Hollywood’s nostalgic allure proved irresistible for fans this week as Tichina Arnold, the beloved star of the CBS comedy The Neighborhood, peeled back the curtain on a long-buried chapter of her love life, a secret relationship with Beverly Hills, 90210 actor Brian Austin Green.
In a candid episode of the Funny Knowing You podcast, Arnold, now in her mid-50s, looked back at her 1990s romance with Green, a coupling that unfolded away from red carpet lights and tabloid headlines. The two connected in the early days of their careers, bonding over shared interests and frequent hangouts. “It was nice,” Arnold said of the relationship, describing it as a meaningful experience even if it ultimately didn’t last.
But the story took a revealing turn when she explained why it ended. Arnold recalled telling Green, “You’re gonna share your riches and your legacy with someone white… And so I’m getting off this train.” Her frank admission underscored a deeper recognition that their lives were heading in different cultural and emotional directions.
Green, who reflected on the romance from his own perspective, said that Arnold insisted the relationship stay private — a decision that left a lasting impact on him. “Nobody can know about this,” he remembered her telling him. “It really triggered something.” Green said the secrecy made him feel insecure and shaped how he saw himself in the context of love and fame.
Both actors, each a TV icon of the ’90s, now speak openly about their brief but formative connection. While fans continue to dissect the complexities of their time together, Arnold emphasizes that the experience helped clarify what she truly values in love and life.
