Actress Tori Spelling has opened up about what she describes as her most challenging on-set experience, stemming from her role in the 2003 science fiction comedy, Evil Alien Conquerors. Spelling, widely recognized for her portrayal of Donna Martin in the iconic 1990s drama Beverly Hills, 90210 and its subsequent reboot, had hoped the film would serve as a significant step in her comedic acting career.

A Comedy Ambition Dashed

Following the conclusion of the original Beverly Hills, 90210 in 2000, Spelling accepted a part in director Chris Matheson’s film, Evil Alien Conquerors. The movie, which also featured actors Diedrich Bader and Chris Parnell, cast Spelling in the uncredited role of Jan, an alien attempting to blend in with humans by using a disguise. This project was intended to showcase a different facet of her acting abilities, moving beyond her established dramatic persona.

Speaking on a recent episode of the One Bad Movie podcast hosted by Stephen Baldwin, Spelling, who also starred in the Scary Movie franchise, identified Evil Alien Conquerors as the low point of her professional filming experiences. She explained her initial optimism: “I came into this from 90210 and having my forever persona being Aaron Spelling’s daughter, being like, ‘Oh, this is going to be great for me.’”

Constant Criticism on Set

However, the reality of the production proved to be far from what Spelling had anticipated. She alleged that from the very beginning of her involvement, the director’s approach was consistently critical. “From the moment I stepped on set, it was like I couldn’t say one word without the director being like, ‘Tori, can you do that again?’ Everything was just, a little bit less,” she recounted. This constant feedback loop contrasted sharply with her previous experiences, particularly in dramatic roles.

Spelling elaborated on this difference, noting that while she was accustomed to receiving direction for dramatic performances, her experience in comedy had always been positive. “I was used to taking notes on my dramatic acting, but comedy, no one ever gave me a note. It was always, ‘Oh my God, that’s great, go for it.’” In contrast, during the filming of Evil Alien Conquerors, she felt that no matter the length or complexity of her lines, whether a single sentence or an extended monologue, she would receive directorial notes. “It didn’t matter whether I had a paragraph or a monologue,” she stated.

The Director’s Method

The director’s feedback was not delivered privately but often publicly, according to Spelling’s account. She described a pattern where, after each take, regardless of the scene’s context—whether it involved just her and another actor or a larger ensemble cast of twenty—the director would call for a cut and then address her directly. “Every time! He would say it out loud across all the other actors and everyone in the room and I’d be shuddering,” she recalled.

This persistent public criticism created a deeply uncomfortable and demoralizing environment. Spelling shared that she developed a coping mechanism by mentally reframing the situation as a personal comedy routine. “I developed a way to handle the constant criticism by turning it into ‘a comedy routine in my own head, because it got to the point where every line I delivered was just thrown away.’”

Emotional Toll of the Experience

The cumulative effect of this treatment led Spelling to believe the director held a personal animosity towards her. “That director, he just hated me,” she asserted. The emotional strain was significant, causing her to question her ability to continue with the project. “I was like, ‘Just fire me and recast. This is so hard on me.’ I went to set every day just like a puddle.” The intensity of the experience left her feeling diminished and vulnerable on a daily basis.

Representatives for Chris Matheson were contacted for comment regarding Spelling’s statements.

Conclusion

Tori Spelling’s candid reflection on her time making Evil Alien Conquerors highlights the profound impact that a negative directorial approach can have on an actor’s experience and performance. While the film was intended to be a stepping stone in her career, it ultimately became a memorable instance of professional hardship, underscoring the importance of a supportive and constructive on-set environment.