Why did Tori Spelling finally say “yes” to Dancing With the Stars after thirty-three seasons on the air? She has been in the public eye since she was a child with her trials and tribulations playing out via reality television. The mother of five has been offered the chance to show what she’s got on the dance floor yet she declined repeatedly. So, why was now the perfect time to join the hit reality dancing competition? Keep reading for why she decided to do it.
Tor Spelling Said ‘No’ 32 Times To DWTS
Tori Spelling has had fame in acting, reality television, and as an author. She played Donna Martin on the hit FOX series, Beverly Hills, 9020. Tori also found a following in made-for-television movies as well as reality TV which documented her marriage to Dean McDermott. Unfortunately, the couple, who wed in 2006, faced a lot of problems when it came out he had been unfaithful. They were growing their family while trying to cope with the betrayal. Moreover, it all played out in front of cameras.
Tori has also tried her hand at writing, having authored a handful of books. There have also been other endeavors, most recently her podcast, misSPELLING where she spills everything and anything. Currently, the mother of five is going through a divorce from Dean and was offered DWTS Season 33. This is not the first time the show has approached her to participate but it is the first time that she agreed to join. So, what made this year different than all of the others?
According to People, Tori Spelling shared her reasoning on the Friday, September 6th episode of her podcast. Mainly, she has always turned the show down due to fear:
“I got multiple calls over the last previous 32 seasons. Maybe, in fact, 32 calls. The answer was always no and I always had a different reason why I couldn’t do it. Every season I [watched it], and I was like, ‘Good for her [or] for him. Oh, god. I wish I was brave enough to do it.’”
Yes, Tori did have legitimate reasons for not signing on but admittedly, she “didn’t have any belief in myself.” This time, she jumped in even though it was “literally one of my biggest fears in life.”
Pushing Through
Despite all of her fears, Tori Spelling said “yes” for Season 33 of DWTS and is blessed to have so much support in her life:
“Watch it with my kids. Watched every season. So I’m pushing through my fears. I’m a work in progress. So I said yes to something that was one of my biggest fears… I have a lot of gratitude to the friends in my life and family that have said to me, We believe in you.”
She shared that her BH9210 co-star and DWTS alum Brian Austin Green was one of the first people who knew and gave her great advice. Sadly, their co-star, Shannen Doherty, who also competed, passed away in July 2024. Yet, Tori knows she will be watching down on her for every dance and episode. It was their final conversation that helped give Tori the strength to compete:
“I see that final conversation with her, and I see her face. And I see her saying to me, ‘You have to turn your power on. What are you scared of?’ And I’m like, ‘That I won’t be small anymore, that I’ll be powerful.’ She goes, ‘And?’ And then I joke.”
Are you looking forward to seeing how well Tori Spelling does? Do you think she will go far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.