Tori Spelling has detailed a difficult experience filming the 2003 science-fiction comedy "Evil Alien Conquerors," stating that the director, Chris Matheson, made her feel so uncomfortable that she was left "shuddering" on set.
During an appearance on Stephen Baldwin's podcast "One Bad Movie," Spelling identified "Evil Alien Conquerors" as the worst film of her career. She recalled being offered the role in the film, written and directed by Matheson, which she hoped would help her move beyond her established persona as Aaron Spelling's daughter.
Spelling, who played one of the girlfriends alongside Chris Parnell and Diedrich Bader, described her character as an alien with a "big, furry unibrow and furry feet." Despite her initial enthusiasm, Spelling said the directing process was challenging from the outset. She claimed Matheson frequently interrupted her performances, often instructing her to deliver her lines with "a little bit less" energy, even in comedic scenes where she felt her performance was strong.
"From the moment I stepped on set, it was like I couldn’t say one word without the director being like, ‘Uh, Tori, can you do that again?'" Spelling stated. She contrasted this with her experience on dramatic roles, where she understood receiving direction, but found the constant notes in comedy particularly bewildering.
According to Spelling, Matheson's critiques were consistent, regardless of whether she had a single line or a longer monologue. She recounted how he would call for a cut after her first take and invariably offer a negative note. She described these instances as being called out in front of the entire cast and crew, a situation that left her feeling anxious. "I’d be shuddering," she said, comparing the feeling to making a mistake in a Zumba class.
Spelling expressed that she eventually felt the director "hated" her, to the point where she considered that he should simply recast her. She admitted to going to set feeling overwhelmed, but ultimately felt her performance in the film was acceptable despite the challenging environment. "I watched it. I’m fine in it. But I’m like, ‘Oh, I wish I’d done more with it.' It was just, like, a goofy comedy. He just didn’t like me," she said.
Following the difficult production, Spelling's manager requested that her name be removed from the film's credits, and she ultimately went uncredited in "Evil Alien Conquerors."
Matheson responded to Spelling's account in a statement to People, expressing regret that she felt that way. "I like Tori personally," he told the outlet. "I just think we have some different ideas about comedy."
This recollection comes after Spelling's recent departure from the "9021OMG" podcast, a rewatch series she hosted with former "Beverly Hills, 90210" co-star Jennie Garth. She addressed her exit on Instagram Live, stating her intention to discuss it thoughtfully.