Latest news with #TheLiverKing
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First Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Netflix's Liver King: Who is Brian Johnson, the health influencer who promoted eating raw meat?
He became famous on social media for eating raw meat and performing bizarre feats of strength. American influencer Brian Johnson, also known as The Liver King, amassed a massive following and built a business empire worth millions of dollars. But it came tumbling down with a steroid scandal. He's now the subject of Netflix's new documentary — 'Untold: The Liver King' read more The Liver King, aka Brian Johnson, is the subject of Netflix's latest documentary, Untold: The Liver King, which explores the rise and fall of the fitness influencer who built an empire by eating raw organs and taking on intense fitness challenges, before being caught lying about his steroid use. Image Courtesy: Netflix Are you flummoxed on what to watch on television? For those looking to sink their teeth into something interesting, we have an excellent pick for you — Netflix's latest documentary, Untold: The Liver King, which premiered on May 13. The examines the rise and fall of American social media influencer Brian Johnson, widely known as the Liver King, who rose to fame for promoting an 'ancestral lifestyle' centred around consuming raw meat, particularly organ meats like liver, and adhering to nine 'ancestral tenets' emphasising practices like raw food consumption, exposure to cold and sun, and intense physical activity. And then crashed and burned in 2022 for being caught lying about his steroid use. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Untold: The Liver King premieres May 13. He built an online fitness empire by devouring raw meat and promoting an all-natural lifestyle. Now he, his family, and business partners unravel his rapid rise to fame and subsequent backlash once a steroid scandal came to light. — Netflix (@netflix) April 22, 2025 Here's what you need to know about the Liver King, his dethroning, and where he is now. Brian Johnson becomes the Liver King The Liver King is a moniker for Brian Johnson, a 48-year-old father of two who transformed himself into a social media sensation. Before his fame as a social media influencer, Johnson studied biochemistry and worked in the pharmaceutical and supplement sectors. A Texan, he began to find success on social media in early 2016 by promoting an all-natural diet comprised primarily of bone broth, uncooked eggs, and raw, unprocessed beef livers, testicles, tongues, and other organs. Video after video showed a muscled-ridden and sinewy Johnson performing bizarre feats of strength, such as dragging 4X4s, walking underwater with kettlebells, and bench-pressing his wife Liver Queen, all while bellowing the benefits of the diet he followed — which he termed as the 'ancestral diet'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the Netflix documentary, he states that his passion for his body came following the death of his father when he was a toddler. Moreover, he grew up idolising movies such as Rambo and Conan the Barbarian. What made his tale even more compelling on social media was that his sons Rad and Stryker suffered persistent poor health during their childhoods, and that switching to an organ-heavy diet had cured their ills. The rise and rise of Liver King Soon, with the help of his wife, Barbara (the Liver Queen), and his two sons – who began to share content as 'Liver Boy Rad' and 'Stryker the Barbarian' – the Liver King built a full-fledged digital empire and lifestyle brand based on the 'ancestral lifestyle.' He amassed millions of followers, appeared on podcasts hosted by Logan Paul and others wherein he promoted his 'ancestral lifestyle' and his Ancestral Supplements. The documentary reveals that this became a $100 million business. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brian Johnson, aka The Liver King, enjoyed a meteoric rise in the early 2020s by posting videos of himself performing bizarre feats of strength. Image Courtesy: Netflix The dramatic fall of Liver King But as is the case with many health influencers, many questioned whether Johnson's ripped body was the result of his ancestral diet and lifestyle and not steroids. Appearing shirtless in his videos, he would trash theories linking his muscular form to the use of steroids. He insisted that the nine tenets of the 'ancestral life' — sleep, eat, move, shield (avoid excessive exposure to WiFi and electromagnetic fields), connect, cold, sun, fight (embrace physical and mental challenges), and bond — were enough. Health experts also raised concerns about his diet, especially on the issue of consuming raw meat, stating that this practice would increase the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and digestive issues. But Johnson repeatedly denied using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. He told Mark Bell's Power Project podcast in 2022: 'I don't touch the stuff. I've never done the stuff. I'm not going to do the stuff.' However, his fame came crashing down on him in 2022 when an email and blood test leak was shared on the channel of fitness YouTuber 'More Plates More Dates'. It showed that the Liver King was secretly consuming $11,000 of steroids per month. Within three days, Johnson posted a YouTube video titled 'Liver King Confession… I Lied,' admitting that he had been injecting steroids and human growth hormone (HGH). