Tori Spelling, the longtime actress known for her role on Beverly Hills, 90210, has opened up about a grueling two-month battle with illness that left her bedridden and grappling with feelings of hopelessness. In a candid episode of her podcast MisSpelling released on Friday, February 6, the 52-year-old star described the ordeal as 'hell,' detailing how a sinus infection spiraled into a cascade of complications including vertigo, inner ear infections, and severe flu-like symptoms.
Spelling's troubles began around December 16, when she first fell ill, according to her own account shared during the podcast. What started as sinus issues quickly escalated, forcing her to miss work and podcast episodes for eight weeks. 'It has been hell. Hell is individual to all of us, but this has been hell,' she said. 'I know I have had a past of getting sick a lot, infrequently, but this one took me down.' The illness, she explained, was triggered by exposure to a barrage of viruses circulating in her household, courtesy of her five children: Liam, 18; Stella, 17; Hattie, 14; Finn, 13; and Beau, 8, whom she shares with ex-husband Dean McDermott.
Jokingly referring to her kids as 'five petri dishes,' Spelling recounted how illnesses passed from one child to another, with her testing positive each time. 'I now know the name of every virus and bacterial thing out there. There was enterovirus, there was rhinovirus, there was Covid. It’s everything, RSV,' she said. The symptoms were relentless: 'the worst flu-like symptoms you can imagine,' leaving her flat on her back. As the infection deepened, it affected her Eustachian tubes— the passages connecting the middle ear to the throat—leading to vertigo that persists even now.
Medical interventions proved frustrating. Spelling underwent multiple rounds of antibiotics, but 'nothing was working' until she tried a nasal rinse with medications. Doctors used cameras to examine her sinuses, revealing the extent of the inflammation. 'I could see what was going on. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s crazy what’s up there,'' she recalled. At one point, physicians told her she was improving by only 10 percent, a pace that felt agonizingly slow. Even during the February 6 recording, Spelling admitted she was 'not 100 percent' back to her usual self.
The physical toll was compounded by emotional strain. Confined to bed, Spelling described reaching a point of 'hopeless' depression. 'It gets to the point where it’s depressing being in bed,' she added. 'I don’t want to be back up in that bed again.' Her condition became so severe that she couldn't navigate her home unaided. 'It was so bad,' she continued. 'I couldn’t even come downstairs. [The kids] would have to help me walk to the bathroom to pee. It was outrageous.'
Throughout the ordeal, support came from unexpected quarters. Spelling praised McDermott, from whom she separated in 2023 after 18 years of marriage, for being 'super helpful' amid her illness. The couple, who finalized their divorce proceedings recently, co-parent their children amicably, and his assistance underscored a cooperative dynamic despite their split. This comes amid other family challenges; just last year, Spelling and her kids were forced to evacuate their Los Angeles home due to toxic mold, an event she linked to additional health woes in related reports.
Spelling's absence from MisSpelling was noticeable to fans, with guest hosts stepping in, including her former 90210 co-star Brian Austin Green. In a January 7 episode, Green relayed an update from Spelling, who was still recovering. She had shared earlier that month about using her 'sexy sick voice' while explaining her hiatus. 'I know I have been MIA and it’s been due to sickness,' she said in that recording. 'I’ve literally been sick in bed since December 16. I know I haven’t done my podcast. I’ve been missing doing that so much. It’s such a passion of mine and I love telling my stories and interviewing amazing humans and just getting my voice out there and connecting with you guys.'
At the time, Spelling detailed suffering from multiple sinus infections and bronchitis, frustrations that extended beyond the physical. 'I am frustrated with my body,' she confessed. 'I am frustrated because mentally and emotionally I feel good, I mean exhausted emotionally but my brain is always going.' The illness also derailed personal plans; she and Green had to cancel a January appearance in Las Vegas because of her condition.
This health scare isn't isolated in Spelling's life. The actress has a history of frequent, though infrequent, illnesses, as she noted on the podcast. Her openness about personal struggles is a hallmark of MisSpelling, where she frequently discusses her post-divorce life, parenting challenges, and career reflections. In a separate emotional moment last year, Spelling broke down in tears on the show, expressing fears of 'I Don't Want to Die Alone,' highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities that this illness amplified.
'Eight weeks I couldn’t work. It all started with my sinuses,' Spelling explained. 'Then, it got so ingrained in there it went into my Eustachian Tube. I sound really smart saying that, but that’s your inner ear. It was both sinuses. It was an inner ear infection, Eustachian tube. Then, the vertigo kicked in. I’m still having vertigo.'
Spelling's recovery, while underway, remains incomplete. The nasal rinse finally provided relief, but she emphasized the need for patience. Medical experts, though not directly quoted in her account, aligned with her description of the progression from viral infections to secondary bacterial complications, a common pattern in prolonged respiratory illnesses. Spelling's experience echoes broader public health concerns, particularly in households with school-aged children where viruses like RSV and enterovirus spread easily during winter months.
Looking ahead, Spelling expressed determination to resume her routine. The podcast episode marked her return, albeit not fully recovered, signaling a step toward normalcy. Fans have responded supportively on social media, sharing messages of encouragement and relating similar stories of extended illnesses. For Spelling, who has navigated financial strains and public scrutiny post-90210, this episode underscores her resilience amid personal and health adversities.
As she continues treatment for lingering vertigo and sinus issues, Spelling's story serves as a reminder of the hidden toll of common illnesses, especially for parents juggling family demands. With McDermott's help and her children's assistance, she weathered the storm, but the depression she described highlights the mental health intersections often overlooked in recovery narratives. Spelling plans to dive back into podcasting, promising more unfiltered insights into her life.
In the entertainment world, where public figures like Spelling maintain visibility despite private battles, her transparency could inspire others facing similar health hurdles. While details of her treatment remain personal, her account aligns with reports from health outlets on the challenges of antibiotic-resistant infections and the importance of supportive care networks. As of February 6, Spelling was on the mend, but the full extent of her recovery timeline remains to be seen.
Spelling's ordeal also intersects with her recent life changes, including the mold-related evacuation from her home, which reportedly exacerbated family health issues. Though not directly tied to this illness, the cumulative stress of such events paints a picture of a mother pushing through multiple crises. Her ex-husband's involvement in her care during this period suggests a foundation of co-parenting stability, even as they adjust to separate lives.