Tori Spelling very upset at the "truly shocking" decision to omit her 'Beverly Hills, 90210' co-star Shannen Doherty from the In Memoriam segment at the Oscars.
The 51-year-old actress' colleague and friend died at the age of 53 in July 2024 after a battle with cancer but wasn't mentioned during the annual tribute at last month's Academy Awards – and the snub infuriated Tori as the star had appeared in successful films such as 'Heathers'.
© Vinnie ZuffanteShe told a special episode of Shannen's 'Let's Be Clear' podcast: "I'm sure all of you definitely saw – as I saw, as the world saw – that it was heartbreaking that Shannen was left out of the In Memoriam segment at the Academy Awards. I have to say, it was shocking, truly shocking."
"Because to me, I discovered Shannen as a fan on the big screen. While she was iconically known for her TV roles – which I want to honour her and go through her career today – but it's really the big screen where her career just thrived. And she just lit up the big screen, going back to when she was a kid."
© mikel robertsTori explained that her heart "sank" when she realised that Shannen wasn't included in the tribute segment. She said: "Honestly, when the In Memoriam stopped and she hadn't been included, my heart dropped. It sank. And it sank because I was like, 'What? It's such a miss'."
Tori acknowledged that the In Memoriam segment could only go for a limited time but felt that Doherty warranted more than just her name listed on the Academy's website.
© Frank TrapperThe 'Kiss the Bride' actress said: "I just think when someone so iconic to fans across the world passes and they're not remembered for their legacy and the great work they did, I just think it's shocking."
Tori admits that the omission was particularly saddening as her producer father, Aaron Spelling, and fellow 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actor Luke Perry were also left out of the segment after their deaths in 2006 and 2019, respectively. She said: "And personally, a little triggering to me because this is the third person I love who has been left out.
© Diane Freed"The year my dad passed, I remember he was left out of it. And then, ironically, the year Luke Perry passed, he was left out of it."
"But it's not like Shannen could have been an oversight. It just felt for all of us watching that loved her and loved her work; it felt like not only was she robbed, but we were robbed."