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I never expected this exposure in the public eye, and it's been tricky as f**k to navigate,' he said, adding that he's 'as sorry as a man could be.' He promised to 'be better" moving forward. Soon after the apology, he retreated from social media. But that wasn't the end of it; he was slapped with a $25 million lawsuit, accusing him of fraud and deception. In March 2023, the case against Johnson was dropped; his reputation, however, was irreparably damaged. In the Netflix documentary, Johnson explained that he lied about his steroid use on social media because he believed he was still spreading the message of ancestral living. However, according to interviews in the documentary with Ben Johnson (CEO of a holding company for lifestyle brands) and John Hyland (CEO of a digital marketing company), both men told Netflix that Johnson had also lied to them about using steroids too. 'He told all of us, 'No.' It was very much like, 'No, steroids are not even a question.' So much so that we're creating parodies and content,' Hyland said in film. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It all came crashing down for the Liver King in 2022 when it was revealed that he was taking steroids. Image Courtesy: Netflix Liver King's life post-scandal Following the scandal, Johnson retreated from the public eye — his only posts on TikTok, X, and Instagram since mid-March are to promote the documentary. In the Netflix movie, he reveals that he has also stopped taking performance-enhancing drugs as well as tweaked his diet. No longer does he adhere to a strict carnivore diet and has begun eating fruits and vegetables again. 'Vegetables and testicles, I can have all of it,' he says in the movie, while roaming the garden on his ranch. 'I was so convinced, all the carnivore stuff, that's what you need to really kick ass in life. I'm convinced now that I was starving myself.' He adds, 'I guess I want the world to know I was wrong. I got all of it wrong… [An] extreme approach to anything probably ain't f**kin' working out.' However, he still lives by his ancestral tenets and also hopes to open 302 health retreats in the coming years. If you want the entire meaty story of The Liver King, we suggest you watch the Netflix documentary now. With inputs from agencies
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Uncharted With Ray Goggins, 25 Years of Location, Location, Location and A British Horror Story
Uncharted with Ray Goggins RTÉ One, 9.35pm Move over Bear Grylls, Ray Goggins is out to steal your crown as TV's top survival expert. Although now best known as a bestselling author and for his appearances on RTÉ's Ultimate Hell Week, Goggins spent 30 years as an Irish Special Forces Operator specialising in such tricky situations as hostage rescue and counter terrorism. His life is a lot less stressful these days, but he's about to call on his old skills during an exciting new series. Each edition sees him take a pair of famous folk into some of the planet's most treacherous environments, pushing them far outside their comfort zones during mentally and physically punishing adventures. During each edition, the duos form a close bond, finding the experience exhilarating and life-changing. In between experiencing adrenaline rushes, they talk about their lives, opening up emotionally. The first episode features a pair who, on paper at least, are a real odd couple – former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Laura McNamara, aka singer-songwriter Lyra. They're journeying with Goggins to the wild, untamed mountains of Drakensberg, South Africa, where they sleep in caves and make their way to the top of the mighty Tugela Falls. However, a death-defying vertical climb may prove too much for Varadkar, who is more accustomed to scaling political heights than sheer rock faces. Mark Moriarty: Cook Like a Chef RTÉ One, 8pm The culinary expert returns with a new series in which he demonstrates how to make three dishes per episode, using a small selection of simple ingredients that won't break the bank. How to Cook Well