Biggest Loser Controversy: Kai Hibbard Speaks Out

Posted on Jun 23rd 2010 2:00PM by Emily Shetler

Filed Under: Celebs & Entertainment, Biggest Loser

NBC

Kai Hibbard is not going quietly into the night. The "Biggest Loser" Season 3 contestant came forward to warn fans that the producers of the hit TV show promote unhealthy weight loss practices, including intentional dehydration, manipulated filming schedules and intense psychological pressure. She has blogged about it, talked to Star magazine and appeared on CBS's "The Early Show," revealing that she came away from her stint on the ranch 118 pounds lighter, but wrestling with severe hair loss, an eating disorder and a distorted body image. That's Fit talked to her about the controversy.

"The only thing making it a controversy is that 'The Biggest Loser' says I can't talk about it," said Hibbard. "If they weren't doing things that they think are wrong, why bar me from talking? But I'm not angry at the show. I'm angry at myself, that I didn't think that I was worth more than being treated that way. Dehydrate every week to weigh in, eat less than 1,200 calories, take in no electrolytes? No, no, no! I'm worth more than that."

But it's not just Hibbard who has been voicing concerns about the weight loss methods used in "The Biggest Loser." Ryan Benson, the winner of Season One, said that he dehydrated himself so severely he was urinating blood. Jillian Michaels, the trainer who has become the face of "The Biggest Loser," voiced concerns similar to Hibbard. In an interview with Star magazine, Michaels said, "Oh absolutely! There is a lot of game playing that goes on. 'The Biggest Loser' is a game show. It is what it is."

Hibbard still looks fabulous in her finale cocktail dress, three years and one baby later. But her thinner outside belies her internal struggle. "Internally, I'm very sick from it, even if on the outside, I look better," she said. "I can't prove that I was healthier at over 200 pounds. But my gut tells me I was a lot healthier before, whether I looked it or not."

So why come forward now, three years later? "I have a responsibility to tell the truth. I wasn't losing 12 pounds a week. When someone who's watching the show is losing a pound or two a week, she should know that she's doing an amazing job."

We contacted NBC for a reaction to Hibbard's allegations, and they issued the following statement: "Contestants on 'The Biggest Loser' are closely monitored and medically supervised. The consistent health transformations of over 200 contestants through nine seasons of the program speak for themselves."

Hibbard said that she would be happy to be quiet if she knew that "The Biggest Loser" now treated their contestants fairly and portrayed the results in a truthful way. "I would shut up and go away if I knew for a fact that they are now treating contestants well, both in terms of mental health and physical health, and they were doing on that ranch what they are telling the American public they are doing."

Read more of our coverage of "The Biggest Loser."

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Tags: biggest loser, biggest-loser, controversy, dehydration, Jillian michaels, Kai Hibbard, NBC, The Biggest Loser, weight-loss

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bryantp 6-24-2010 @ 12:07AM

The Biggest Loser a contest? People are trying to win? OMG - what a surprise! C'mon Ms. Hibbard - no one forced you on the show or to dehydrate. There's no question you're healthier physically now - you should be grateful, in part, to the show for that. As far as your mental health, I'll leave that to the professionals. The show is inspiring - not because I feel like I can lose weight as quickly as the contestants but because it shows that I can. In the 3 years or so I've followed the show, I've lost about 35 pounds and I'm still losing. I'm not as large as the contestants but I identify with their challenges and pain. I like the show.

Victoria 6-29-2010 @ 2:44PM

Come on, let's be real! If there was really a problem with the show, don't you think more people would be voicing their worries? I watch faithfully and see people very happy with their results, I also see those people overcoming obsticles they never new they had or never had the guts to face. Grow up and quit complaining no one likes a whiner! And props to Jillian and Bob for being so tough and loving what they are doing and the people they are doing it with.

Amber K 6-24-2010 @ 12:41AM

She is grateful, but wants everyone to know the TRUTH about what goes on there. Jillian has spoke out about it too, and you don't see anyone mad at her for it.

I wish they would just be more up front about it all.

I lost my 90+ pounds in a slow and healthy manner and I wouldn't want anyone getting down on themselves for not losing weight like they do on the show.

Angela 6-24-2010 @ 12:46AM

I can no longer watch The Biggest Loser because eat healthy and work out and only loose 1 or 2 lbs which is great but then I watch the show and see them loose 5+ lbs and I feel like a failure. I wish it was more realistic. I am glad that she is speaking out about the truth so people don't actually try for those numbers.

Actually I don't even like Jillian's new show. They are all loosing an unrealistic amount of weight. I think week 2 she lost 35 lbs in 6 weeks. Though of course they are getting $50,000 to meet their goal so of course they do whatever they have to.

april 6-24-2010 @ 10:04AM

Get over it Hibbard ! Its a contest, you new you were competing for the money, give me a break! Don't use the show to make excuses for your weight gain. They say daily on the show its about making a life altering change...you cant go home and continue to eat your twinklies!

marla 6-27-2010 @ 5:50PM

I am sorry but it should be no surprise to any one. Loosing that much weight in that short of time is dangerous. I mean if you don't know this then you have your head stuck in the sand. Now she tells everyone how dangerous it is.
I'm sorry but I like the show bu I would do it. Loosing weight slowly is the only way to go as far as I am conmcerned.
These people have A LOT of weight to loose and they figure that this is the only way. I mean we are not talking 20 or 40 pounds here. We are talking over 100 plus pounds to loose.

barb 6-27-2010 @ 8:40PM

I stopped watching that show a couple of seasons ago. I got tired of the yelling and abusive behaviors I was seeing. I don't like to fight and I don't like to watch people yelling at each other on TV either. Also, loosing that much weight that fast is not healthy.

Sarah 6-27-2010 @ 9:16PM

wow! I had no idea what they were doing! I am not surprised though. Even though they are being 'monitored' it is not healthy to lose the amount of week those people do in a week.

Jacki 6-27-2010 @ 10:37PM

Kia you choose to particpate in the event called the biggest loser and you and heba were game players - nobody is listening

ptcakes 6-28-2010 @ 6:21AM

Why am I not surprised? This is Hollywood after all. But it is so scary that our youth (and our adults) are being bombarded with these messages.

misspeak 6-28-2010 @ 11:39AM

No duh. No one loses 10 pounds a week through rational diet and exercise.

Darius 7-16-2010 @ 12:31PM

WHY HIBBARD IS BEING DISINGENUOUS RE DEHYDRATION:
A contestant who never dehydrates has the same rate of loss as someone who dehydrates for every weigh-in, except the first weigh-in, where the water loss gives an advantage. After all, once you weighed in dehydrated, you must dehydrate for the next weigh-in for it to accurately portray your weight loss. From that point on, you're on an even footing with the other contestants. Other than that, hydration or dehydration can only be effectively leveraged when you have immunity. So if she tried dehydrating once, she locked herself into a position where she had to keep on dehydrating to stay competitive. i.e. she didn't think it through or do the simple math. And who's fault is that?