Jenny McCarthy turned heads this holiday season after sharing a striking bikini photo for her annual holiday card with husband Donnie Wahlberg.
The Masked Singer judge, 53, embraced the festive spirit in a candy 
red two piece paired with a Santa hat, while Donnie showed off his sculpted physique in matching red swim trunks. The couple posted the glamorous snapshot on Instagram alongside a playful behind the scenes video that captured them transitioning from bundled up winter coats into their swimwear inside a warm studio.
While fans praised Jenny’s noticeably slim figure, the transformation was not intentional. Earlier this week, she revealed that her weight loss is the result of a serious and ongoing health ordeal.
“I’ve had nine surgeries this year all on my mouth,” McCarthy told People. What began as a failed ceramic dental implant spiraled into a cascade of complications, including recurring infections and severe jaw pain. At one point, doctors discovered a deep bone infection that required extensive treatment.
“My teeth were falling out, implants were falling out,” she explained. “They had to dig into my jawbone and chip away to find the infection. I’ve been on antibiotics for a year and had to eat soft foods only.”
The restricted diet, combined with repeated surgeries and recovery periods, led to significant weight loss. “I just couldn’t consume enough calories,” Jenny admitted.
Even after the holiday card photo was taken, her health challenges weren’t over. “I had two more mouth surgeries after that,” she shared. “I’ve been pretty unlucky.”
As if the jaw complications weren’t enough, Jenny also experienced mysterious growths appearing on her eyes, adding to the physical and emotional toll. “I’d be in massive pain with my jaw swelling up, and at the same time, these growths were popping up on my eyeballs,” she said. “People should actually feel a little sorry for me!”
Thankfully, she says she’s now finally on the mend. While the issue has been stubborn, Jenny revealed she’s currently able to chew again and feels she’s “past the storm,” just in time for the holidays.
While Jenny’s lean frame came from health struggles, Donnie’s ripped appearance had a very different cause. His muscular look is the result of months of intense physical activity during New Kids on the Block’s Las Vegas residency.
“The secret is we always shoot the holiday card right after Donnie gets off tour,” Jenny joked. “He’s been dancing on stage for three months straight, so he’s in incredible shape.”
She added with a laugh, “You have to catch that window before he turns back into that donut-loving cop on Boston Blue.”
Beyond the photo shoot, the couple is simply grateful to be together again after months apart. Jenny has been filming The Masked Singer in Los Angeles, while Donnie has been working in Canada on Boston Blue.
“It’s been tricky and difficult,” she said, “which is why Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean more to us than ever this year.”
Their holiday plans are refreshingly simple. “It’s just me and him at home in Chicago,” Jenny shared. “I’ll be cooking a bird, and we’ll just enjoy each other.”
After a year filled with health scares, distance, and demanding schedules, the moment feels especially meaningful a quiet celebration of resilience, recovery, and togetherness.