a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jillian Michaels slams ‘Biggest Loser' Netflix docuseries: ‘Some folks still lie like it's 1985'
Their loss.
On Tuesday, former 'Biggest Loser' celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels took to social media to break her silence on the Netflix docuseries, 'Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser,' now streaming.
In an Instagram post, Michaels, 51, blasted claims made in 'Fit For TV,' and posted several photos of emails and texts that she claimed backed up her allegations.
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'Dr. Huizenga did approve caffeine pills on many seasons of Biggest Loser,' Michaels posted, referring to the show's medical advisor, Dr. Robert 'H' Huizenga.
8 Jillian Michaels at the 10X Ladies Conference at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa on August 16, 2025 in Aventura, Florida.
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8 Jillian Michaels with Mike Morelli in 'The Biggest Loser' Season 7.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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She was referring to how the docuseries covers her controversial choice to give caffeine supplements to her contestants.
In 'Fit For TV,' series physician Dr. Huizenga alleged that caffeine was banned. He also said that Michaels 'never really showed any interest in my advice.'
In her Instagram post, Michaels claimed, 'Bob Harper not only knew about the caffeine pills the 'stackers fat burner' were actually his suggestion. I wanted to use my brand instead because they were cleaner and had no more than 200mg of caffeine (equivalent to a strong cup of coffee).'
8 Alexanndrea Ishcomer, Jessica Delfs, Jillian Michaels on 'The Biggest Loser' Season 10.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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The celebrity trainer alleged that caffeine was 'NEVER banned' on 'The Biggest Loser.'
The Post reached out to Harper, Michaels, and Netflix for comment.
'The Biggest Loser' ran for 17 seasons on NBC from 2004 to 2016, before moving to USA Network in 2020 for a short-lived run.
8 Moses Kinikini and Jillian Michaels on 'The Biggest Loser' Season 11.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
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The show featured overweight contestants competing for a cash prize of $250,000 if they lost the highest percentage of weight, compared to their starting weight.
In the years since the show ended, many former contestants have blasted the series. In 2015, former contestant Kai Hibbard told The Post, 'The whole f—king show is a fat-shaming disaster that I'm embarrassed to have participated in.'
She recalled an incident when contestants were put in stalls like horses and made to run around a track.
'I walked. They edited it to look like I was lazy, but I wasn't participating because it was humiliating.'
8 Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels at the Men's Fitness Magazine Cover Celebration at Santa Maria Novella on February 21, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
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Hibbard said it gave her health problems that stuck with her. 'My thyroid, which I never had problems with, is now crap,' adding, she felt 'brainwashed to believe that you're super-lucky to be [on the show].'
In a 2024 interview with People, inaugural winner Ryan Benson alleged that producers would organize unhealthy food platters to 'catch' and embarrass the cast on camera.
'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' star Caroline Rhea was the original host before 'Days of Our Lives' actress Alison Sweeney took over.
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8 Former 'The Biggest Loser' contestants in 'Fit For TV.'
Harper, 60, and Michaels worked together as trainers on 'The Biggest Loser' for 12 seasons between 2004 and 2013.
Michaels left the show after Season 15 aired in 2014, while Harper stayed as a trainer and then became the host for the last two seasons.
In 'Fit for TV,' Harper also claimed that Michaels never reached out to him following his 2017 heart attack.
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'After I had my heart attack, she's the one person I never heard from. That, to me, spoke volumes,' he said in the doc.
8 Bob Harper in 'Fit For TV.'
8 Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels on 'The Biggest Loser' Season 6.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
In her Instagram post, Michaels also slammed that allegation, adding, 'Wild how some folks still lie like it's 1985 before texts and email were a thing.'
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Referring to the photos she posted, she explained, 'And, the last image is my second to last text ever to Bob Harper. Take from it what you will.'
Her alleged text message to Harper read, 'I really think it's sh–ty of you to not even respond to my texts. It's this kind of thing that always makes me so disappointed [in] our relationship.'
In an interview with TMZ, published Tuesday, Michaels said she was meeting with lawyer Bryan Freedman to plot her next move, implying that she's considering legal action against Netflix, Harper, and Dr. Huizenga.
Freedman is best known for representing Justin Baldoni in his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively.
