Donna Martin
Donna Martin Silver | |
---|---|
Portrayed by | Tori Spelling |
Duration |
|
First appearance | " Gina Kincaid (half-sister) |
Donna Martin Silver is a fictional character from the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, portrayed by Tori Spelling from 1990 to 2000. Donna reprised her role in 90210 for a multi-episode arc in 2009.
Casting
When Tori Spelling auditioned for the role, she auditioned with a different last name, to avoid accusations of nepotism since her father was the series producer.[1]
Background
Donna was introduced in the first season as
In high school, Donna discovered she had dyslexia and struggled at exams. She also almost failed to graduate after she was caught drinking alcohol at the senior prom. This led to a student demonstration to support her, and the slogan of her classmates "Donna Martin graduates!" would go on to become a pop culture catchphrase.[2]
Donna graduated from the show's fictional California University with a degree in Fashion & Marketing and would later go on to run her own fashion boutique. In the final season, Donna discovered that her cousin
During the late 1990s, she and long time friend
Relationships
Donna first became romantically involved with
The next year, David's pressures on Donna finally led her to agree to have sex with him, but she changed her mind at the last minute, and David got upset and broke up with her. David then started doing drugs, including
The following year after entering college, Donna met Griffin Stone (
A few months later, a man named Garret Slan tried to rape her at knifepoint. She was rescued by David, but she and Ray continued dating. Donna and Ray celebrated the holidays together and their relationship got more intimate. Donna dated Ray for a year, but he eventually became
Finally, on their college
90210
In episode 4 of the spin-off 90210, Kelly and Brenda crack a joke about being back at West Beverly and still hearing "Donna Martin Graduates." Also, in conversation Kelly and Brenda mention that Donna has a baby and that it is "so cute." It is revealed that Donna has returned to Beverly Hills after experiencing a rough patch in her relationship with David. Later on, Donna finds herself in a dilemma when she must decide between returning to Japan and being with David or moving back to Beverly Hills and bringing their daughter, Ruby, with her.
Recurring themes
One of the recurring themes of the show was Donna's many attempts to lose her virginity.[3][4][5][6][7] Some TV and social critics have criticised the character for further stigmatising virginity.[8]
Reception
Tori Spelling was often accused of getting the role of Donna Martin due to her father Aaron Spelling, the creator and executive producer of Beverly Hills 90210.[9][10][11] The character has become part of a popular meme called "Donna Martin graduates".[12][13][14]
References
- ^ "90210's last episode aired May 17". Ew.com. 19 May 2000. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ Masket, Seth (June 7, 2018). "How Donna Martin graduated". Vox. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ "'You Waited': The Oral History of Donna Losing Her Virginity on Beverly Hills, 90210". Vulture. 19 December 2013.
- ISBN 9781621363316. Retrieved 14 August 2017 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781134737567. Retrieved 14 August 2017 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9780718830069. Retrieved 14 August 2017 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9780814772003. Retrieved 14 August 2017 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781596986138. Retrieved 14 August 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ Kelly, Aoife (October 4, 2015). "Tori Spelling admits getting Shannon Doherty fired from Beverly Hills 90210 and lending her dress stained with 'virgin blood' for photoshoot". The Independent. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ^ Aurthur, Kate (March 30, 2006). "On 'So Notorious,' Tori Spelling Mocks Herself Before You Can". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
- ^ Lippman, John (19 October 1992). "Spelling Demands Apology for '90210' Parody on 'Edge' : Television: The Fox network is in the position of having offended its top program supplier". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ Rich, Katey (May 8, 2014). "90210 Will Never Be the Same After You Read What Jason Priestley is About to Tell You". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ "Six Most Memorable Moments of (the Original) Beverly Hills, 90210". People. 2 September 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- Vulture.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.