Jennie Garth: ‘Dating after divorce is torture’

CEBU, Philippines - Jennie Garth has dated her fair share of men since splitting with husband Peter Facinelli in March 2012. But according to the “Beverly Hills 90210” alum, being back on the singles scene hasn’t been easy.

Appearing on a recent episode of talk show “Bethenny,” the 41-year-old mother of three says it’s “super challenging” being a single parent. “I’ve had to go through a lot. You have to find your way and stumble and make mistakes. I think that’s the only way you learn how to do it is by making mistakes, unfortunately. I expected to come out of it and just be great at it.”

“I’m smart and I thought I could do it,” she adds. “How hard could it be? I’ve realized I have to fumble my way and create the space to really be open to learning because I don’t know how to do it.”

Dating after divorce has its drawbacks, according to Garth. “It’s fun and it’s awful all at the same time,” says the star, who recently began dating Michael Shimbo, CEO of the San Francisco-based company Trains, Planes and Automobiles. “It’s like a weird type of torture, but it can be fun.”

After kissing more than a few frogs, Garth hopes to one day find her prince. “I look for somebody that shares an energy,” she reveals. “It doesn’t matter what the person looks like or what they really do. There has to be that first and foremost, that zing. That thing.”

Her love life aside, Garth has been experiencing a career resurgence thanks to her former “Beverly Hills 90210” costar Tori Spelling. The two blondes will executive produce and star in a new ABC Family pilot called “Mystery Girls,” which begins filming in November. (FREEMAN)