NBC’s The Biggest Loser under fire after “anorexic” Rachel Fredrickson loses over half her body weight to be crowned the winner

The Biggest Loser has come under fire from viewers after "skeletal" Rachel Fredrickson was crowned the winner; celebrity trainers admit they are "not comfortable" commenting on her weight loss journey

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

After this season's final contestant on the popular weight loss show The Biggest Loser confidently strode onstage for her final weigh-in, she was met with halting applause from the audience and looks of shock from celebrity trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper.

Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper see Rache's transformation for the first time (NBC)
Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper see Rache's transformation for the first time (NBC)
Rachel Fredrickson stands alongside her former self (NBC)

Before Rachel Fredrickson's weight even flashed up on the screen, the whispering had begun in the live audience and on Twitter - because it seemed as if Rachel had taken her weight loss journey "too far".

It was soon revealed that the 24-year-old, formerly 260lbs (18.5 stone / 117.9 kg), now weighed in at 105lbs (47.6 kg / 7.5 stone).

She'd won by losing 60% of her body weight.

Twitter exploded with people expressing their concern over Rachel's new appearance, with some describing her as "skeletal", "waif-thin" and "anorexic".

Celebrity trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper, both of whom were captured on camera looking horrified at Rachel's appearance, have refused to comment on the appearance of the show's winner.

Bob wrote on Facebook: "Jillian and I want to take a moment to congratulate all of the BL contestants on their hard work.

"We're not comfortable commenting on Rachel's journey because we weren't her trainers and weren't given an opportunity to work with her at any point. Any questions about the contestants on ‘The Biggest Loser’ should be directed to the show's producers.”

Jillian posted a similar message on her own Facebook page, distancing herself from Rachel's weight loss journey:

Jillian Michaels refused to comment on Rachel's weight loss (Facebook)

At Fit & Feminist, blogger Caitlin has blamed the makers of The Biggest Loser for the show's result, claiming that the show is full of "glossy eating disorders":

"I try not to make judgments about health based on what someone's body looks like, so I'm not going to go there. But what I will say is that it is not surprising to see that this has finally happened.

"Fredericken took the game to its logical outcome. She played the game and she played it hard, and in doing so, she laid bare the show's messed-up, disordered premises for all the world to see."

Rachel Fredrickson on The Biggest Loser (NBC)

Rachel, when asked if she had a disorder, seemed genuinely shocked at the uproar she'd caused, replying:

"Oh gosh, I didn't even see that [referring to the rumours].

"I feel like my journey on The Biggest Loser was my path and I followed the advice and has the support of the medical team at The Biggest Loser the entire journey.

"So it's just been natural and I've enjoyed every part of it. So I'm going to continue on that path and maintain this healthy lifestyle and just really enjoy this new life."

Rachel Fredrickson on The Biggest Loser (NBC)

Frederickson's trainer, Dolvett Quince, has remained silent on social media in the face of the scandal surrounding the shocking weight loss.

Members of the press spoke with him backstage at the show's finale, however, where the trainer remained positive about the night's events.

"That's what the show's built on: transformation. At the end of the day, we make people who doubt themselves believe in themselves again, so the transformation first has to start with how they perceive themselves and that they even have the strength to even begin to lose weight.

"So the minute they start on the show, the transformation is cemented. We come to a day like today and you just see these amazing transformations in these people? It gives you hope that anything is possible."

Are you surprised that the training team at The Biggest Loser hasn't directly addressed Fredrickson's weight loss? Do you think shows like this push people too far? Join the debate in the Comments Box below now.

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