When the winner of America’s The Biggest Loser stepped out onto the stage this week, the reaction from the audience – and the internet – wasn’t the usual polite applause and surprised excitement.
It was total and utter shock.
The contestant, 24-year-old Rachel Frederickson, who used to weigh 260lbs (117kg) – now weighed just 105lbs (47kg). She had lost 60% of her body weight since first entering the competition.
She didn’t look fit, or healthy, or strong – she looked skeletal.
The majority of Rachel’s weightless occurred in the 14 weeks it took to film the earlier episodes of the show. But when she left the confines of the Biggest Loser compound, Rachel didn’t so much maintain her weight, as keep dropping. Steadily.
If the reaction from the judges was anything to go by, Rachel’s body significantly changed in the time between her leaving the show and coming back for the ‘big reveal’ episode.
When Rachel stepped out on the stage, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels looked surprised. Jillian halts in her clapping and mouths the words ‘oh my god’, while Bob looks uncomfortable.
Rachel Frederickson says of her win, “I came here to gain back my life, and I did exactly that. I’ve found that proud, confident girl that has so much respect for herself.”
However, viewers of the show did not seem to see a proud, confident girl on that stage. Instead, they saw a girl who looked gaunt after dramatic weight loss. The reaction on Twitter was immediate, with viewers of the show tweeting their shock, anger and concern.
The Biggest Loser owes David $250,000. And they owe Rachel a trip to an eating disorder rehab centre. #BLFinale
— Lina Nicastro (@linattz) February 5, 2014
I don’t think I’ve ever been this uncomfortable watching the finale. Rachel just looks so sickly. She shouldn’t be able to win. #BLfinale
— Bobby (@Elbobbo87) February 5, 2014
I think it’s kinda sad how young girls and teens are watching this as an example. NBC should probably know better. #BLFinale
— Kristen Creager (@kristencreag) February 5, 2014
The Biggest Loser winner is the very picture of anorexia, an affliction whose lifeblood is attention. Nice job, NBC. http://t.co/ZTAEIogh9r
— Jacob Ward (@_jacobward_) February 5, 2014
Watching #BiggestLoser and in speechless…this is not right, why Rachel?!? You looked so luminous and healthy when you left the ranch…
— MacKenzie (@TIU_MacKenzie) February 5, 2014
The Biggest Loser is a huge reality television hit, with local versions that screen all over the world. Many fans say that they find the show motivating and genuinely useful when it comes to tips for maintaining a healthy diet and motivating themselves to exercise.
The contestants do lose a dramatic amount of weight, but it is generally done in a highly controlled environment with expert doctors and nutritionists on hand. Rachel’s dramatic and seemingly dangerous weightless has immediately raised questions of whether or not the support for contestants when they leave the show, is sufficient.
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Top Comments
Of course she's going to look "gaunt" in comparison. I think she looks great. If she feels good, and is healthy, good on her.
I'm sorry, but 47kg on that frame is just TOO thin. She's gone from one extreme to the other. There is no happy balance there at all. Hopefully she'll find that balance soon.