Alison Sweeney embraces ‘normal' life in Arizona while prioritizing health over Hollywood hype
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the former "Days of Our Lives" star, 48, opened up about her decision to leave Los Angeles and explained why she prioritizes health and wellness over the Hollywood hype these days.
"I mean, no [I don't miss Hollywood]," Sweeney, who has recently partnered with Align Probiotics for their latest campaign, told Fox News Digital. "I miss my family. I love my family. I go to visit them all the time, but they're not really in Hollywood or whatever. So, no, I am thrilled with my life. I love how normal it is."
The actress made her acting debut at the age of four when she landed a role in a Kodak commercial. From there, she went on to find major success with various film and TV roles, including the role of Sami on the longtime-running soap opera "Days of Our Lives."
In 2019, the former "Biggest Loser" host told Fox News Digital that being a child actor had taught her "that there's always someone out there who is prettier and skinnier and fancier."
She said she was able to combat that by gradually learning to believe in herself and what she had to offer, and by figuring out how to "find that confidence" within herself. And as other childhood stars were succumbing to the temptations of the limelight, Sweeney said her family was really instrumental in helping her to keep her head on straight.
"I was really lucky. I'm from LA, so it wasn't a big fish-out of-water story, and my parents are super grounded and normal and real and tough and strict," she said. "I was never left out on my own to figure that out. I was always really guided by my brothers and my parents, who were all very loving."
These days, Sweeney is enjoying normalcy, while continuing to prioritize her health and wellness.
"I am a busy mom and I work all the time, and you really don't have a lot of time for your gut health to not be aligned," said Sweeney, who shares two children with husband David Sanov. "And so it was a great partnership [with Align Probiotics] because I care about my health. Everything you're reading right now is people trying to be more healthy, people trying to understand their bodies better. And one of the things I learned at 'The Biggest Loser' is that you are getting signs from your body. Your body is trying to communicate with you. It's trying to help you."
"And if you're listening to those signs, you can make a lot of better choices for yourself," she continued. "Staying active is very important, I'm not going to knock that, but I do think nutrition is number one for your health, and eating well. I'm not really hip to the Hollywood scene, but what I noticed with moms I'm friends with and just other everyday women is just more awareness … that your nutrition can make a difference in how you feel and your health."
Sweeney said that getting "skinny" is not the way to go, but rather striving for "healthy living."
"Skinny is really not the right goal," she said. "Healthy living is the right goal. It is something to look forward to, something to strive towards. It's a marathon, it's not a sprint. And so, it's really important to look at big picture."
And family is a huge part of that bigger picture.
The Hallmark actress, who recently celebrated 25 years of marriage with Sanov, said "the little things" in life are what matter the most.
"Communication is key," she said. "I know that's maybe too cheesy to say, but just staying in contact, talking all the time, checking in on the little things. I used to say that gestures, loving gestures are so important, but it's not romantic. Like, 'Oh, bring me flowers every week.' It's little things like, he charges my phone for me when I can't find it. I make him cappuccino in the morning just to be nice. And then not only doing those things for your partner, but recognizing … and acknowledging them and allowing that to be the sweet care and gesture that it is."
"Don't take it for granted," she added. "Appreciating those little moments are just as valuable."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce posted pictures of him and Taylor Swift to show 'how serious things have become'
Travis Kelce shared a carousel of photos from his off-season to Instagram and included Taylor Swift in seven of them.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Acting royalty Helen Mirren at 80 - 'Don't ever tell me to grow old gracefully!'
Dame Helen Mirren is as fearless, feisty and adventurous as ever. And as she celebrates her 80th birthday today, 26 July, she can certainly rest in the knowledge that she remains one of Britain's most ageless actors - one who has always pushed tirelessly against the idea of how long a woman can remain 'relevant' - particularly on-screen. The national treasure, who has played a whole host of iconic roles, from Detective Jane Tennison in the television series Prime Suspect to her Oscar-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 film The Queen reveals the secrets to her 40-year relationship with husband director Taylor Hackford. She also reveals she never plans a thing when it comes to the future - and why, as she prepares to celebrate her milestone birthday, the last thing she wants to hear is that she looks 'good for her age' or worse, that she's 'ageing gracefully'... How is your approach to ageing gracefully helping you with turning 80? I am not ageing gracefully at all! I hate that term - it sounds like you have to be elegant and accepting, and, no, I am not. I am ageing with fun, with commitment but not gracefully. Who cares about graceful? We just do grow older, there's no way you can escape that. You have to grow up with your own body, your own face and the way it changes. It's not always easy but it is inevitable. You have to learn to accept it. How do you feel when someone says you look good for your age? Insulted (laughs). You look good for your age is patronising. I hate that kind of comment. Be prepared, if you use that phrase, to be dissed in a major way! You've often credited the 1950s Canadian Air Force program for keeping you looking so fit and healthy... That's true. I have to admit, I don't do it so much now, and I should get back into it. It is a great way to get fit. You just do what they tell you to do. You start very low and you think, 'Oh, this is just much too easy.' And if it is, then you start making it more difficult for yourself. Then you go, 'Oh my God, no, this is really difficult.' It can be quite challenging, but