These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question-and-answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?
Alison Sweeney has been a fixture on our TV screens for over a decade, playing Samantha "Sami" Brady on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives." Not to mention she hosts "The Biggest Loser," is an author and a busy mom of two kids, Benjamin, 8, and Megan, 4.
But what does Sweeney like to do during her downtime? She revealed all to HuffPost Celebrity while taking our #nofilter challenge.
When's the last time you cried?
Yesterday on set at “Days Of Our Lives.” I was told to do so by the stage direction in my script.
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Getting a massage. I absolutely love it, having a massage is the best ever.
What's the silliest thing you've ever lied about?
When I go out for a date with my husband [David Sanov], we have to make it seem really unappealing so that our kids don’t want to come with us.
If you could commit a crime and get away with it, what would it be?
[laughs] Maybe because I’m in New York, I would want to sneak into the Metropolitan Museum at night and be by myself, like in the movie “Night at the Museum.” I’d love to be in there all night long and look at everything.
What's one thing you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of someone else?
When you’re an actor, your modesty and privacy are so skewed. But I don’t like to brush my teeth in front of other people.
What happens in your recurring dream?
I have a recurring dream about being late for work. I wake up almost every day when my alarm goes off and I'm immediately sweating, thinking that I’m late. And if I wake up without my alarm, I think I’m late, like I have nightmares about it.
What’s the working title of your autobiography?
Tom Bergeron stole it! “I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can.”
Is it okay to recline your seat on an airplane?
Of course it is! You should recline yours and then everyone will be reclined together. I’m more annoyed by the person next to me infringing on my space than the person in front of me.
When do you feel most anxious?
With my kids. I try not to let them see it. Like my daughter’s little recital was on Saturday and I have performance anxiety for them.
What or who is overrated right now?
Twerking … overrated.
Is a good friend hard to come by?
Yes and I’m very lucky to have a few good friends. Luckily, you don’t need many, you just need one or two.
Describe one time you thought "This is harder than it looks."
Doing the L.A. Marathon. I remember I was on mile 24 running down San Vicente towards the ocean and so I’m emotionally exhausted and physically exhausted and some guy yelled, “It’s all downhill from here!” And I was like, “What does that mean? What are you suggesting here, Sir?” I was like, “I still have to put one foot in front of the other, that does not help me!” ... I’m so so proud of myself for running a marathon. It’s something I’m not afraid to brag about.
Tell us a joke.
My jokes are all child-friendly, so, “Why is six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine.”
What are you most afraid of?
I don’t mean to sound existential, but I’m afraid of being afraid. I don’t like fear. I work very hard to overcome any obstacles or fears or hesitations that are thrown my way.
When do you feel most at peace?
With my kids. My husband and I do a lot of fun little things just to hang out with them and be friends with them. We play a lot of music in our house, we’ll have the radio on or my playlist on, and when we’re making dinner, sometimes this great song will come on, like Michael Jackson or something, and all of the sudden, everyone in the family starts dancing. We call it a dance break and we all stop what we’re doing and dance together and be silly. And I know that’s probably not everyone’s definition of peace, but for me, it’s my happy place.
What's the most unusual thing you have in your purse/wallet?
I have a Euro in my wallet that I keep with me as a reminder of a fun trip I took with my friends and my family to London and Paris this year. It was such a great trip, I had such an amazing experience. I almost use the Euro as a quarter all the time and it makes me remember my trip every time.
What technology do you hope will be invented in the next 10 years?
I would really love for them to figure out how to not drop cell phone calls. We’re all into the fancy technology and the cool games that we can all play, but I just want it to work. That would be great, if we could do that.
What sense would you most be afraid to lose?
My hearing. My mother is a musician, my brother is a musician, my in-law is a musician and both of my children will learn to play an instrument and music is an important part of my whole family, life and heritage. To not be able to hear would be devastating to me.
As a part of Alison Sweeney’s latest venture in healthy living, she has teamed up with California Almonds to create a series of videos with the “Life Squad” -- her team of experts on cooking, fitness and nutrition. This group of lifestyle gurus provides viewers with useful and creative "life hacks" on a variety of subjects. Check the series out here.
