DWTS Alum Was Good at ‘Masking’ Illness, Former Co-Star Says

Season 10 “Dancing With the Stars” alum Shannen Doherty died in July 2024. In the weeks before her death, she spent time with her “Beverly Hills: 90210” co-star, Jason Priestley.

“Shannen was sick for a very long time, so I think we all knew that eventually something was going to happen. But she seemed so not sick when you would spend time with her,” Priestley told People magazine.

“I’m sure it’s because she was just putting on a super brave face and didn’t want everyone to know how sick she really was,” he continued. Priestley noted that Doherty was good at “masking” her illness.

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She went into remission in 2017, but her cancer returned three years later. She was just 53 years old when she died.

Jason Priestley Said He Was ‘Shocked’ When Shannen Doherty Died

In his interview with People, Priestley said that Doherty’s death “was a surprise,” even though he “sort of knew” it was coming.

“I was with her just a few weeks, maybe four or five weeks before she passed away, and there was no indication that anything was wrong with her,” he explained.

“As much as we all knew something was coming eventually, when she did pass away I think part of it was a surprise, because she didn’t seem sick. So it made it really difficult to figure out how to feel about it,” the actor said, adding, “Obviously, it was very painful. But we sort of knew, but then we didn’t.”

Following Doherty’s death, Priestley took to Instagram to share his condolences.

“Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Shannen,” he wrote, adding, “She was a force of nature and I will miss her. Sending love and light to her family in this dark time.”

Other ‘90210’ Stars Also Posted About Shannen Doherty’s Death on Social Media

Following Doherty’s death, her “90210” co-stars shared messages online.

One of Doherty’s longtime pals, Jennie Garth, expressed great sadness over the loss.

“I am still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest,” she wrote on Instagram.

Actress Carol Potter, who played Doherty’s mom on the show, also expressed shock.

“Shocked and saddened by news of Shannon Doherty’s death. What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace,” she captioned an Instagram post on July 14, 2024.