In a heartfelt new memoir, Jennie Garth opens up about her deep feelings for her former co-star, Luke Perry, during their time on the iconic television series “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The actress, who played Kelly Taylor to Perry’s Dylan McKay, shares in her book titled *I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention*, that her affection for Perry transcended their on-screen romance, marking him as her first true love.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jennie-garth-luke-perry-d36226ac9d544380b95aa915cd33df1c.jpg)
Garth’s revelations come as she discusses the complexities of navigating emotions while portraying a couple on a beloved show that defined a generation. In an interview with *PEOPLE*, the actress candidly acknowledges that the line between reality and fiction often blurred during their time filming together in the 1990s. “Yeah. I do think he was my first true love,” she admits, suggesting a profound connection sprang from their extensive on-screen chemistry.
Reflecting on her feelings, Garth remarks, “Now looking back, I’m like, ‘You were just like every other girl in the world.’” She describes moments of jealousy when Perry interacted with guest characters, acknowledging these feelings were not unusual. The experience led her to question her own emotions amidst a backdrop of romantic storylines that often left her overwhelmed.
According to Garth, the nature of her and Perry’s relationship shifted as they matured. While their romantic connection faded after “Beverly Hills, 90210” concluded in 2000, they developed a strong friendship. Garth notes, “All that confusion left for me, because he got married and I got married, and we became just really great friends.” She characterises her teenage infatuation as a “silly dream,” but it undoubtedly contributed to her emotional landscape in later relationships.
At 54, Garth reflects on the impact her role—and her portrayal of love—had on her personal life. “It had a huge impact on my view of love and relationships,” she explains. The character of Kelly faced numerous love triangles, and even dealt with betrayal from her love interest Brandon Walsh, a storyline that left a lasting impression on Garth’s understanding of intimacy. “So I lived my life pretty guarded in the relationship world,” she acknowledges, recognising how her fictional experiences shaped her perceptions of love.
The memoir also delves into Garth’s profound sense of loss following Perry’s untimely death in 2019, when he suffered a stroke at the age of 52. The news rattled Garth deeply, and she recounts feeling compelled to go to the hospital where he was admitted. “Losing Luke shook me to my core,” she writes, capturing the devastating nature of the loss that echoed through her life.
As she grappled with the reality of Perry’s passing, Garth shares the paralysis she felt in the wake of his death. She describes watching the coverage of his demise and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer weight of his absence, saying, “It was too big to comprehend, too devastating to accept.” Perry’s death not only marked the end of a beloved figure in her life but also a poignant chapter in the legacy of “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
Garth’s memoir, set to be released on April 14, is available for pre-order and promises to provide further insights into her life, relationships, and the enduring influence of her time on the iconic series. As fans and readers await its publication, Garth’s candid revelations about her love for Perry are bound to resonate with those who cherished her character’s journey and the tales of love and heartache woven throughout the show.
In sharing her story, Jennie Garth not only pays tribute to her beloved friend and co-star but also invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and the lessons that come with both.