Jennie Garth Says ‘90210’ Pressure Led to Plastic Surgery at 24

Jennie Garth says the pressure of fame during her time on Beverly Hills, 90210 led her to undergo plastic surgery at age 24, according to her new memoir released in April 2026.

In I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose, and Embracing Reinvention, Garth reflects on how quickly her self-image changed after joining the hit 1990s series. She writes that before the show, she did not struggle with body image and saw herself as a typical young woman. That shifted once she became part of a highly visible cast and began feeling constantly evaluated.

Garth describes a work environment where she felt judged not only by audiences but also by people around her, including male co-stars and guest actors. She says she frequently compared herself to others and felt pressure to meet a certain standard of attractiveness.

During the show’s sixth season, she decided to have breast augmentation and liposuction. She writes that at the time, she came to believe cosmetic procedures were necessary to maintain relevance in Hollywood. She also points to the dominant beauty trend of the mid-1990s, which favored a thin, “waif-like” appearance, saying she tried to reshape herself to fit that image in hopes of feeling accepted.

The memoir also addresses other difficult periods in her life. Garth discusses her divorce from actor Peter Facinelli and a subsequent period of substance use involving alcohol and pills, which led to a medical emergency. She presents this as part of a broader pattern of coping with emotional stress.

In later years, Garth has faced significant physical health challenges, including undergoing two hip replacement surgeries in her 40s. She now speaks openly about aging and advocates for a more accepting view of physical change.

At 54, Garth says she has reached a more stable sense of self. She recently appeared in a lingerie campaign aimed at promoting body confidence and supporting women navigating menopause. In interviews tied to the book’s release, she emphasizes that her focus has shifted from meeting external expectations to accepting her appearance and life as they are.