Alison Sweeney has been a fixture on our TV screens for over a decade, playing Samantha "Sami" Brady on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives." Not to mention she hosts "The Biggest Loser," is an author and a busy mom of two kids, Benjamin, 8, and Megan, 4.
But what does Sweeney like to do during her downtime? She revealed all to HuffPost Celebrity while taking our #nofilter challenge.
When's the last time you cried?
Yesterday on set at “Days Of Our Lives.” I was told to do so by the stage direction in my script.
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Getting a massage. I absolutely love it, having a massage is the best ever.
What's the silliest thing you've ever lied about?
When I go out for a date with my husband [David Sanov], we have to make it seem really unappealing so that our kids don’t want to come with us.
If you could commit a crime and get away with it, what would it be?
[laughs] Maybe because I’m in New York, I would want to sneak into the Metropolitan Museum at night and be by myself, like in the movie “Night at the Museum.” I’d love to be in there all night long and look at everything.
What's one thing you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of someone else?
When you’re an actor, your modesty and privacy are so skewed. But I don’t like to brush my teeth in front of other people.
What happens in your recurring dream?
I have a recurring dream about being late for work. I wake up almost every day when my alarm goes off and I'm immediately sweating, thinking that I’m late. And if I wake up without my alarm, I think I’m late, like I have nightmares about it.
What’s the working title of your autobiography?
Tom Bergeron stole it! “I’m Hosting As Fast As I Can.”
Is it okay to recline your seat on an airplane?
Of course it is! You should recline yours and then everyone will be reclined together. I’m more annoyed by the person next to me infringing on my space than the person in front of me.
When do you feel most anxious?
With my kids. I try not to let them see it. Like my daughter’s little recital was on Saturday and I have performance anxiety for them.
What or who is overrated right now?
Twerking … overrated.
Is a good friend hard to come by?
Yes and I’m very lucky to have a few good friends. Luckily, you don’t need many, you just need one or two.
Describe one time you thought "This is harder than it looks."
Doing the L.A. Marathon. I remember I was on mile 24 running down San Vicente towards the ocean and so I’m emotionally exhausted and physically exhausted and some guy yelled, “It’s all downhill from here!” And I was like, “What does that mean? What are you suggesting here, Sir?” I was like, “I still have to put one foot in front of the other, that does not help me!” ... I’m so so proud of myself for running a marathon. It’s something I’m not afraid to brag about.
Tell us a joke.
My jokes are all child-friendly, so, “Why is six afraid of seven? Because seven eight nine.”
What are you most afraid of?
I don’t mean to sound existential, but I’m afraid of being afraid. I don’t like fear. I work very hard to overcome any obstacles or fears or hesitations that are thrown my way.
When do you feel most at peace?
With my kids. My husband and I do a lot of fun little things just to hang out with them and be friends with them. We play a lot of music in our house, we’ll have the radio on or my playlist on, and when we’re making dinner, sometimes this great song will come on, like Michael Jackson or something, and all of the sudden, everyone in the family starts dancing. We call it a dance break and we all stop what we’re doing and dance together and be silly. And I know that’s probably not everyone’s definition of peace, but for me, it’s my happy place.
What's the most unusual thing you have in your purse/wallet?
I have a Euro in my wallet that I keep with me as a reminder of a fun trip I took with my friends and my family to London and Paris this year. It was such a great trip, I had such an amazing experience. I almost use the Euro as a quarter all the time and it makes me remember my trip every time.
What technology do you hope will be invented in the next 10 years?
I would really love for them to figure out how to not drop cell phone calls. We’re all into the fancy technology and the cool games that we can all play, but I just want it to work. That would be great, if we could do that.
What sense would you most be afraid to lose?
My hearing. My mother is a musician, my brother is a musician, my in-law is a musician and both of my children will learn to play an instrument and music is an important part of my whole family, life and heritage. To not be able to hear would be devastating to me.
As a part of Alison Sweeney’s latest venture in healthy living, she has teamed up with California Almonds to create a series of videos with the “Life Squad” -- her team of experts on cooking, fitness and nutrition. This group of lifestyle gurus provides viewers with useful and creative "life hacks" on a variety of subjects. Check the series out here.
