The Complete Transformation Of Alison Sweeney

When it comes to names that have defined television in the '90s and 2000s, Alison Sweeney is definitely one of the first that comes to mind. After her breakthrough on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives," Sweeney became even more well-known thanks to hosting the reality competition show "The Biggest Loser." Speaking to Adam Mendler in 2024, Sweeney did reveal that changing career paths over the years hasn't been easy. "There have been a lot of setbacks and frustrations in my career," she admitted. "A lot of stereotypes associated with being on a soap opera and the challenge of not fitting into the traditional physical description of an actor." Sweeney added, "I think these challenges have helped shape who I am today, the kind of actor and producer I am, not to mention how proud I am of the career I've carved out for myself in spite of these 'failures.'"

Apart from her career evolving and changing, Sweeney's style, beauty choices, and personal life have also changed over the decades she has been in the spotlight. And today, we're focusing on the numerous changes we've noticed her go through from her teenage industry breakthrough to her navigating adulthood with unwavering confidence.

Even though she already had some acting experience, it was in 1993 that Alison Sweeney had her first big, career-defining role. This, of course, is incredibly impressive considering that Sweeney was only 16 at the time. Her portrayal of Samantha "Sami" Brady on the hit NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives" put the actor in the spotlight, and with that came plenty of scrutiny and self-doubt.

In a candid conversation with Glamour in 2007, Sweeney admitted that her weight was a major insecurity of hers. "I've struggled with my weight since I was in high school, and it wasn't easy to be on TV and deal with insecurities on top of everything," she said. Speaking of her education, she revealed to Adam Mendler that she planned to go to college, but her career was exploding at the same time. "I had a brief experience at UCLA," she said in 2024. "I took a few courses after I graduated high school, but my filming commitments at 'Days of our Lives' made it hard to get to campus."

At the time, Sweeney's fashion and beauty choices reflected the trends of the mid-to-late '90s. Dramatic and voluminous side-parts and silk dresses were her red carpet staple, showcasing that the young star certainly knows a thing or two about style. As far as makeup goes, Sweeney loved a classic '90s red lip. In fact, the color she rocked suited her perfectly, proving once again just how important it is to determine which shade of red lipstick is perfect for your skin tone.

As the 2000s kicked off, Alison Sweeney's life seemed perfect. With the turn of the millennium, Sweeney married her partner, California Highway Patrol officer Dave Sanov. In a 2019 conversation with Access, Sweeney revealed that the two — who tied the knot in July 2000 — were actually childhood friends. "His dad and my mom play the violin for feature-film soundtracks, so we've actually known each other our whole lives," she revealed. "I totally had a crush on him when we were kids."

By the early aughts, Sweeney's style became a lot more daring and fun, following the trends of the fashion era. One look that instantly comes to mind is the fun grey-blue matching set she wore to the VH1 Big in 2003. Between the mini skirt, the deep cut halter top, sparkly embellishments, and her icy blue eyeshadow, this entire look is a perfect time capsule of what 2000s fashion was all about. In fact, while it is well known that socialite and reality star Paris Hilton rocked some of the best Y2K outfits in the 2000s, Sweeney's interpretation of trendy 2000s fashion was just as fun.

In February 2005, Alison Sweeney and her husband welcomed their first child, son Benjamin Edward Sanov. This, of course, meant that in the second half of 2004, Sweeney served us numerous maternity fashion moments, proving that a baby bump is incredibly fun to style around.

For the Soap Opera Digest Awards in 2004, the actor paired classic 2000s boot-cut jeans with a beige sweater that draped perfectly around her baby bump. After she had given birth, Sweeney's style subtly changed, as the actor was now ready to embrace more glamorous fashion moments. For the 2005 Daytime Emmy Awards, the "Days of Our Lives" star opted for a V-neck peach-colored gown in a shiny material. While the material hasn't aged well, the cut of the gown is timeless and suits the actor's figure beautifully. Unlike her rather wild makeup era of the early 2000s, Sweeney now embraced a more classic approach to makeup, too. Subtle and glowy looks were her thing, ensuring she always looked her best no matter where she went.

In 2006, Alison Sweeney took on yet another career-defining project — she began hosting the ultra-successful reality competition series "The Biggest Loser." With that, Sweeney became even more open about her body image and the role that weight plays in her career.

