WATCH: ‘The Biggest Loser’ Trainer Gets Grilled On ‘The Project’ Over 78KG Contestant
‘The Biggest Loser’ trainer Shannan Ponton appeared on ‘The Project’ this evening to address the controversy surrounding the “smaller than usual” contestants on the current season, most specifically Nikki who weighs a mere 78kg.
And oh boy, was he in for a grilling. Waleed Aly kicked off proceedings, telling the trainer: “It’s a fair point that people are making. You’ve got someone that doesn’t weigh very much and they’re on a show like ‘The Biggest Loser’ – that can send a message.”
Shannan didn’t quite get the nuances of what Waleed was saying.
“It took me really by surprise, that people were coming out and saying that having Nikki on the show was inappropriate. Nikki weighs 78 kilos, her weight has had a massive adverse effect, not only on her life, but the life of her family,” said Shannan.
Later Steve Price interjected, “Sorry but you’re rewriting the definition of what is fat, though,” to which Shannan replied:
“I have absolutely no pre-set agenda on what is fat. For me being uncomfortable in how you feel is priority number one, and improving people’s health,” said the trainer.
Not really addressing the main concern, Waleed pushed the television trainer on the impact of including someone with a relatively low weight like Nikki, in a television program that traditionally targets obese people.
“To be clear, if someone is watching the show and they’re 78kg, you’re not trying to send a message to them, that they need to lose weight in the way Nikki is[losing weight]?” asked Waleed.
“Well no, but I’m just saying I’ve got Nikki in front of me and I want to help her. It’s probably their conscience more or less than anything, saying ‘I’ve got to lose a couple of kilos’,” the trainer replied.
Errr..okay. So essentially, critiques of the show are just in need of losing a few pounds? Maybe through the help of a PT? Coming from a reality TV trainer, that sounds about right.