A new Netflix documentary is shedding light on “The Biggest Loser.” Former contestants and crew members are coming forward with disturbing claims about the reality show’s behind-the-scenes practices.
The series, “Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser,” dives into what many believed was just a dramatic transformation show.
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The dark side of weight-loss TV
From 2004 to 2016, millions tuned in every week to watch contestants compete for a cash prize by losing the most weight. While the show celebrated dramatic transformations, new accounts suggest those results came at a dangerous cost.
Even during the show’s heyday, there were whispers of exploitation. But the documentary revives those suspicions with fresh voices and shocking claims.
A 2016 study published by Obesity looked at 14 of the show’s contestants, and found that many regained their weight.
The winner of season 8 was featured in “Fit for TV,” where he mentioned he gained almost all 239 lbs back after the show ended.
Jillian Michaels addresses caffeine allegations
One contestant recalls being given a caffeine pill that allegedly caused her organs to shut down. That clip sparked backlash and questions about the trainers’ role.
Trainer Jillian Michaels quickly responded online, clarifying that caffeine was never officially banned on the show. She posted a screenshot of an email and wrote, “Dr. Huizenga did approve caffeine pills on many seasons of Biggest Loser.”
She also claimed that fellow trainer Bob Harper suggested using a brand of a fat-burning supplement called Stacker. Michaels preferred using her own product instead, which she said contained no more than 200mg of caffeine — roughly equal to a strong cup of coffee, or a shot of 5-Hour Energy.
Fallout between Michaels and Harper
Another tension point the documentary explores is the deteriorated friendship between co-hosts Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.
Harper alleged that Michaels never reached out to him after his 2017 heart attack. In response, Michaels posted a screenshot of a 2014 text in which she appeared frustrated by Harper’s lack of communication.
“I really think it’s sh—y of you to not even respond to my texts. It’s this kind of thing that always makes me so disappointed [in] our relationship,” the message read.
Michaels said that was her second-to-last message ever to him.
Addressing the calorie control rumors
In a separate post, Michaels denied a documentary claim that she told a contestant at the show’s finale, “You’re going to make me a millionaire.”
“This is false,” she wrote. “The full moment was captured on camera, and both the contestant and I were wearing microphones. If such a comment had been made, it would exist on the audio record.”
She also pushed back against allegations that she restricted calories for participants.
“I have an example of a direct written correspondence with a contestant,” she wrote, attaching a screenshot of an email where she instructed the person to consume 1,600 calories per day while home for the holidays.
She added that other emails shown in the documentary were part of routine communications between producers and medical staff, focused on keeping contestants adequately nourished.
Support from former contestant
Julie Hadden, a former contestant, commented publicly on Michaels’ post to show her support.
“I can attest to the fact that I was never starved, did not take weird drugs, was never treated unkind,” she wrote. “It has been 18 years and [Jillian] still checks in on me.”
Michaels responded, “I love you Jules. And I miss you.”
Michaels called into TMZ Tuesday and confirmed she was meeting with attorneys later in the day. While she didn’t say she plans to sue Netflix or the producers, she made it clear she’s weighing her legal options.