in Morocco RTÉ One, 8.30pm Marrakesh is so extraordinary, Rory O'Connell is spending two episodes there. The second of them begins with him enjoying breakfast at the Cafe de la Poste, which was founded when Morocco was still a French protectorate. Race Across the World BBC One, 9pm If the teams appear confused during the latest leg, it's probably because they have to pass through three countries, so barely have time to register where they are. They must travel from China to Nepal before reaching the next checkpoint in Varanasi in India, with almost 24 hours between the leading pair and the rest of the pack. 25 Years of Location, Location, Location Channel 4, 9pm The highlight of an evening dedicated to the property programme is this documentary in which Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer look at how their industry has changed since the show began, as well as a few memorable moments. 3:10 to Yuma Film4, 4.40pm Tension-filled western starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflin. A cash-strapped farmer agrees to guard a notorious criminal, little realising the villain's cohorts are planning to spring him from custody. Two of the UK's most prolific killers are once again under the microscope due to recently unearthed police recordings. Untold: The Liver King Netflix, streaming now By ritualistically horsing into raw meat on social media, The Liver King created an enterprise around supplements. And he supposedly had the muscles to show it. How did he get so enormous...? Speaking of ripped physiques: in the week following WrestleMania, last night saw WWE superstars seeking retribution against past opponents and beginning new rivalries. Even Cena isn't safe. Bad Thoughts Netflix, streaming now If you fancy Black Mirror vibes but with bloody slapstick humour, this collection of wildly disturbing stories pushes the boundaries of decency in ways only Tom Segura could conjure. Expect tales from a country music star who mines people's misery in exchange for spoiled prawns, a tortured barista, and lots of other delightful weirdness. Speaking of which, a new volume of Love, Death and Robots lands on Thursday. A Deadly American Marriage Netflix, streaming now The story of Jason Corbett and Molly Martens was always going to be made into a Netflix documentary. Corbett, a widower, got married in 2008 to Martens, his Tennessee au pair. They left Ireland to start over in North Carolina with his kids, Jack and Sarah. Their story took a dark turn in August 2015, when Molly and her dad, former FBI agent Thomas Martens, were in an altercation resulting in Jason's death. Molly later entered a no-contest plea, claiming self-defence, while Thomas was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 2023. After their 2024 prison release, uncertainty remained about certain facets. Directed by Jessica Burgess and Jenny Popplewell, this documentary includes exclusive interviews providing insight into the divergent perspectives of those involved, leaving some grappling with the question of: 'Who was the real victim?' And, given Jack and Sarah's unbelievably brave contributions, the answer to that would be: the kids. Octopus! Prime Video, streaming now Narrated by Phoebe Fleabag Waller-Bridge, this marvellous mash-up chronicles being killed by a lover, losing yourself in Mexico, spotting a unicorn, befriending a competitive quilter, exploring our connection with aliens, and extra Tracy Morgan. This is how all nature documentaries ought to be produced from now on. Rose International Dance Prize Marquee TV, streaming now For those unfamiliar with Marquee TV, it's your global streaming platform for the arts. This 60-minute film, narrated by Fiona Shaw (Bad Sisters, Harry Potter, plus too many more to mention), sees internationally acclaimed choreographers compete for dance's version of the Oscars. The Match Netflix, streaming now If you're watching season two of The Devil's Plan and wondering why there's always a Go master in the line-up, this cut-throat drama could give you some context. For something at the other end of the spectrum entirely, Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon and a rake load of other famous people star in Nonnas.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix adds stomach-churning documentary that I felt queasy just reading about
