After a Public DNA Scandal and Multiple Surgeries, This Celebrity Looks Nothing like She Used to – Photos

She built a name in fashion, crossed into television and music, and dated some of the biggest names in Hollywood. One of those high-profile relationships led to a widely publicized scandal, but she never gave up on love. Now, the mother of two is happily married.

Once known for her presence on runways and reality television, this celebrity is now drawing renewed attention for a different reason. Recent photos have left many online struggling to identify her, with some questioning whether she is the same person they once knew.

The change is the result of numerous cosmetic procedures over several decades. In addition to that, she was involved in a widely reported paternity dispute and later went through a serious medical diagnosis—both of which became defining chapters in her public life.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1955 and began modeling professionally in the 1970s. She later became known for calling herself the first supermodel, a title that stuck. She didn't blend in and never tried to. Her confidence, sharp opinions, and unpredictable style made her a standout on magazine covers, talk shows, and eventually on TV.

She took roles in shows like "Charmed" and "Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin," but she was probably most recognizable as a judge on "America's Next Top Model," where she brought both drama and honesty to the panel. As her professional life expanded, attention on her personal life did too.

She got married and ended up getting hurt by her husband. Following their split, she focused on her career and became a regular in Manhattan's nightlife. She started spending time at spots like Mary Lou's. At the time, she was surrounded by actors and musicians and dated several well-known figures, including Bruce Willis and Mick Jagger.

In the early 1990s, she began dating actor Sylvester Stallone. At the time, he was in a long-term relationship with model Jennifer Flavin. On February 23, 1994, she gave birth to a daughter, Savannah Rodin, and identified Stallone as the father. On March 11, Flavin received a six-page handwritten letter from Stallone ending their five-and-a-half-year relationship.

A few days later, her agent at Elite Model Management informed her that Stallone had been involved with another woman and that the affair had resulted in a child. Savannah was given Stallone's surname, and he and her mother became briefly engaged.

The news hit Flavin hard. She and Stallone had talked about starting a family of their own, even picking out names. Now, not only had their relationship ended abruptly, but she was also reading headlines linking Stallone to another woman and a newborn baby.

For a short time, Stallone accepted the claim. But just weeks after the baby was born, the results of a DNA test came back: Stallone wasn't the father.

In 2002, she revealed that she had been involved with three men in the week she conceived—Stallone, film producer Michael Birnbaum, and an unnamed artist. Though she acknowledged the uncertainty, she had genuinely believed the child was Stallone's.

Savannah would eventually meet her biological father at age 7. She's spoken about it publicly, describing the experience as surreal, but one that led to a meaningful connection. The paternity scandal may have faded from headlines, but it had left a lasting imprint on everyone involved.

It was during her relationship with Stallone that the model had her first cosmetic procedure. She started to notice subtle changes in her face, especially around the jawline. That was when she opted for a mini facelift. It wasn't a big procedure, but it marked the beginning of what would become a long history with plastic surgery.

"I was 32," she recalled. Over the years, she added more. Botox became routine. So did breast implants, a tummy tuck, a forehead lift, and dental work. She's never been shy about it. In fact, she even published a book titled "Everything About Me is Fake… And I'm Perfect," where she laid it all out in detail.

She believed in being upfront about what she'd had done, especially in a world where, as she put it, younger stars were having similar procedures but pretending otherwise. She saw that kind of denial as misleading. To her, there was no shame in getting work done, especially in an industry built on appearance.

After becoming a mother, she had more procedures, including a second tummy tuck. She even discussed her surgeries on TV. During one appearance, she openly listed all the work she'd had done while promoting her book, leaving even seasoned interviewers momentarily stunned.

Her transparency about cosmetic work became part of her public persona. Still, not every surgery went as planned. And a few years later, she would be dealing with complications that were far more serious than wrinkles or sagging skin.

In 2014, she appeared on the reality show "Botched" to address complications from a previous breast augmentation. The episode focused on her request for a revision after living with the same implants for 30 years. She later revealed the results were far from what she had expected.

Not only was she unhappy with the outcome, but she also claimed that she was left in severe pain and needed her breasts redone multiple times, up to five additional surgeries after the show. She didn't hold back in sharing how difficult the recovery had been, or how frustrated she felt with the care she received.

But greater challenges were still to come. In March 2016, during a routine visit for minor stomach issues, her doctor discovered something unexpected. Although she had always carried herself with confidence, this news struck a different chord.

During the appointment, the doctor conducted a full physical exam and found a small lump in her right breast, which was painful to the touch. She was scheduled to undergo further testing, and three days later, she returned to the hospital for a mammogram and biopsy.

While out shopping with her then-22-year-old daughter, Savannah, she received a call from her then-fiancé, Dr. Robert Gerner, saying the doctor had been trying to reach her. That day, she was informed that she had early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a common form of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts.

"I just was really glad that my daughter Savannah, she likes to be called Savi, I was really glad Savi was with me at that moment because it was kind of an out-of-body experience," she said. In the early days, she struggled privately with the news.

At home, she broke down in Gerner's arms. He later said she wept out of fear and only allowed herself to be vulnerable once she felt safe. When it came time to tell her son, Nathan Fields, she hesitated. But within the hour, she picked up the phone and gave him the news. He later told her, "I haven't cried in 20 years."

According to Gerner, the model and actress wanted to protect her children but chose to be honest. Fortunately, the cancer had been caught early. She didn't need chemotherapy and was able to keep her implants, though she was left with some scarring.

By July 2016, she had completed radiation treatment. Although not declared cancer-free, she focused on recovery and advocacy. "This battle isn't behind me," she said, "but I will be like a phoenix walking through the ashes." She began visiting cancer units at UCLA to bring laughter to patients and later spoke publicly about the importance of early detection.

The model is none other than Janice Dickinson, and she married Dr. Gerner later that year. They had met about four years earlier and had been together since. Gerner, a retired psychopharmacologist and neuropsychiatrist, had also worked as a professor at UCLA.

Dickinson has since shifted focus toward music. She co-wrote seven songs and recorded another seven written by her choreographer and record producer. She performed live at events including Pride and Hamburger Mary's in Long Beach and West Hollywood.

"I love the music bit. I seriously love it," she said, reflecting on her performances. She also confirmed she was working on a new album with country-western influences. Alongside her music, Dickinson has continued to write. After publishing three previous books, she revealed in 2024 that she was working on a fourth.

She described it as a story that would begin in the Badlands of Los Angeles and include song lyrics at the start of each chapter. While she had not revealed a title, she shared a sample of the lyrical writing during an interview and said the chapters would follow a musical structure.

At 70, Dickinson has maintained a strong public presence and is also active on social media. During an April 2025 vacation in Cabo San Lucas, she shared a clip expressing her love for her fans and followers. The post quickly drew a wave of responses, many focused on her appearance.

One user commented, "What has happened to her?" Another wrote, "Didn't even look like her!" Others asked, "Is that really Janice?" and "Who's this?" Not all the comments were critical.

Some fans praised her energy and presence, writing, "Looking fabulous and I'm so happy you are enjoying yourself," and "Janice Dickinson, you will always remain the most beautiful model that ever was."

With a history that includes multiple cosmetic surgeries, a high-profile appearance on "Botched," and breast cancer treatment, her appearance has changed over time.