"Of course, your figure is a huge part of which parts you get in Hollywood," she admitted to Glamour in 2007. "Sometimes it makes perfect sense, like how ripped Demi Moore was in 'GI Jane,' or all the different body types Russell Crowe has displayed in his films–from 'Gladiator' to 'The Insider.' But sometimes it's just Hollywood's favoritism for thinner actresses, sometimes hiding behind 'the camera adds 10 pounds' or just that 'thinner is what people want to see," she said, adding, "So, definitely I know I've lost roles because of my weight over the years, more than I care to think about."

By openly speaking about this, Sweeney ensured the conversation about Hollywood's unrealistic beauty standards stayed front and center, and thanks to her and plenty of other actors who refused to let the industry define who they are, things began slowly changing. In 2006 and 2007, Sweeney once again embraced her youthful and daring style (this time accompanied by platinum blond locks), proving to everyone that a mother can have fun with her look, no matter what the industry has been imposing on her.

By the end of the 2000s, both Alison Sweeney's personal life and career were thriving. The actor gave birth to her second child, daughter Megan Hope Sanov, in January 2009. For People, her rep revealed that the star remained on the set of "The Biggest Loser" that day for longer than most would have. "She's still in hair and makeup from her day on the set," they said, adding, "It was a very easy delivery, and everybody is great."

While her career has always been incredibly important to Sweeney, she revealed to When Tara Met that finding time for everything can be difficult. "I find myself in 'tight space' when my schedule is packed and I'm headed from one commitment to another," she explained. "From set, to the gym, to an event and so on! It's those days when it's most important to take care of myself and make sure to keep my health on track."

Of course, as a mother of two, Sweeney had plenty of motherly duties, but she never allowed motherhood to take over her entire personality. Sweeney was still focused on her work, and red carpet appearances remained important to her. In 2009, she showed up to the Vision Awards in a stunning black satin bodycon midi dress with delicate embroidery across the front, proving that fashion is still a game she loves to play. Speaking of bodycon dresses, they are definitely one of the 14 types of dresses everyone should own, and Sweeney clearly knows that.

As the 2010s kicked off, Alison Sweeney was not only in incredible shape, but she also seemed the happiest she's ever been. The star was juggling her busy life as a mother and wife with her successful career as an actor and television host. Judging from the outside, the host of "The Biggest Loser" managed to find the perfect balance. In a conversation with Life is Beautiful, Sweeney shared her advice on how a working mother can manage it all. "So many are pulling us in all directions at all times, and we feel the weight on our shoulder[s], so it's hard to make time for yourself, but it's so important to make time for yourself," the star explained. "Working out gives you more energy, helps you to have positive energy and better mood, so that is my advice, to work out."

The host of "The Biggest Loser" also shared her secret to success, revealing that she is always open to new opportunities. "I live [by the] motto of 'Don't have any regrets,' so even if I have 10 opportunities all in one week, I'd rather have tried to make it all work and fail [than] to miss a chance and regret," Sweeney shared. "Life is full of once-in-a-lifetime things, so take it before it goes away."

With the new decade, Sweeney (who was now in her mid-30s) was ready to embrace new fashion trends. Sparkly clothing, over-the-knee boots, and statement jewelry became her look, and we have to admit that this might just be our favorite Sweeney fashion era. In fact, some of the 2010s trends she rocked have already made a fashion comeback. 

2014 marked a big change in Alison Sweeney's career as the actor left "Days of Our Lives" after starring on the show for over two decades. Now, Sweeney was ready to focus on her career as a Hallmark star, and letting go of the soap opera that put her in the spotlight simply seemed like the right decision. Speaking of changes, Sweeney also slowly parted ways with her platinum hair, opting for a much darker shade of blond. In fact, maintaining platinum blonde hair is not only more expensive than you think, but it's also very time-consuming.

Speaking to Allure in 2014, Sweeney shared her best beauty tips. "The most important ones are the simplest. My mother always taught me to use sunscreen every day," she explained, adding, "Another is to take care of my smile. I think it's one of the first things people notice about you." When asked what beauty products she can't live without, the actor responded, "I don't travel without my eyelash curler. Mandatory." 

