Jillian Michaels noticeably didn’t participate in Match for TV: The Actuality of The Largest Loser, a Netflix docuseries that pulled again the curtain on what went down on the load loss present that aired from 2004 to 2020. Michaels served as a coach on the collection for 12 seasons and located herself embroiled in controversy when she was accused of illegally giving her purchasers caffeine capsules throughout their weight reduction journeys.
The backlash the present acquired for this controversy and extra was explored within the three-episode doc, and 4 days after its launch, Michaels hit again. She advised TMZ that she’s assembly with lawyer Bryan Freedman to discover her choices for the best way to retaliate. That might imply formally lawyering up and taking her complaints in opposition to Netflix, the docuseries producer, fellow coach Bob Harper, and Dr. Robert Huizenga, who served because the medical advisor on the present, to courtroom.
All through the day on Tuesday, August 19, Michaels posted screenshots of outdated textual content messages and emails that she says absolve her from any blame. Her first publish featured an e mail from a coordinating producer on The Largest Loser. The message was despatched to Michaels, Harper, producers for The Largest Loser, and Sandy Krum, who Michaels known as “Dr. Huizenga’s man who stayed on set with us and distributed the fats burners.”
The e-mail learn, “We simply acquired the books and will likely be giving them out right now. Sandy has the electromix and bi-carb. Do you continue to need Stacker 2 or 3? I’ll have it for them very first thing within the morning.” The message gave the impression to be referencing power dietary supplements that have been going to be given to contestants.
She additionally posted her response to the e-mail chain, which stated, “Honey are you able to go to GNC and [buy] my fats burner excessive as an alternative.” Michaels insisted that these messages show that Dr Huizenga “did approve caffeine capsules” on the present and that Harper additionally knew in regards to the caffeine capsules (each Huizenga and Harper have been speaking heads in Match for TV). She claimed that Harper was the one who urged “stackers fats burner,” whereas Michaels stated she needed to make use of her personal model “as a result of they have been cleaner and had not more than 200 mg of caffeine (equal to a robust cup of espresso).”
Michaels additionally stood by what she’s at all times claimed: that caffeine was “by no means banned” on the present. To shut out the publish, she shared her “second to final textual content ever to Bob Harper,” which was written in June 2014 and stated, “I actually assume it’s s**tty of you to not even reply to my texts. It’s this sort of factor that at all times makes me so disenchanted [in] our relationship.” This gave the impression to be Michaels hitting again at Harper for his current dig about her not reaching out when he had a coronary heart assault in 2017.
In a second Instagram publish, Michaels responded to an allegation within the documentary that she advised a Largest Loser contestant, “You’re going to make me a millionaire.” She insisted, “I need to state unequivocally that that is false. The total second was captured on digital camera, and each the contestant and I have been carrying microphones. If such a remark had been made, it could exist on the audio document.” She additionally shared screenshots of textual content messages with two of the present’s government producers “confirming that this change by no means occurred.”
Her third publish responded to the claims that she “restricted contestants from consuming sufficient energy.” She offered an e mail correspondence with a contestant who was house for the vacations throughout filming. “I explicitly instructed her to devour 1,600 energy per day,” Michaels identified. “Moreover, the 2 different emails posted listed here are commonplace communications with the present’s producers and medical workers, emphasizing the continued precedence of making certain contestants have been adequately nourished and the necessity to present a gradual provide of recent meals within the BL home to ensure prepared entry to energy.”
Lastly, Michaels addressed the controversy surrounding Rachel Frederickson, who gained Season 15 of The Largest Loser, which was Michael’s final time on the present. Frederickson’s excessive weight reduction shocked viewers, and Michaels stated, “Not solely did I by no means as soon as get the chance to personally work with Rachel Frederickson in any capability — I raised critical issues each publicly and to NBC straight about contestant well being and the situation of Rachel specifically at BL’s Season 15 finale. In response, I acquired a direct e mail from Paul Telegdy, then-Chairman of NBC Leisure. In that e mail, he made clear that if I didn’t publicly condone the looks of contestant Rachel Frederickson on the present’s finale, NBC would pursue authorized motion in opposition to me. I resigned from The Largest Loser shortly thereafter.”
As soon as once more, Michaels offered the receipts by sharing Telegdy’s full e mail to her, which will be seen above.
Match for TV: The Actuality of the Largest Loser, Streaming Now, Netflix