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix has added Untold: The Liver King, a documentary about American influencer Brian Johnson, AKA the Liver King. Brian built an online business empire by devouring raw meat — yes, we said it was stomach-churning! — and promoting the virtues of "ancestral living". Ancestral living is the theory that our ancestors thousands of years ago had the perfect balance of eating real foods, spending time in nature, and exercising, something most of us don't achieve in modern life. As well as extreme workouts, Brian followed a carnivorous diet including eating a lot of raw animal organs and, erm, testicles! As Brian puts it: "Why eat vegetables when you can eat testicles!" Brian had millions of followers on Instagram. However, then came accusations that he'd achieved his physique through steroids rather than diet and exercise. Netflix teases: "Featuring interviews with the man himself, his family and business partners, this documentary unravels the wild story of The Liver King's rapid rise to internet fame and the controversy and backlash once a steroid scandal came to light." In the trailer, Brian is asked if he misled his followers, but we don't see his answer. Brian also says about his rise to fame: "We have videos with hundreds of millions of views. That felt like a new level of invincibility. That kind of feeling is, huh… dangerous.' I have to say, I'm loving the way Brian is conducting his interview by a roaring fire while having his top off to display his muscles! Can't recall anyone previously doing this in a Netflix documentary! Director Joe Pearlman told Netflix: "When the Liver King burst onto my feed, I, like so many, was transfixed. I wanted to find out more; who he really was and what was really going on. The truth was even crazier than I could have possibly imagined." The Liver King only runs for 70 minutes, so if you want a relatively short and entertaining watch, this could be for you. It is probably also going to depend on whether you can watch someone devour raw meat! The Liver King is the second film released in the latest season of Untold, the sports documentary series. Earlier this month, Netflix released Untold: Shooting Guards, about an infamous NBA locker room gun incident of 2009. It looked at the notorious clash between the then-Washington Wizards superstar Gilbert Arenas and his teammate, Jarvaris Crittenton The Liver King was added globally to Netflix today [Tuesday, May 13]. Check out our best shows on Netflix guide for more series to enjoy.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why is Liver King influencer Brian Johnson controversial? Netflix's Untold explained
Influencer The Liver King, also known as Brian Johnson, is the subject of a new documentary on Netflix, which explores his stratospheric rise to fame on social media after promoting an "ancestral lifestyle". This consisted of him promoting the benefits eating of raw meat, particularly organs like liver, kidneys and testicles. He implied online that his impressive physique was a result of this extreme diet and extensive exercise only. The documentary explores how he was able to transfix viewers on social media but also the consequences of believing everything you see online, as well as the controversies Johnson faced. Johnson began his social media journey in 2016, steadily building a following as he promoted an ancestral lifestyle. He became known as The Liver King for his love, and promotion of, eating liver, and he went on to create a brand selling liver pills known as Ancestral Supplements. This proved incredibly popular and he successfully built a business empire. 250,000 people per month were said to be buying his supplements at one time. Johnson's fame rose exponentially in 2021, and he began to appear on podcasts with people like Logan Paul on a regular basis. His fans came to believe that Johnson's ancestral lifestyle was a healthy and natural way to achieve healthy living. However as interest began to grow in The Liver King so too did criticism of the lifestyle he was pushing online. The Liver King began courting controversy when medical professionals claiming that Johnson's physique had to be a result of taking steroids, and not by eating raw meat as he said online. Health experts also began to highlight how dangerous his extreme diet was, and how consuming raw meat regularly would increase the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and digestive issues. Despite increased questions about whether he took steroids, Johnson maintained in interviews that he never took any and that his physique was achieved simply through his ancestral living. However, things came to a head in November 2022 when leaked emails revealed that he was using steroids. It was confirmed that he was spending $11,000 (£8,000) per month on performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. His empire crumbled as a result of this, as it directly contradicted what he had been saying online. Johnson eventually admitted publicly that he took steroids, releasing a video on social media in which he said: "I misled you. I got caught up in the game, and I lied." This scandal created a huge amount of outrage from his fanbase, and some followers even went so far as to file a $25 million (£19 million) lawsuit accusing him of fraud and deception. Ultimately the case against Johnson was dropped, but his reputation was irreparably damaged. Despite this controversy, Johnson has been able to continue his social media career and he still shares videos on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. He has 1.21m fans on YouTube, 2.9m followers on Instagram, and 6.1m fans on TikTok. Johnson no longer only eats raw meat, he now eats fruit and vegetables that he grows himself. Untold: The Liver King premieres on Netflix on Tuesday, 13 May.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in May 2025