As someone who has always been open about her fitness and health journey, Sweeney shared with WebMD in 2014 her de-stressing tips. "I definitely do feel overworked sometimes, and the most tempting thing is to try and get enough sleep," she said. "With two kids and burning the candle at both ends, I feel like I can always find something else to do before I go to sleep, because that endless 'to do' list calls me."

A year after leaving "Days of Our Lives," Alison Sweeney decided that it was time for another career change as she left her hosting job on "The Biggest Loser." Both projects have marked her career in big ways, but as she was about to enter her 40s, Sweeney was ready for career changes.

Speaking of what the reality show taught her, Sweeney told Parade in 2016, "The main thing that I took away from the show is that it is up to you to take care of your body; no one else can do it for you. I am proud of how I take care of myself and no longer feel deprived or punished," the actor explained. "My family and I focus on eating right, working out and getting enough sleep. I always make sure that I get enough sleep, and if there are mornings that I don't want to wake up early for the gym, that is ok," she added.

While her style always followed current trends, in the mid-2010s, we noticed that the actor had a preference for edgy black clothing. In 2015, she attended the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards in a black bodycon dress with metallic stud embellishments, which were very popular at the time.

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Alison Sweeney continued working on her career, but with the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the star ended up spending plenty of quality time with her family. Speaking of her Christmas traditions, Sweeney told Smashing Interviews in 2019, "The most important is the time spent with my family. We plan nice events with our family and go away on trips together," she explained. "We like to go up to the mountains and get some skiing in and be in the snow." The actor said that she loves to cook with her family, saying, "It's fun to do it with the kids and have us all be together."

When asked what she likes to do during her spare time, Sweeney says her main focus is always her children. "I spend time with my kids, sometimes it's just as simple as staying at home with them because they're got school and stuff they need to do," the actor revealed. "It's important to create that stability for them in their lives. I love being a mom, and I love everything that we do," Sweeney said, adding, "It's been fun to spend time with them at home even if it's just making dinner or helping them with their homework. Sometimes we like to go away on the weekends, or Megan and I ride our horses together."

By now, it was clear that her career as a Hallmark star was thriving, and when Sweeney attended events and premieres for her projects, she always stunned with her fashion choices. Silk and satin dresses paired with curls and a side-part became common choices the star gravitated toward, proving that her early 40s are just as fashionable as her previous eras.

Over the years, Alison Sweeney has given her fans plenty of insight into her personal life. However, in her conversation with Adam Mendler, Sweeney revealed a couple of things her fans might not know. "Perhaps they don't know that I speak Spanish fluently or that I've been riding horses since I was a little kid," she shared. "Interacting with an animal, communicating and caring for a beautiful creature like a horse, or people who have pets like dogs and cats... I think it's been a big part of who I am."

The actor also opened up about the influence her parents had on her life, sharing that she wouldn't have been where she is without them. "My parents have been very important influences in my life," Sweeney said. "My mom always encouraged me to pursue my artistic instincts. She's a violinist, and I remember even as a kid being so inspired by her talent and her connection to her instrument. It's so beautiful to see a real artist perform, and I was so lucky to grow up surrounded by that."

Still allowing herself to have fun with fashion, Sweeney was now leaning into cuts and colors she knew suited her. A popular choice she often gravitated toward was various shades of green, which always beautifully enhanced the actor's blue eyes.

Today, Alison Sweeney can look back on a successful career that spans more than three decades. From her time on a soap opera and a reality competition show host to becoming known as the queen of cozy films, Sweeny has shown that following your dreams is necessary at every stage of your life.

In a 2025 interview for Reader's Digest, Sweeney revealed that as she's approaching her 50s, paying close attention to what her body is telling her is crucial. "Your body is sending you signs, trying to tell you what's not working," Sweeney said. "One of the things people are talking about a lot right now that we need to focus on is our gut health."

On Instagram, the actor continues sharing her personal moments with fans, from candid selfies from her anniversary dinner to time spent nurturing her hobbies like horseback riding. It's clear that Sweeney has come a long way since her breakthrough as a teenager in the '90s, and here at Glam, we can't wait to see what the next decade has in store for her. Now, speaking of stars who had their breakthrough in the '90s, be sure to also check out the complete transformation of Rachael Ray!