What Happened between Shannen Doherty & Alyssa Milano – inside Their Scandal

Shannen Doherty | Alyssa Milano | Source: Getty Images

Shannen Doherty, who fought cancer for a long time, passed away yesterday. Tensions with her co-star caused Doherty to leave the popular TV program “Charmed,” which she co-starred in with Alyssa Milano. The “Who’s the Boss” actress paid respect to Doherty after learning of her passing, despite their complex past.

The friendship between Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty was characterized by drama off-screen and on-screen camaraderie. Due to a podcast, their feud from the venerable television program “Charmed” reappeared in late 2023. Now that Doherty has passed away, many people are curious to learn more specifics about their relationship. Did Milano damage the career of Doherty? Let’s investigate!

Shannen Doherty’s Passing and Several Difficulties

Celebrating her work in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed,” the actress passed away on Saturday, July 13, at the age of 53. After several years, Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane reported that she had lost her fight with cancer.

She died with her dog, Bowie, by her side and in the company of dear ones.

Shannen Doherty attends the 9th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 05, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

When she was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, this battle started. In 2019, the cancer that had been in remission since 2017 came back, reaching stage 4.

Doherty disclosed in June 2023 that the illness had progressed to her brain and that she would require surgery to remove a tumor she had given the name Bob. Doherty persisted in wanting to work and live life to the fullest despite all of this.

“I have more life left in me. I have more love in me. I have more to create. She reassured the public, “I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better.

Many people found inspiration in her tenacity and candor regarding her struggles, and they harbor warm memories of Brenda Walsh and Prue Halliwell, two of her characters.

Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris, and Shannen Doherty of “Beverly Hills 90210” pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

In keeping with her promise, Doherty worked during her cancer treatment and took part in the 2019 revival of “Beverly Hills, 90210”.

The actress discussed her spiritual beliefs and expressed thanks for life in her final interview with People in November 2023.

Her statement, “My greatest memory is yet to come,” “I offer prayers. I pray for the things that are important to me without making excessive requests when I wake up and go to bed, giving thanks to God. It strengthens my spiritual and higher power connections. My motto is my faith.

Doherty’s health issues were exacerbated by financial hardships she had following her divorce from Kurt Iswarienko.

Shannen Doherty and then-husband producer Kurt Iswarienko attend Hollywood Unites for the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on September 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She accused him in a court document of dragging out the case in the hopes that she would pass away before having to make spousal support payments.

Doherty asked for $15,343 per month, citing a year-over-year decline in her income from medical bills, unemployment, and diminished residual revenue from “Charmed.”

Her ex-husband, however, persisted in leading an opulent life, traveling and purchasing expensive goods, all the while complaining he didn’t have enough money to support her.

Nothing worsens an already complex scenario than financial difficulties, and in the meanwhile, her long-running pseudo-feud with Alyssa Milano arose again.

The Drama with Milano

Fans and viewers have been talking about Doherty’s and her co-star’s friction on the set of “Charmed” for years.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight after departing the show in 2001, Doherty alluded to problems that existed on site. She said she wanted to work with actors who were dedicated to being there every day and who truly cared about their work. The actress claimed that there was not enough passion for the task and too much drama on the set.

Her resignation at the time was surrounded by rumors of internal strife. “I don’t want to work with people who [expletive] about their job and complain about it and say that they hate it or anything else,” she said, feeding the rumors.

Remarkably, she made no mention of Milano at all, choosing instead to solely express her sadness for her other co-start, Holly Marie Combs.

Holly Marie Combs and Shannen Doherty arrive ahead of opening night of Opera Australia’s production of Carmen at Sydney Opera House on June 16, 2016 in Sydney, Australia | Source: Getty Images

Nevertheless, Doherty provided additional details about her departure from “Charmed” in a December 2023 podcast episode titled “Let’s Be Clear.”

Doherty asserted that she was sacked off the show when Milano threatened to sue, defying the widely held belief that she departed voluntarily. The actress disclosed that other people had given her the narrative of her “quit”.

On the podcast, Combs, who portrayed Piper in “Charmed,” backed up Doherty’s story. She related how she met producer Jonathan Levin, who she said supposedly validated Milano’s demand:

Nonetheless, Doherty declared her affection for the cast and the show. “I cherished going to work there. She remarked, “I cherished the people I worked with.” The actress said that she didn’t remember treating Milano badly while she was working on a project, not even giving in to her demands as an episode director.

However, the actress also mentioned that there was no longer any animosity or hatred. They were merely trying to set the record straight and give the supporters the whole truth.

Doherty also had to acknowledge that she was prodded to accept the storyline that she left the show to pursue personal interests. Representatives for her said that she wouldn’t “survive” being fired from another program, like she had with “Beverly Hills, 90210.”

Combs went on to say that Milano had purportedly used documentation of every uncomfortable moment she experienced on site to build a case against Doherty. This strategy, in her words, “wouldn’t [expletive] fly” in the modern world.

However, contrary to what some people might still think, there were no fights or nasty words exchanged on set at the end of the day. Rather, until Milano’s departure, a competitive dynamic existed between Doherty and him.

Doherty said that she was the first person hired for the event and that, following its popularity, she was given the opportunity to make a solo appearance on the Rolling Stone cover. Following that, the actress became aware of her co-star’s “lack of female support”.