The post Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in May 2025 appeared first on Consequence. Netflix has unveiled its lineup of new TV shows and movies arriving on the streaming platform in May 2025. Among the highlights are the premieres of the new Tina Fey and Steve Carell comedy series, The Four Seasons, on May 1st and Conan O'Brien's 2025 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony on May 4th. Other notable titles include classics like American Graffiti and The Jerk; new episodes of Big Mouth and Tim Miller and David Fincher's Love, Death, and Robots; the Ocean's and Twilight franchises; and documentaries about NBA guard Gilbert Arenas, fitness influencer The Liver King, and disgraced NFL quarterback Brett Favre. See what other movies and shows are streaming on Netflix beginning in May 2025 below. TITLES COMING TO NETFLIX IN MARCH: *This list may not be comprehensive and is subject to change May 1 Ali Airport Airport 1975 Airport '77 American Gangster American Graffiti Angi: Fake Life, True Crime Burn After Reading Constantine Crazy, Stupid, Love. Dawn of the Dead Eat Pray Love Flushed Away Hanna Home Mid90s Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Thirteen Ocean's Twelve Past Lives Paul The Paper Tigers The Sugarland Express Sisters Starship Troopers The Biggest Fan The Cliche The Equalizer 2 The Four Seasons, Season 1 The Jerk The Lego Movie The Mule The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Walk Trainwreck Trolls Twilight Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Why I Dress Up for Love May 2 Bad Boy, Season 1 Peninsula Train to Busan Unseen, Season 2 May 4 Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor May 5 Britain and the Blitz Mighty Monsterwheelies, Season 2 May 6 The Devil's Plan, Season 2 UNTOLD: Shooting Guards May 7 Full Speed, Season 2 Last Bullet (Lost Bullet 3) May 8 Blood of Zeus, Season 3 Forever, Season 1 Heart Eyes The Haunted Apartment 'Miss K' May 9 A Deadly American Marriage Bad Influence Nonnas Too Hot to Handle: Italy, Season 1 The Royals, Season 1 May 11 ABBA: Against the Odds May 12 Tastefully Yours, Season 1 May 13 All American, Season 7 Bad Thoughts, Season 1 UNTOLD: The Liver King May 14 American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, Season 1 Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story Garbo: Where Did You Go? Married at First Sight, Season 17 Rhythm + Flow: Poland, Season 1 Smile Snakes and Ladders, Season 1 May 15 Bet, Season 1 Franklin, Season 1 Love, Death & Robots, Volume 4 Pernille, Season 5 Secrets We Keep Thank You, Next, Season 2 The Reserve Vini Jr. May 16 Dear Hongrang, Season 1 Football Parents, Season 1 Instant Family Rotten Legacy, Season 1 The Quilters Where Hope Grows May 17 Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping May 20 Sarah Silverman: Postmortem UNTOLD: The Fall of Favre May 21 Poor, Season 1 Real Men, Season 1 Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark, Season 1 The UnXplained with William Shatner, Season 6 May 22 She The People, Season 1 – Part 1 Sirens May 23 Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Big Mouth, Season 8 Fear Street: Prom Queen Forget You Not, Season 1 Off Track 2 May 24 Our Unwritten Soul, Season 1 The Wild Robot May 26 CoComelon, Season 13 Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life Pig May 27 Better Late Than Single, Season 1 May 28 F1: The Academy, Season 1 May 29 Dept. Q, Season 1 Mad Unicorn Losmen Bu Broto: The Series, Season 1 Single's Inferno: Choices May 30 A Widow's Game Lost in Starlight The Heart Knows May 31 Netflix TUDUM 2025 Popular Posts LAPD Releases Body Cam Footage of Shooting Involving Weezer Bassist's Wife Jillian Lauren Katy Perry Goes Viral for Cringe Choreography at "Lifetimes Tour" Kickoff Phish Snubbed by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Despite Winning Fan Vote Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2025 Class: The White Stripes, OutKast, Soundgarden & More Hans Zimmer Announces 2025 North American Tour Kneecap Respond to Sharon Osbourne, Tell Her to Listen to Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
