket out of the girl group.
• The Peter Facinelli Fallout: Tiffani worked with Jennie’s then-husband, Peter, on the show Fastlane. Rumors have swirled for decades that Jennie didn't love how close they were, or perhaps Tiffani saw something she shouldn't have. Tiffani has never confirmed the "cheating" rumors, but she did tell Stern, "I was the one who was hurt."

That "Voldemort" Moment on Drag Race

The feud stayed mostly quiet until 2017. That’s when things got petty.

Jennie and Tori appeared as guest judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race. A contestant was doing a parody of Valerie Malone. When it came time for critiques, Jennie acted like she couldn't even say Tiffani's name. Tori chimed in with, "Just say 'That which we don't speak of.'"

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Ouch.

The internet lost its mind. To fans, it looked like 40-something-year-old women still acting like they were in the West Beverly High parking lot. Jennie later claimed it was "weird editing," but the damage was done. It solidified the narrative that Tiffani was the odd one out.

Honestly, it’s refreshing to see how Tiffani handled it. She’s mostly focused on her cooking shows, her books, and her family. She doesn't lean into the drama. When asked about Jennie these days, she usually says something like, "It's water under the bridge."

Where They Stand in 2026

If you’re looking for a dramatic reconciliation, you might be disappointed. But there is a glimmer of peace.

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In late 2023, the two were spotted at a dinner party hosted by Bethenny Frankel. They even posed for a photo together. They weren't hugging, but they weren't throwing drinks either. It looked like two grown women who have realized that holding onto a 20-year-old grudge is just exhausting.

Jennie has softened her stance too. On her podcast, she’s been more reflective about her "mean girl" reputation from the 90s. She’s acknowledged that she was young, insecure, and felt threatened by new energy on the set.

Why the Tiffani-Jennie Dynamic Matters

This isn't just about celebrity gossip. It’s a case study in how work environments—especially high-pressure ones—can pit women against each other.

The 90210 set was notorious for its "boys club" vs. "girls club" atmosphere. The guys were mostly chill, while the women were constantly compared by the press and the producers. When you're told you're replaceable every day, you start looking at the new girl as an enemy instead of a friend.

Actionable Insights for Navigating Professional Rifts:

• Acknowledge the "New Girl" Syndrome: If you're the established veteran, remember how it felt to be new. Longevity doesn't mean you own the space.
• Avoid the "Messenger" Trap: If your friends are going through a divorce, trying to stay neutral is often impossible. Decide early on if the friendship is worth the drama of the fallout.
• The Power of the "Pivot": Tiffani Thiessen moved from acting to lifestyle and cooking, creating a totally different brand. Sometimes, the best way to end a feud is to move into a space where the other person doesn't exist.
• Don't Let Editing Define You: If you're in the public eye (or even just on a group chat), be careful with jokes that look like bullying. Context rarely survives a screenshot or a 30-second clip.

Ultimately, Jennie Garth and Tiffani Thiessen probably won't be vacationing together anytime soon. And that’s okay. Not every friendship is meant to last a lifetime, especially ones forged in the pressure cooker of 90s television.