Scandals and controversies of the biggest loser over the years

The biggest loser It became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 2004 – but the show was also plagued by scandals and controversy.

When NBC introduced the show, It follows a group of people Those considered overweight will compete for 30 weeks. The goal is to lighten as much pound as possible to crown as the “biggest loser” but rebound.

Some viewers questioned how the alleged effort to encourage contestants to lose weight through intense exercise and a calorie-limited diet. Producer and Trainer – Trainers working on the show denied the allegations, which were explored in Netflix’s August 2025 documentary Suitable for TV: The reality of the biggest loser.

“I’m going to stand on everything I do in that show,” said trainer Bob Harper. “I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

Not everyone who participated in the show was all-around. Jillian Michaels Despite the Trainer’s absence is issued Finally, read: “Jillian Michaels refuses to participate in this documentary.”

Continue to roll to break down related to scandals and controversies The biggest loser:

Weight loss goals

Each season starts with a weighing to determine the starting point for each contestant. From there, participants will participate in a comprehensive exercise and nutrition program. A challenge was also introduced to motivate weight loss before another weighing.

The biggest concern at the time came from medical professionals who talked about the extent of safe weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week. At the same time the doctor Robert Huizenga He was involved in the show, and he revealed in Netflix’s Tell-All that his insights were not always implemented, as contestants lost more than 10 pounds per week, sometimes as much as 20 to 30 pounds.

Disclaimer was issued at the end Every plot of the show.

“Our contestants are supervised by doctors when attending the show, and their diet and exercise programs are tailored to their medical conditions and specific needs,” the statement said. “Please consult your doctor before doing any diet or exercise program.”

Go too far

back The biggest loser Soaring to success, Several former contestants spoke out loudly About the length of their weight loss. Ryan C. Benson Recalling fasting and dehydration Kai Hibbard Tell The New York Times She and other contestants won’t drink water and will find ways to lose weight further.

Danny Cahill, Joelle Gwynn, Dr. Jen Kerns, Suzanne Mendonca, Olivia Ward, Tracey Yukich and Hannah Young Interviews with “Fit for TV” and most of them expressed their problems during the show. (Clips from various seasons show contestants suffering from medical emergencies and experiencing health fears while filming the show.)

Many former contestants and winners revealed that they worked hard to maintain weight loss for a long time after appearing The biggest losersome people are more likely to weigh after the show than before.

Coffee Door

During the 2013 show, Michaels was charged with cheating, allowing her team to take caffeine pills without the permission of the doctor. “I stick to my own opinion,” she said at the time. “Caffeine supplements are healthier than unlimited amounts of coffee.”

The show publicly admitted that caffeine drugs were used to violate its own rules, and Michaels was condemned on screen.

When Michaels insisted on the performance decision, she recently reflected on what she thought she should do differently. She told Health Today in 2021 The biggest loser “Need a mental health professional” to better help contestants.

“I think they can talk to it if they need to, but these people need deep work,” she explained. “When you have someone who weighs 400 pounds, it’s not just a person who loves pizza. There’s a lot of emotional things to do.”

Michaels made it clear that she would not take back how she was on the show.

“I’m yelling at people who avoid it,” she said. “You need them to feel the pain of their lives.

Michaels concluded: “The diet works great. You eat less, you move more, you go. The contestants are unsuccessful when they go home, and they are not addressed in terms of food.”

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Rachel Frederickson’s transformation

Season 15, which aired in 2013, was notorious for its finale, in which the winner Frederickson walked out and the coach was surprised by her weight loss. Frederickson made 105 pounds in the finale after entering the 260-pound game, but regained 20 pounds amid public attention.

“My self-esteem is once again influenced by the voices of others – this time, the kind that always exists in Facebook posts or on magazine pages,” she wrote in a 2014 article.

Formal investigation

New York Post A exposé was published in 2016 with quotes from Gwynn and Mendonca, introducing the challenges of the show and consequences. The report notes that California authorities are investigating the allegations The biggest loser Always attracting contestants.

NBC dismissed the allegations at the time and did not have a formal investigation. “No one is involved in the show’s criminal charges, the illegal substance claimed in the New York Post,” the Netflix documentary noted.

“Fit for TV” documentary

In August 2025, Netflix documentary conducted an interview with former contestants and hosts Alison Sweeney and the producers about what happened behind the scenes. Some participants revealed that they have continued to struggle with diet and mental health issues since their time The biggest loser.

There are also updates Whether the contestant has obtained it They lost weight on the show. Gwynn and Mendonca talked specifically about their decision to use Ozempic to help lose weight and curb hunger.