Milano Reacted to the Podcast

The actress, who portrayed Phoebe in “Charmed,” spoke about the drama’s reappearance at a panel at MegaCon in Orlando.

A fan asked a question, and Milano used the chance to talk about “the elephant in the room.” She cited Doherty and Combs’ words from the podcast, as well as earlier remarks made by Rose McGowan, who took over as Paige on the show when Doherty left.

Alyssa Milano speaks at MegaCon Orlando 2024 at Orange County Convention Center on February 02, 2024 in Orlando, Florida | Source: Getty Images

In the end, her main emotion was disappointment. Milano said, “I’m the most sad for the fans.” “I’m the most sad that a show that has meant so much to so many people has been tarnished by a toxicity that is still to this day, almost a quarter of a century later, still happening.”

In order to clarify her viewpoint, the actress later posted on Instagram: “I don’t wanna add on to anyone else’s pain because I don’t think that’s cool either.”

Milano insisted that the incidents had place more than 20 years ago. “Any retelling of these stories from anyone is just revisionist history,” she continued.

She also mentioned in her post that the charges were investigated by a qualified mediator. The network, Aaron Spelling, and the studio ultimately chose to let Doherty travel to “protect the international hit that was ‘Charmed.'”

“I didn’t have the authority to terminate anyone. We had five more great seasons after Shannen left, and for that, I will always be grateful,” Milano wrote in the end of her essay.

In addition, the actress expressed her gratitude to the fans who have endured the protracted drama and sent her former co-stars Holly, Shannen, and Rose well wishes for “peace and light.” Milano went on to say they were facing “bigger demons to fight.”

One of her supporters wrote, “It’s very sad that it turned out this way, but Alyssa, we believe in you,” as her supporters came together in support of her.

Others wrote, “I can’t believe this is still being talked about,” expressing their disgust with the ongoing fight. That’s what keeps it going—the folks who ask the ‘Charmed’ actresses questions about it. Give them all your privacy.

Alyssa Milano from the tv show “Charmed” in 1999 | Source: Getty Images

Doherty Was Also at MegaCon on a Separate Day

On a different day than Milano, Doherty spoke about the current dispute during a MegaCon panel with McGowan and Combs.

She noted in a prepared statement that it was very essential to her to hear the truth rather than the story that other people had written about her because of her medical diagnosis.

Reiterating what she and Combs had said on their podcast, she said, “We told it together, we told our truth, and we are standing by our truths.”

Doherty’s moving speech made clear how profoundly these earlier experiences have affected her life. She talked about the anguish of losing her job and how it affected her family, and she blamed it on someone else’s ambition to be the “most popular person on the call sheet.

Shannen Doherty speaks during a Q&A session at MegaCon Orlando 2024 at Orange County Convention Center on February 04, 2024 in Orlando, Florida | Source: Getty Images

The actress also made direct reference to the fans, stressing the cast’s devotion and dedication to keeping them safe. They had spent “as long as” they could reporting on this story.

This reply implied that, in order to accommodate the show’s fan base, Doherty, Combs, and others had long since concealed their version of events. Doherty concluded by quoting comedian Katt Williams:

Combs Defended Doherty after MegaCon

The actress came to Doherty’s defense following Milano’s statements at MegaCon and Instagram.

Combs posted on social media of her own, expressing disgust at Milano’s refusal to acknowledge what really happened when Doherty left “Charmed.”

This is simply the history that [Milano] didn’t want people to be aware of, the author stated. And the past Shannen had to wait until a month ago to discuss.”

The actress refuted Milano’s assertion in her post that she had no influence over casting choices. She continued by saying that her co-star has the option to halt “the process at any time.”

Combs claimed that Doherty was offered the chance to have Milano substituted, but she turned it down. But these actresses are not to be held solely responsible.

Combs added that it wasn’t the producers’ intention to not find the ideal answer. “It was easier to handle three shattered parts than a single united front. This would have increased their expenses and reduced their valuable profit margin,” the author wrote.

She ended her tweet by thanking her followers for “Charmed.” The actress went on to say that the ensemble was extremely grateful for this “dysfunctional family” in every manner, and that the show was built for them all, despite their differences.

In a subsequent remark on Combs’ reel, McGowan expressed her admiration for her vocalization of the “years of continuous behind-the-scenes character assassination and targeted reputation smearing because of narcissistic pathological jealousy.”

“I wish none of it had to be this way,” she continued. I’m still proud of everyone who was a part of the magic we produced and spread around the globe. While truth can be unsettling, magic never fades.

Milano Paid Tribute to Her Former Co-Worker

After learning of Doherty’s passing, the actress honored her in spite of the backlash. She acknowledged their tumultuous past in a statement to People, but she also expressed her feelings for her former co-star.

“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of,” Milano stated. “Many people adored her as a gifted actor, and the world is a poorer place without her. To everyone who loved her, my sympathies.”

Days had passed since Doherty had revealed that she and her former co-stars would be joining her on a podcast to review “Charmed” when Milano made her statement.

Thus, Doherty remained connected to the global hit “Power of Three” even after her contentious departure from the program. The debut installment of Just a few days before she passed away, on Monday, July 8, this episode was released.

Sadly, the actress could only get five episodes recorded. The fact that she is no longer with us to continue enjoying “Charmed” alongside all of her devoted followers and others who were seeing the show for the first time is incredibly heartbreaking.