Biggest Loser star's career change after show as they fail to appear on Netflix doc

A fresh docuseries delves into the experiences of those involved in the popular reality TV show The Biggest Loser.

Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser, which is now available on Netflix from today (August 15), offers an insider's view of the hit competition that spanned 18 seasons from 2004 to 2016.

Despite a revival attempt in 2020, the three-part series includes interviews with the creators, producers, former contestants and trainers like Bob Harper who were instrumental in the show's creation.

However, one key figure associated with the show who does not appear in the series for an interview is Jillian Michaels.

So, who is she, what happened to her after the show, and what is she doing now? Here's everything you need to know.

Who is Jillian Michaels?

Jillian Michaels is a fitness guru and media personality who was one of the professional trainers featured in several seasons of The Biggest Loser. She appeared in the first two seasons before taking a hiatus and returning for the fourth season until its 11th , reports the Mirror.

She departed once more before making another return for seasons 14 and 15. After leaving the show permanently, she stated that there were fundamental differences between her and the producers.

Frequently perceived as being exceptionally harsh with participants, TV Insider reports she was dissatisfied with her portrayal on screen. She revealed to People magazine: "You saw none of the relationships, none of the bonds that I build with my clients. Millions of people have this warped negative perception of me."

Are Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper still close?

It appears that whatever friendship viewers witnessed between the two fitness experts has not endured since the programme ended.

In a 2020 chat with Us Weekly, Bob disclosed that the duo had not been in contact 'at all'. Bob actually tells documentary producers that when he experienced his cardiac episode, Jillian was the sole person who failed to reach out with well wishes.

What is Jillian Michaels up to now?

Following her departure from The Biggest Loser, Jillian created her own application called Jillian Michaels The Fitness App. The website states the app provides bespoke exercise routines and dietary plans designed by specialists alongside digital assistance. A yearly subscription costs approximately $150.

Jillian has also made a change in her career by establishing herself as a media figure with over half a million subscribers on her YouTube channel. This is where she presents her Keeping It Real Podcast.

According to its IMDB listing, the programme started in 2011 and "follows Jillian Michaels having in-depth interviews with the world's leading experts in all fields of wellness. From medicine, fitness, and nutrition to parenting, money, and relationships, the show is raw, authentic, and fact-based."

The fitness guru has sparked controversy with her political stance, revealing that she cast her vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser is streaming on Netflix.