it works. It's great.' What are your top tips to keep looking and feeling good? It's as important to make the inside of you, as healthy as the outside of you. I always go everywhere with my vitamins. That is probably the most important thing in my beauty bag, actually. What you eat, what you drink, what you don't smoke, really makes a massive difference to your skin, especially as you progress through life. It's incredibly important to feed the inside of your skin, as much as the outside of your skin.' How has your relationship with beauty and image changed over the years? The majority of us are not beautiful. There are beautiful people who walk on this planet, and we can all see them and appreciate them, but the majority of us are not beautiful like that. But, we can put on style, we can put on swagger, we can put on confidence, we can put on wit and charm, and lots of other things that are just as attractive as sheer beauty. So, I think in a way, that word - beauty - it alienates people. It did for me, for many years, I have to say. Is there anything you've learned about beauty that you wish you'd known when you were younger? Yes, to let go of the concept of beauty. Think of confidence. Think swagger. Enjoy beauty where you see it, absolutely, but let go of it for yourself. Don't let it influence your thinking in any way. I remember being in my thirties and being told, if I used this cream, I could look like I was a teenager again, with absolutely no marks of any living whatsoever. That annoyed me. Luckily, we have gone way beyond that. Where does your own confidence and swagger come from? It took a while and I'm still working on it. I was very, very insecure as a young person. My body was the wrong shape. I was very insecure around people. The most important thing is to remember that probably everybody feels the same.' You play many strong, ferocious characters on-screen. Are you anything like them in real-life? I wouldn't say I'm ferocious. I'm a total wimp. I'm not a confrontational person at all. I can be argumentative sometimes - more so when I was younger. I would defend positions that I thought were correct. I have always been a feminist, and argumentative but, I don't think I am ferocious. Maybe people would have a different idea of me, I don't know. How do you look back on your career up to now? Yes, well, you know, I think I was brave. I have to say, as a young actress, I think I was courageous. I was. And keen to break down attitudes that I thought were old-fashioned, or retrograde, or just wrong, you know. So, I relished having roles. That is the great thing about drama, is that it can do that, without being lecturing because it is entertaining at the same time. It can really change people's attitudes about things.' Have you always been at ease with being in the spotlight? No, not at all. A lot of actors become actors because they are shy, in a way. They find being themselves quite difficult, so it is much easier to become someone else. I think that was the case with me, to a certain extent, certainly when I started.' Your next film is The Thursday Murder Club. What can you tell us about that? It's based on the extremely successful Thursday books. It's with a some beloved fellow British actors and it's a very British subject. I'm really excited about it. Do you still feel British - though you're a big Hollywood star, live in America and have an American husband? I do. I'm very proud to be British and it's funny because even in America I seem to be surrounded by Brits. It's full of them! The world has become so much smaller. You and your husband have been together for 40 years and married for more almost 30. What's your secret? I think it helps that we're both in the same business. We understand what we each go through and the demands on your time. But the main thing is trust. As long as you trust and respect each other, and are not jealous of each other, then it works. We came into the relationship already very grown-up, so all of that crap was out of the way. And it's not such a bad thing to be separated for two or three weeks from time to time. That's fine, as long as you trust each other and really look forward to seeing each other again. Finally, what are your plans for this next chapter of your life? I have no idea. You know, when I was 20, I didn't know what my twenties would be like. I didn't know what my thirties would be like... I still have no idea and that's the adventure. Life is an adventure. I don't plan anything. I don't expect anything. I will just allow life to come and hit me, the way it always has. READ MORE: Dermalogica's four-piece anti-ageing skincare bundle is now £31 for a limited time
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters
'Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters originally appeared on Parade. Brooke Shields just took the cool mom title to a whole new level. The iconic actress shared a glimpse of her deep bond with her daughters Rowan Francis Henchy and Grier Hammond Henchy, whom she shares with her husband, film director Christopher Thomas Henchy. On Instagram, the 60-year-old star uploaded a photo of herself and her daughters, showing off their matching new tattoos. Shields has one tattoo that says 'and to a party,' while another is a drawing of high heels, both of which her daughters now proudly match. Besides the unexpected mother-daughter bonding, she also penned a sweet message to them, expressing her joy and gratitude at sharing such a meaningful moment. 'Heard national tattoo day was last week… how lucky am I to have daughters who want to match with me permanently? Truly the luckiest mama,' she wrote. The post immediately caught the attention of her followers and fans, many of whom praised the sweet gesture. 'Your matching tattoos are so cute! You have gorgeous girls, Brooke,' one wrote. 'Love your tattoos,' another added. Another fan chimed in, noting 'nothing seems cooler' than a well-placed tattoo!' 'D*** girl, you did motherhood right. And after all you had to deal with… Bravo,' a follower said. A fifth social media user echoed the same sentiment and remarked, 'These are so sweet!' Meanwhile, a fan mentioned, 'That's pure Love.' The mother of two shares a close bond with her daughters. The Blue Lagoon star once revealed they're not shy about giving her honest fashion feedback. "They don't like me in Upper East Side lady clothes,' she told People in 2023, adding, 'They like me much edgier.''Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
