In March 2016 at 8:31 p.m. I tweeted the following: “I really really wish I were friends with Tiffani Thiessen.” I have no idea what made me put that out into the world at that very moment, but I can tell you it’s totally true. I feel like there are few people on TV I can truly say I’ve grown up watching and still care about, and Tifffani’s one of them. I’ve always just gotten a good vibe from her and was curious to talk about what it’s like playing two iconic roles—Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210. was also excited to hear about her new role on the charming Netflix show Alexa & Katie.
Before our chat, we spoke on the phone to go over what outfit she’d be talking about and I was surprised by her pick. Tiffani wanted to talk about what she wore to a red carpet premiere that she described as a fairytale—it was for her first big movie, Hollywood Ending, and she was handpicked to be in the film by Woody Allen. This gave me pause—the filmmaker has been accused by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow of sexual abuse, which Allen has denied.
Tiffani was dressed by Giorgio Armani himself for her first Cannes film festival to promote 2002’s Hollywood Ending.
J. VespaSince the accusation, several stars have vowed not to work with him. For Tiffani Thiessen, though, the moment in question was more about going from being a TV star in teen shows to having a legitimate movie star moment—listen to her describe walking the iconic red Cannes stairs—and being dressed by one of the most well-known designers in the world, Giorgio Armani to promote Hollywood Ending in France and in New York.
Also in Armani for the New York premiere of Hollywood Ending in 2002.
Ron GalellaWe also talked about what Tiffani bought herself when she realized she was actually making some real money (she admitted she was at the Gucci store a lot in the ’90s), how her style has changed after becoming a mom to two kids, what it was like going through puberty on national television, Valerie Malone’s combat boots, and how we have her to thank for that weird ’90s trend in which we left our top jeans button undone.
Here’s the episode!
Follow host Perrie Samotin on Instagram @perriesamotin, guest Tiffani Thiessen at @tiffanithiessen, and subscribe to What I Wore When on Apple Podcasts or where ever you listen to your favorite shows.