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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
sTORI Telling By Tori Spelling
Much has been made about the relationship between Tori Spelling and her mother. In this book, Tori lays out everything. Yes, she was born into great wealth, but Tori says she was starved for love, attention and approval from both her mother and father. The relationships between Tori and her mother and Tori and her father were not what most people think of when they think of mother/daughter and father/daughter relationships. From the beginning, as the young actress relates, her father Aaron pitted her against her mother when it came to his love. She relates that one time Aaron told her he loved her more than he loved her mother, and Tori saw the reaction to that declaration in her mother’s face. So, it was not an easy childhood for her.
With Dean Martin as her godfather, and Jordan Bridges (Beau Bridges’ son) her good friend, not to mention all the celebrities that passed through the Spelling house, Tori did not have the typical childhood. She didn’t get an allowance. If she wanted anything, all she had to do was ask. However she didn’t always get what she wanted.
Every year for her birthday she would get a new Madame Alexander doll, which her mother loved dearly, but which Tori was never allowed to play with. As soon as the box was opened the doll was whisked off to be put in the display case. Most young girls want dolls they can play with and can dress and brush their hair, and Tori was no exception. But she never got one of those dolls. Her mother has a deep love of dolls, and actually has a doll museum in her house, but Tori never got the kind of dolls she wanted.
Now, as for the big house, which they refer to as “The Manor,” Tori was not really brought up there. She moved in and spent only a short time there. She was off on her own, making it on her own. Well, as much as any kid named Spelling could do. She had an enormous impact on some of her father’s big TV hits, and often recommended actors for various parts. And when it came down to it, she also wanted to be an actor, but she wanted to be considered on her own merits and not on her name. So, when she auditioned for her now-famous part on Beverly Hills 90210, Tori gave them an alias. Her father knew about her audition and got her the part as Donna Martin, a part that was supposed to be just big enough to appease her. But Tori took the role and ran with it. She made Donna into the big hit that she was. And she did it on her own, without the input of her father, the producer.
This girl has guts, there’s no denying that. She delves into all the events in her life, including the big wedding that turned out to be everything she didn’t want - which included her first husband. She also describes meeting Dean, her husband of today. The two were each married to other people at the time but fell in love at almost first sight. Their scandalous relationship was raked through the coals in the tabloids, but today they are still happily married with two children. This entire incident is discussed completely in this book.
The book reads like you, the reader, are sitting down having a friendly conversation with the author. She writes very much like she talks. It’s open, easy, friendly, and fun to read. At times, however, she does tend to jump back and forth in time, which can be a bit confusing, but on the whole this is an interesting read. It paints a picture of Tori Spelling in a different light than what most people read about in the tabloids and what has been said in the press. This is Tori’s story and she tells it openly and honestly.
She is a very funny woman who has suffered her own versions of life’s traumas, only much of it has been in the public’s eye. This is a deeply intimate look at her life from the inside out. Tori Spelling can now proudly add “Best Selling Author” to her list of credits.
© 2008 Francine Brokaw
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