From Beverly Hills 90210 heartthrob to modern-day influencer, Jennie Garth has experienced an abundance of happy days in her life…but today isn’t necessarily one of them. Two weeks earlier, Garth’s entire neighborhood was evacuated during the Los Angeles fires, and it was apparent that the effects of this frightening event would be long-lasting.
“Thankfully, we are home and safe, and our house is safe,” she says. “You’re never prepared for things like that, so I think everybody that was affected by the wildfires is having their natural feelings and responses.”
Facing a life-threatening disaster is a far cry from Garth’s younger days growing up in Urbana, Illinois before relocating with her family to Glendale, Arizona. By then, the performing bug had taken hold as she dove into the entertainment business.
“I didn’t have any expectations because I had no knowledge of the landscape of the industry,” Jennie says. “I was just going with the flow, learning on the job, and wanting to be a professional, wanting to always deliver what I was supposed to deliver.”
Finding Fame — and Uncertainty
Beverly Hills 90210 quickly became a global sensation after premiering in 1990, but the world was unaware of the negative effects that instant celebrity had on Jennie and other members of the teen cast.
“There was a lot of uncertainty about being thrust into immediate adulthood and worldwide fame,” she recalls. “I often say that, for 10 years, I feel like I didn’t really develop in a normal way because my circumstances were extraordinary, and nobody my age was going through any of the things I was going through except my fellow cast members. While it was incredible and fortunate, it was also scary, and we were unprepared for it. “
After years of learning how to resist being pushed and pulled by the hectic nature of her career, Jennie realized that the key to happiness could lie in three words – “I choose me,” a phrase she infamously declared as Kelly Taylor on 90210 while rejecting the pressure of being pursued by the show’s male lead characters, Dylan McKay and Brandon Walsh.
“I don’t think a lot of young women knew that that was something they could say,” she smiles. “It made me so proud to know that I had contributed to their growth and stories.”
A Lasting Choice
By embracing this mantra from her past, Garth has found a new purpose in her immediate future by pushing forth that message through her inspiring I Choose Me podcast and live panel discussions.
“At almost 53 years old, I feel even more proud somehow because I’m able to deliver that message in many different ways that people can thrive from,” Jennie explains. “The concept is pretty big, but you can start with the little things, like, ‘I’m going to take five minutes to have some protein,’ or ‘I’m going to read for 20 minutes today because I know that’s good for me.’ That leads to more and more little things until it’s part of your daily routine.”
It isn’t lost on Jennie that she’s no longer sharing inspiring words with fans as a character on a TV show. Whether it’s her podcast or frequent appearances on QVC to promote her fashion line, her authentic self is now taking center stage – a proposition that initially scared her.
“I’m getting more used to it,” she admits. “At first, it felt like I had just taken all my clothes off in front of the world, and I felt very vulnerable. Sometimes, I second-guess myself or get in my head about things. But the rewards that I get from sharing with people on such a personal, authentic level and the world allowing me just to be me…it feels really good.”
Jennie continues to embrace the life she’s cultivated with her family, even while weathering life’s peaks and valleys. Her terrifying experience with LA’s wildfires has encouraged her to focus more than ever on something we all need in our daily lives: self-care.
“Some people think of self-care as self-serving, but it comes in many forms and it affects everyone in your life,” she explains. “Even just like sitting down to conversations with the family about how they’re feeling and just staying checked in. To me, one form of self-care is keeping ties and connections close with the people you love.”
“I think one of the biggest things for me right now is just practicing gratitude; going out in my backyard, and just appreciating that it’s still here and our family is okay,” she concludes. “I have gratitude for every photo I see in my house, every plate I use, I feel more grateful for everything, so that’s a form of self-care in itself.”
