Tori Spelling’s emotional tribute to Shannen Doherty: “She always had my back”

Tori Spelling remembers her “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star Shannen Doherty with a loving post on Instagram.

Doherty died on July 13 after a years-long battle with cancer.

Spelling, who included a carousel of photos, began by saying, “Fuck her… is what Shan would say if I told her about feeling pressured to recap a 36-year relationship on social media and my grief over a fire whose flame was extinguished too soon.”

Looking back on their friendship, she said, “I was 15 when Shan and I met. I was the boss’s daughter with no voice and she was the star with the big voice. She took me under her wing. She made me believe that I had a voice and that I was worth something. We quickly became best friends. We were each other’s wingwomen, true confidants, support systems in bad relationships, sometimes a roommate of sorts, travel companions, and so much more. She always stood up for me. Always had my back. Always believed in me when I couldn’t or didn’t want to believe in myself.”

Tori admitted that things weren’t always perfect between them, writing, “We were young. We let a lot of outside and inside influences affect our friendship. In a world where we often can’t make up for the childhood friendships that shaped you so strongly into the adult you become, we were given this chance. I’m grateful to @theshandoand that as adult friends I was able to go back in time and remember why we really loved each other from the beginning. Reminisce. And laugh that iconically like we used to. No one could make me laugh like that. Core laughs!”

Spelling described her as “a rebel in a time when most women were uncomfortable being strong.”

“She never tried hard, she just was,” Spelling wrote. “She radiated sexiness, strength, self-pity and empathy, all topped off with wry humor! Her sarcastic humor was one of my favorites. And nobody made a Frito pie like Shan!”

Tori insisted, “Shan… I will carry the torch. Embrace my power! And I will remain rebellious for you. I love you with all my heart. Always. 🖤💔”

Others from the “90210” family also paid tribute to him.

Sophie Perry, whose father Luke Perry died of a stroke in 2019, shared a black-and-white photo of Doherty and her father on Instagram Stories.

In the throwback photo, Shannen is smiling broadly while Luke chews on her necklace with a wolfish grin on his face. Sophie added a white heart.

The photo is a tribute to their time as film couple Brenda Walsh and Dylan McKay in “90210”.

Jason Priestley immediately remembered her on Instagram with a cast photo of the two. He played her brother in the phenomenally popular series. “I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Shannen. She was a force of nature and I will miss her,” he wrote. “Sending love and light to her family during this dark time.”

Jennie Garth shared, “I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my longtime friend Shannen, the woman I often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest. We were pitted against each other so many times, but none of that reflected the truth of our true relationship, which was based on mutual respect and admiration. She was brave, passionate, determined, and very loving and generous. I will miss her and always honor her deeply in my heart and memories.”

Brian Austin Green, also from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” wrote in an Instagram story: “Shan. My sister… You loved me through everything. You were a huge part of my understanding of love. I will miss you more than I can handle right now. Thank you for the gift that you are.”

“Beverly Hills, 90201,” Gabrielle Carteris wrote on Instagram, “So young – so sad. Rest in peace Shannen. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you.”