‘Saved By The Bell’: Jennie Garth Was Almost Cast As Kelly Kapowski
Jennie Garth was one of the biggest ’90s teen stars, starring as Kelly Taylor on ‘90210’, but ‘The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Movie’ revealed that she could have been another Kelly — Kelly Kapowski! Say what?!
Saved By The Bell was a downright phenomenon, plastering Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and Kelly Kapowski’s (Tiffani Thiessen) faces everywhere, but turns out, Jennie Garth could have been part of the A-list cast…she auditioned to play Kelly!
‘Saved By The Bell’: Jennie Garth Auditioned To Play Kelly Kapowski
Lifetime premiered The Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Story on September 1, and fans freaked out over a huge casting revelation — Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Kelly Kapowski!
Of course, the role ultimately went to Tiffani-Amber Theissen (now known simply as Tiffani Theissen), but viewers were shocked to learned that Jennie didn’t make the cut!
In the scene, casting directors were looking through head shots — which also included Elizabeth Berkley‘s who, of course, ended up being cast as series regular Jessie Spano — and were intrigued by Jennie, but said she was too young. Then entered Tiffani, she blew them away and the rest is history.
Turns out, this is actually not new news. Jennie has spoken about her audition in the past — we’re not sure how reliable this is, but it’s even on the show’s Wikipedia page, and has been public knowledge for quite some time. Regardless, Unauthorized shed light on many unknown Saved By The Bell facts, and this was one of the most surprising to viewers.
Fans Freak Out The Jennie Garth Wasn’t Cast In ‘Saved By The Bell’
Jennie didn’t nab the role, but she was obviously just fine, landing the part of Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills 90210, which debuted in 1990, just one year after Saved By The Bell.
Still, fans were shocked that Jennie didn’t make the cut.
O WOW! Jennie Garth lost out on the role of Kelly Kapowski for “Saved By The Bell” but was later cast as Kelly Taylor on “90210”.
— Xem VanAdams (@XemVanAdams) September 2, 2014
Kind of funny Jennie Garth went on to play “Kelly” on Beverly Hills 90210. #SavedByTheBell
— Elizabeth Hornsby (@erhornsby) September 2, 2014
“So we’re eliminating this girl? Jennie Garth?” Shady #Unauthorized script.
— Brice Sander (@bricesander) September 2, 2014
I’m not sure if I’m upset there was no Jennie Garth or happy for her that she escaped. #SavedByTheBell
— Tammy (@tylynn_sings) September 2, 2014
Had no idea Jennie Garth tried out for Saved by the Bell…
— U11in K (@MrEnterta1nment) September 2, 2014
Lmao at the Jennie Garth shade though
— Shane (@PartyshipDown) September 2, 2014
Jennie Garth, Jaleel White, Jonathan Brandis and Brian Austin Green all auditioned for Saved By The Bell #unauthorized
— Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) September 2, 2014
What, Jennie Garth auditioned? #SavedByTheBell
— The Kitchenista (@MissAngelaDavis) September 2, 2014
Jennie Garth got nixed from saved by the bell???? and they wrote Jessie just for Elizabeth Berkeley? this seems unauthorized
— faboolah (@azninthesun) September 2, 2014
Fun fact: Brian Austin Green, Jennie’s 90210 costar, also auditioned for the original Saved By The Bell!
HollywoodLifers, were you surprised to learn that Jennie auditioned for Saved By The Bell? Drop a comment below, and let us know if you think she was snubbed!
–Elizabeth Wagmeister
More TV News:
- ‘Saved By The Bell’ Star Slams TV Movie: ‘We Know The Lives We Led
- ‘DWTS’: YouTube Star Bethany Mota Joins Season 19 — Celebs Revealed
- ‘The Brittany Murphy Story’: Watch First Trailer For Fallen Star’s Biopic