'Charmed' Stars Remember Shannen Doherty - Fans Outraged by Alyssa Milano's Statement

When Shannen Doherty passed away, one of her controversial former "Charmed" co-stars released a statement that sparked a lot of reactions from fans. This co-star had a long-standing rift with Doherty, who accused her of interfering with her career. Fans quickly spoke up in defense of the late actress.

After years of battling cancer, Shannen Doherty has passed away. In her death, she's been honored by many former colleagues, including one she didn't get along with. This same person was once accused of causing Shannen Doherty to lose her job in the early 2000s.

After Doherty's death at age 53 on July 13, 2024, many people took to social media to pay tribute to the star. Among those who remembered the actress, who lost her battle with breast cancer, were people she once worked with on "Charmed."

Her former co-star, Brian Krause, honored her by sharing a throwback photo of her on his Instagram. In his touching post, he said she showed him what strength is and taught him "to be fearless and live with purpose."

Another thing Krause learned from the star is "to know your value and stick to your determinations." He concluded his message by saying Doherty is "forever loved!" and that he is "truly heartbroken" by the loss.

Meanwhile, another "Charmed" co-star, Ted King, uploaded an old picture of him and Doherty and acknowledged how they "created a special television couple for the ages." He added, "My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace Shannen, rest in peace."

Finola Hughes, who played Doherty's mother on "Charmed," also remembered her fondly. She posted a picture of Doherty on Instagram and paid tribute to her admirable qualities, writing, "Beautiful Shannen. What a warrior. Fierce talent, passionate actor, friend, advocate."

Hughes recalled how her former colleague bravely fought the disease that ravaged her body. She expressed her condolences to Doherty's mother, dog, family, and friends who "loved her as fiercely as she loved them." Hughes apologized for their loss and wished Doherty a peaceful rest.

Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty after her exit from "Charmed," grieved the loss of Doherty with a video showing the actress through the years. McGowan recalled how the late celebrity had "the heart of a lion" adding, "Passion for craft is often mislabeled as trouble. Shannen was passion."

The star said she was in awe when she met the late actress in the 1990s and getting to know her later in life was a "beautiful gift." McGowan recalled how Doherty fought to stay alive and had known how to be a star because she'd been a star since childhood.

Doherty's work ethic inspired the actress until the very end. She also acknowledged, "Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog, and her beloved fans was legendary."

On their lives being "intertwined in a unique way," McGowan explained, "We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect." She also described Doherty as "soft-hearted" and a "force of energy," who will live in people's hearts forever. She ended her message with, "Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister."

Holly Marie Combs also turned to social media to honor Doherty following the news of her passing, with an emotional Instagram that referred to the late actress as Combs' "better half of 31 years."

"There is a hollow in my chest and I can't seem to catch my breath. A part of me is missing even though I know exactly what you would say to me right now," the heartfelt Instagram post continued.

Combs concluded the touching tribute to her late castmate by calling Doherty her best friend and "forevermore" sister, revealing that the late actress taught her the "meaning of family" and expressing her love for Doherty.

Alyssa Milano's Statement That Outraged Fans

Doherty's "Charmed" co-star, Alyssa Milano, also released a statement reacting to her passing. She acknowledged that there were past rifts between them but revealed that she had "deeply respected" and was "in awe of" the late star.

She also described the late celebrity as "talented," "beloved by many," and that "the world is less without her." Milano ended her statement by sending her condolences to Doherty's loved ones. Doherty's fans were not too thrilled with Milano's tribute.

One person who commented on a post about Milano's statement on X said, "I wouldn’t take Milano’s word for anything." Responding to a different X post that uploaded the actress' statement, a reader questioned, "But why you no say (sic) this before ????"

An X user responding to the same post wished the pair could have resolved their rift, saying, "I just wish they had put the past behind and talked again before she died...." Someone unimpressed by Milano's message wrote, "Unpopular opinion. It would have been better if she didn't say anything."

Agreeing with the previous comments, another person criticized, "Alyssa should have stayed quiet." A Doherty fan felt they saw the truth behind the actress' statement, writing, "After the way Alyssa acted for decades towards Shannon, she should be quiet. Of course, she has the need to make it about her!"

Someone who thought Milano had ulterior motives behind her message called her statement "white woman gaslighting 101, lol, 'complicated relationship.'" The X user continued, ".....Alyssa, sweetie, you absolutely ruined her life."

Copying Milano's sentence, "My condolences to all who loved her," another person commented that those words did "not include Alyssa Milano" saying she "really is shameless given her duplicity." Another called the star's message"Lies," adding, "If you knew the way she worked to get Shannen fired, you wouldn’t believe a word of this."

Why Was There Tension between Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty?

While starring in "Charmed," Doherty played Prue, the oldest Halliwell sister, and Milano played the youngest, Phoebe. Combs took on the role of the middle sister, Piper. Although they played sisters on the show, there was real-life tension between them.

On an episode of Doherty's "Let's Be Clear" podcast, she and Combs claimed that Milano played a big role in Doherty getting fired from "Charmed."

Combs remembered being put in a room with the show's producer, Jonathan Levin, after she mentioned not wanting to continue on "Charmed" without Doherty. Levin allegedly told her that the team was in a "position where it's one or the other."

He said they were told Milano threatened to sue her co-stars for creating a "hostile work environment." Milano had reportedly seen a therapist or corporate mediator and built a case to back up her claims.

She documented everything that made her uncomfortable on set, while Doherty and Combs refused to speak to the professional. In the season 3 finale, Prue was killed off and replaced by Paige Matthews, a long-lost half-sister played by McGowan.

Earlier in 2024, at the MegaCon Orlando fan convention, Milano addressed the rumors. She expressed sadness that the series that meant so much to many people "has been tarnished by a toxicity that is still — to this day, almost a quarter of a century later — still happening."

But Combs and Doherty defended themselves. Doherty insisted they weren't being mean on the podcast. At the same convention, she revealed that they edited out anything that could cause issues. She said they told the truth because it mattered and wanted to save Milano and the fans from further heartbreak.

On her podcast, Shannen Doherty, who left "Charmed" in 2001, talked about not returning for the show's 2006 finale, even though she had the option.

She said she regretted that choice for her fans but not for herself. Doherty explained that she was "incredibly wrecked" when they let her go, and walking onto the set years later would have triggered her and "crushed" her all over again.