Tori Spelling Vows to ‘Carry the Torch on’ for Shannen Doherty

Tori Spelling is planning to keep Shannen Doherty’s spirit alive following her passing.

Spelling, who starred alongside Doherty on Beverly Hills, 90210, shared an emotional tribute to the late star on Instagram on July 15, accompanied by several photos of them together over the years.

“F— them… is what Shan would say if I told her I felt pressure to have to summarize via social media a 36-year relationship and the grief I feel for a fire whose flame went out too soon,” she posted.

Reflecting on their early friendship while working on the hit teen drama series, Spelling, who played Donna Martin on 90210, recalled their beginnings. “I was 15 when Shan and I met,” she remembered. “I was the boss’s daughter with no voice, and she was the star with a big voice. She took me under her wing. She gave me the belief I had a voice and was worthy.”

“We became fast best friends,” Spelling continued. “We were each other’s wing women, true confidantes, support systems navigating bad relationships, roommates of sorts at times, travel buddies, and so much more. She always stuck up for me. Always had my back. Always believed in me when I didn’t or couldn’t believe in myself.”

Acknowledging their youth, Spelling noted, “We let a lot of outside and inside influences impact our friendship.”

“In a world where we often don’t get to make up with the childhood friendships that formed so much of the adult you become, we got that chance,” she shared. “I’m grateful @theshando and I got to go back in time as adult friends and remember why we truly loved each other to begin with. To reminisce. And, to iconically laugh again like we used to. No one could make me laugh like that. Core laughs!”

Spelling honored her late costar, who played Brenda Walsh on the series for four seasons, calling her “a rebel in an era when most women didn’t feel comfortable being strong.”

“She never tried; she just was,” Spelling wrote. “She empowered sexiness, strength, 2 f—s given, empathy, and all topped off with wicked humor! Her sardonic humor was one of my favorites. And, no one made a frito pie like Shan!”

She concluded her tribute with a heartfelt message to Doherty, vowing to keep her spirit alive. “Shan… I’ll carry the torch on. Take on my power! And, I’ll stay rebellious for you. Love you with all my heart. Always. 🖤💔”

PEOPLE confirmed on Sunday, July 14, that Doherty passed away at age 53 after years of living with cancer.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” the actress’ longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, said in a statement.

“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” Sloane continued.

Shortly after the news broke, Spelling shared a selfie with Doherty on her Instagram Stories with a row of broken hearts. “I don’t have outward words yet, but WE knew and that’s what matters,” she wrote at the time.

In addition to Spelling, Beverly Hills, 90210 alums Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, and Gabrielle Carteris also remembered the late actress.

Source: PEOPLE