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.
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.