‘The Biggest Loser’: America, meet the Season 11 contestants
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On Tuesday night, we’ll find out who will be crowned the Season 10 ‘Biggest Loser’: Will America choose Ada or Elizabeth for a spot in the final three? And will it matter? Or does this win belong to either Patrick or Frado? What do you think?
I think it will be many hours before that question is answered, so let’s take a look at your Season 11 contestants:
Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner can’t quite explain his weight gain. The wrestler was always on the large side, a celebrity in a sport that rewarded his powerful girth. But after he retired from competition he continued to eat like he was still spending hours in the gym. And then one day he caught a glimpse of himself on TV and could hardly believe it: At 6-foot-1, he weighed 474 pounds. ‘I kept denying it until I couldn’t deny it anymore,’ he said.
Gardner is one of the 22 competitors in the upcoming season, and easily the most famous player in ‘Biggest Loser’ history. He says his athletic background makes him an immediate contender for the $250,000 prize and the Season 11 title -- but it also puts a target on his back. Click here to see a photo gallery of the rest of the competitors, who will begin competing as couples. Among them: twin brothers and law enforcement officers who are almost impossible to tell apart, a health club general manager who is embarrassed to tell others what she does, and an opera singer who says that she’s tired of watching the singing parts go to more shapely rivals. (I wonder if we’ll get a ‘Biggest Loser’ aria.)
And what would you do if you were faced with the Season 11 twist? All the competitors will immediately be forced to make a choice that will decide their fate: They can stay at ‘The Biggest Loser’ Ranch and work out with Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels for one week, and then face possible elimination. Or, they can agree to depart immediately for a secret location where they will work out with two unnamed trainers for an entire month before returning to the ranch and facing elimination. It’s one week at the ranch versus one month of (almost) guaranteed weight loss. It’s the familiar -- Bob and Jillian -- versus gambling on the unknown. What would your choice be?
It’s all part of the transition -- Season 11 will see the departure of Jillian the Tyrant. What it all means for viewers: drama and dramatic reveals galore.
--Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch
