Friday, February 7, 2014

THE BIGGEST SORE LOSERS

I took some time off from saving celebrities with my words of wisdom. But I'm back and this time I am writing to two of my favorite celebs who are actually famous for doing something that puts good in the world and changes lives. Rarely can I use the word admire and celebrity in the same sentence but with these two, I can and do often. They have created a healthy revolution, making exercise cool and leaving all of us viewers longing for a last chance workout. Yes, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, I'm talking to you. You champion the underdog, relate to those who have struggled in life feeling less than or not good enough, and welcome all types into your gym and lives. So what is up with your mean girls, clicky disregard for your partner-in-training, Dolvett Quince? You've treated him like the effing new guy since he arrived. We, viewers, gave him a chance because over the years, we've learned from you that everyone deserves a chance--even a second chance. Dolvett, like you two, has it--the unexplainable it factor. We know it. Producers know it. Contestants know it. You are the only ones in Loserville who seem unable to accept it. I've had enough and so here goes...

Dear Bob and Jillian,

I noticed it from the beginning. Anytime a new trainer was introduced, you two immediately went into them versus us mode. Granted, some of the trainers simply didn't work. Does anyone even remember Kim Lyons? Then, there were the mystery trainers? Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova. Not a good fit. Then, Jillian, you left of your own free will and producers had to bring in new blood-pumpers. Anna Kournikova was stunt casting that got viewers' attention and then just as easily lost it. But alongside the too-timid tennis ace was, tough but tender, fitness expert, Dolvett. From the minute we met him, it clicked. He was real, real good-looking and really committed. Just the kind of guy you two would root for if he didn't have your job. But you didn't root for him. You constantly reminded us that he was the third wheel with your body language and your buddy/buddy joking at workouts and weigh-ins. I commented on it at the very beginning of the finale this week when the two of you came on stage holding hands, almost skipping, noticeably ahead of Dolvett. Then, when Ally interviewed the three trainers, you practically boxed Dolvett out. Fortunately, Mr. Super Smile has mega-confidence and seems to take your tight twosome routine in stride. So I, too, was going to let it slide...again. But then came RachelGate and I simply could not stand by silently any longer.

This week, everyone is talking about the dramatic weight-loss of Biggest Loser winner, Rachel Frederickson. She went from an extremely unhealthy, obese weight of 260 to a size 2 weight of 105. Yes, it was an enormous amount of weight to lose and I agree that she looked too thin. But let's remember that Rachel, a former athlete, was trying to win a quarter of a million dollars in a television contest. Anyone who watched this season knows that Rachel is a competitor who comes to win. Now she's won and she has already talked about wanting to gain a few pounds and then work on maintaining her weight. Rachel was trained all season by Dolvett in the same gym right alongside you, Bob and Jillian, with the same doctors and nutritionists that all the contestants on the show use. But yesterday when it came time to comment on the Rachel Scandal, both of you issued your own statement together (Team Bob/Jillian) saying, "We're not comfortable commenting on Rachel's journey because we weren't her trainers and weren't given an opportunity to work with her at any point." Are you kidding? Way to stick by your co-worker! As you both are very aware, Rachel was on her own for the last few months. It's not like Dolvett was living at her house. You simply threw Dolvett under the bus and left him to be run over by the gossips and haters in the media and blogosphere. Did Dolvett distance himself from you, Jillian, after your team was punished because of your decision to give them caffeine supplements? The answer, of course, is no. He did not. Yesterday, Dolvett issued his own statement explaining that Rachel's weight loss journey and life transformation is not over. "Rachel's health is and always has been my main concern and her journey to good health has not yet ended!!The Biggest Loser nation has spoken. We love Dolvett. He's here to stay. So come on, Bob and Jillian, let him hang with you cool kids or you might just find yourselves at a loser table for two.

With my utmost admiration,

Amanda (official member of Team Dolvett)

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