Reality Show The Biggest Loser Target of Doping Probe
This week, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that they have opened an inquiry into NBC reality series The Biggest Loser over possible illegal drug use on set.
“What we’re doing is an inquiry into what’s happening on The Biggest Loser,” a police spokesperson told the New York Post. “It’s an ‘inquiry,’ not a full-blown investigation.”
Authorities say the probe was spurred by an article published by the Post last month. According to former contestants interviewed by the paper, the show’s staff encouraged them to lose weight by vomiting and taking drugs. From Fox News:
Season 2 contestant Suzanne Mendonca said five people on her edition of the show were rushed to the hospital due to alleged abuse from show trainers and medical staff.
Joelle Gwynn, from the 2008 “Couples” version of “Loser,” said she was directed to take ephedra, a drug used to boost weight loss and energy that was banned by the FDA in 2004.
“People would take amphetamines, water pills, diuretics, and throw up in the bathroom,” Mendonca told the Post. “They would take their spin bikes into the steam room to work up a sweat. I vomited every single day. [Show trainer] Bob Harper tells people to throw up: ‘Good,’ he says. ‘You’ll lose more calories.’”
In separate statements to Variety, Harper and The Biggest Loser’s producers called the allegations “without merit and false.”
“The safety and well-being of our contestants is, and has always been, paramount,” wrote Harper. “Contestants are told at the start of the show that there is zero tolerance for any weight loss drugs. We prohibit the use of any illegal substances, in addition to the many other rules and procedures of the show that are designed to ensure safety.”
