Tori Spelling reveals her daughter's question sparked Dean McDermott divorce

In a heartfelt episode of her podcast 'misSPELLING,' Tori Spelling shared the emotional journey leading to her divorce from Dean McDermott, which was filed on March 29, 2024. The actress, known for her role in 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' recounted how a profound question from her youngest daughter, Hattie, 13, compelled her to reassess her marriage. Hattie's inquiry, 'Have you ever considered what it would be like to be with someone else and not Dad and get treated right?' highlighted tensions within the family and prompted Spelling to recognize the negative impact of their relationship on their children. The couple had been married for 18 years, and their separation was formally cited as being effective from June 17, 2023. This date holds significance, as it also marked the day McDermott announced their separation on Instagram, although he later deleted the post. Spelling explained that the family's dynamic had deteriorated, revealing that McDermott's struggles with addiction had led to a toxic environment. She reflected on how her desire to keep the family together contributed to her prolonging a detrimental situation, affecting her and their five children: Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau. Spelling’s turmoil during the relationship was increasingly visible to their children, and she stated that she often found herself in difficult situations due to McDermott’s behavior associated with his addiction. As McDermott faced his issues, he expressed how his intoxication often resulted in angry confrontations, which instilled fear within the family, leaving Spelling feeling inferior. Eventually, she arrived at a conclusion that staying in the marriage was doing a disservice to her children, who were witnessing the conflicts between their parents. This realization allowed her to make the difficult decision to leave. In the weeks following her divorce filing, Spelling began the process of seeking sole physical and joint legal custody of their children, understanding the importance of providing a stable environment in the aftermath of their separation. The multi-faceted dynamics of their relationship led to a painful yet necessary change, as both parents aimed to work collaboratively for the well-being and support of their children during this transitionary period.