Brian Austin Green is opening up about a past relationship that never quite got off the ground—and the insecurity that came with keeping it hidden.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 star revealed on Wednesday’s episode of the Funny Knowing You podcast that he dated Martin actress Tichina Arnold during their Fox Network days in the ’90s.
But there was one major condition: nobody could know.
What started as chemistry between two musicians became complicated by secrecy, insecurity, and cultural dynamics that left Green questioning his own worth.
How Green and Arnold’s Romance Began
Green, who played DJ and rapper David Silver on 90210, explained that his social circle naturally overlapped with Arnold’s world. He was deeply embedded in hip-hop culture during the show’s run from 1990 to 2000.
Hip-hop was my world. I was doing hip-hop clubs. I was going to all the places where hip-hop was existing. So, when you’re dating someone, you usually date the people that you’re around. So, of course, I was dating majority Black women at the time, because we had common interests.
Green emphasized that dating across racial lines wasn’t some deliberate choice for him—it was about shared culture and genuine connection.
That never even crossed my mind because we shared the same culture.
Arnold, who portrayed Pamela James on all five seasons of Martin (1992-1997), became friends with Green through their mutual involvement in music. They collaborated on songs and spent significant time together.
Because we were working together and we were around each other all the time, we just got along really well. So we ended up fooling around and kind of dating.
The Secrecy That Poisoned Everything
From the very beginning, Arnold made her position clear: their relationship needed to stay under wraps.
She was very clear on Day 1 [that] nobody can know about this. And so I was in my early 20s. I was living in a culture that wasn’t accepting of me. But there was no way to get out of it because that was just where my brain and my heart were. So, I was really insecure. And then I have someone who I’m attracted to who’s telling me like, ‘Oh, you can’t tell anybody.’
For Green, who was already navigating feelings of not fully belonging in the predominantly white world of 90210, Arnold’s request hit a painful nerve.
He felt he wasn’t enough—that he needed to be hidden away rather than celebrated as her partner.
When She Changed Her Mind, It Was Too Late
Eventually, Arnold’s perspective shifted. She became more comfortable with their relationship being public knowledge.
But by then, Green had already mentally checked out.
I think somewhere in my mind, I had that subconscious switch of like, ‘Oh, this isn’t a real relationship. This is just a thing that we’re doing. And now maybe her view of it has changed a little bit, but it didn’t even start in a healthy way.’
Starting from a place of secrecy created a foundation too fragile to build upon, even when circumstances changed.
Arnold’s Side: A Pragmatic Ending
Interestingly, Arnold appeared on the same podcast just last month, where she spoke about dating a white actor—later revealed to be Green—with surprising candor.
She described him as a “really, really nice guy” but acknowledged she ended things for practical reasons.
I told him, I said, ‘The reason why we’ve come to the end of our road, because I know I see you dating all these Black women now, you’re dating me and you’re not going to end up with a Black woman. You’re going to share your riches and your legacy with someone white. And so I’m getting off this train.’
Arnold recognized the relationship “wasn’t going anywhere” but still valued what they shared.
But it was a great experience. Because he was a good human being. He was a good human being. And I think in life I had to experience that, so I know what the other side is.
They’ve Since Made Peace
Despite the complicated history, Green and Arnold have maintained mutual respect and affection over the years.
Green revealed that he’d even spoken with Arnold on the same day he recorded his podcast interview, emphasizing that any lingering issues have been resolved.
He said he loves Arnold and holds no grudges about how things played out decades ago.
What This Story Reveals About Interracial Dating in the ’90s
Green and Arnold’s experience offers a window into the complexities of interracial relationships during an era when they were far less normalized than today.
Both faced pressures from different angles:
- Green felt isolated in predominantly white Hollywood while his heart belonged to hip-hop culture
- Arnold may have faced community expectations or concerns about dating outside her race
- Both were young celebrities navigating public scrutiny while trying to honor authentic connections
Their story underscores how external pressures—whether from communities, media, or internalized fears—can undermine even genuine romantic connections.
It also highlights how secrecy breeds insecurity, especially when one partner feels they’re being hidden because they’re somehow “not enough.”
Green’s Dating History on 90210
Green didn’t only date within hip-hop circles. He also had relationships with 90210 costars Tori Spelling and Tiffani Thiessen, among others, during the show’s decade-long run.
But his connection to Black culture and hip-hop remained central to his identity—so much so that podcast host Deon Cole joked Green was “always the Blackest person on 90210,” which made him laugh in recognition.
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Arnold for additional comment.