AMP in the post
The actress and mother of five addressed the controversy head-on during the latest episode of her “misSPELLING” podcast, setting the record straight about what was meant to be a lighthearted moment.
The Post That Sparked Controversy
Earlier this month, Spelling shared a photo on her Instagram Stories of herself lying face down on a massage table, partially covered by a pink blanket, while Beau appeared to be massaging her calves. The caption read, “Beau said he wanted to do chores in exchange for allowance… solid plan.”
However, what Spelling saw as a playful and harmless exchange quickly turned into a headline-grabbing controversy. Critics online accused her of forcing her son to give her a massage, with some questioning the appropriateness of the image.
The backlash came swiftly, prompting Spelling to clarify that the entire moment was staged and taken out of context.
Spelling’s Explanation: “It Was Just a Joke”
AMP in the post
Speaking candidly on her podcast, Spelling recounted how the situation unfolded.
“So on my [Instagram] Stories recently, I posted what I thought was a very cute photo of my 7-year-old son Beau — pretending to be the key word here — pretending to give me a massage,” she explained. “And then I said he wanted to make money for an allowance, and I thought this was a good way to start. [It] beats chores, something like that. I don’t know. Solid plan.”
She made it clear that Beau had simply come to a massage appointment and wanted to try his hand at it. The massage therapist even snapped a picture, capturing what Spelling thought was an amusing and innocent moment.
“I just think it’s wild,” she continued. “It’s wild the stuff that you can put out there that they change the narrative on so hardcore.”
A Friend’s Warning and the Internet’s Overreaction
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Though Spelling wasn’t expecting such a negative response, she admitted that a close friend had cautioned her about how the image might be perceived.
“I mean, as soon as I put it up, one of my best guy friends DM’d me and was like, ‘That’s not a good look,’” she recalled. “And I’m like, ‘I know’—like joking.”
She even poked fun at the moment, telling her friend, “I know. He was getting all the wrong spots. Like, you should have started on the feet.”
Still, her friend warned her, “Oh my god. People are gonna freak out.” And they did.
Spelling Calls Out Double Standards
Beyond the immediate backlash, Spelling expressed frustration with what she sees as a double standard in Hollywood. She pointed out that comedians with families often post exaggerated or playful moments with their kids, and people laugh it off. But when actors share something similar, the response is often more critical.
“If an actor posts something, they’re like, ‘Oh my god. That must be true. She’s a horrible mom,’” she said.
A fellow mom even reassured her that kids showing affection toward their parents is completely normal. “One of my mom friends was like, ‘It’s normal for kids to walk on their parents’ backs or rub their feet,’” Spelling shared.
Despite having been in the public eye for decades, Spelling admitted that the criticism still stings. A friend tried to put a positive spin on the situation, telling her, “Well, good news is you’re relevant. You’re in the press.” But Spelling wasn’t comforted by that.
“I don’t need people shaming me, thinking I’m forcing my kids to massage me,” she said. “I already have such mom guilt anyway.”
A Peek Into Spelling’s Parenting Hacks
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Spelling’s parenting choices have raised eyebrows. On a previous episode of her podcast, she shared what she called a “lazy mom hack,” admitting that she sometimes dresses Beau for school the night before to save time in the morning.
“It’s so bad. I’ve gotten so lazy with my youngest one because there are so many [kids] that at night I put him in his clothes for the next day,” she laughed. “And convinced him that it’s cool to do that.”
She justified the hack by telling her son, “It will save an extra five minutes if we get dressed now, and then you can sleep later.”
At the end of the day, Spelling is simply trying to navigate motherhood—like any other parent—while under the microscope of public opinion. And while social media can be a place of connection, it can also be a breeding ground for unnecessary criticism.
For now, Spelling is standing by her post, emphasizing that it was nothing more than a moment of fun between a mother and her child.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Tori Spelling right now. Come back here often for all Tori Spelling’s spoilers, news, and updates.
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