Jillian Michaels

This article is about the personal trainer and television personality. For the voice actress, see Jillian Michaels (voice actress).
Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels
Born Jillian L. McKarus[1]
(1974-02-18) February 18, 1974
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater California State University, Northridge
Occupation Personal trainer, businesswoman, television personality, writer
Height 5 ft 2.5 in (158.8 cm)
Weight 115 lb (52 kg)[2]
Children 2
Website www.jillianmichaels.com

Jillian Michaels (born February 18, 1974)[3] is an American personal trainer, businesswoman, author and television personality from Los Angeles, California.[4] Michaels is best known for her appearances on NBC's The Biggest Loser and Losing It with Jillian. She is also known for her appearance on the talk show The Doctors. In fall 2015, she hosted and co-judged a new series on Spike titled Sweat, INC. Additionally, in January 2016, her new reality television series Just Jillian premiered on E!.

Early life

Michaels was born in Los Angeles, California,[3] the daughter of JoAnn and Douglas McKarus, a lawyer.[5][6] She was raised in Santa Monica. Michaels has recalled a traumatic childhood that included night terrors, her parents' divorce when she was 12, and suffering verbal abuse by classmates as a 5-foot, 2-inch, 175-pound eighth-grader.[3]

Michaels attended California State University, Northridge, supporting herself as a bartender and personal trainer during that time. After working briefly as an agent with International Creative Management, in 2002, Michaels opened the sports medicine facility Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills.[3]

Career

As a personal trainer, Michaels uses a blend of strength training techniques with her clients including kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, plyometrics, and weight training.[7] Since 1993, Jillian has held two personal training certificates from the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) and The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). In addition, she is Kettlebell Concepts certified. Jillian has also developed a continuing education series for trainers with AFAA and holds a nutrition and wellness consultant certificate with the American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA).[8]

In January 2012, Michaels released a 90-day weight loss program titled "Body Revolution".[9] She recently launched BODYSHRED, her 30-minute workout class exclusively at GoodLife gyms in Canada and in the US with clubs like Lifetime fitness, Crunch and UFC Gyms.[10] In 2015, she launched her new infomercial BODYSHRED, a 60 day at home-workout program.[11] Michaels' business partner and manager is Giancarlo Chersich. Together, they operate Empowered Media, LLC.[12]

Media

In addition to her DVDs, Michaels has also authored several books on health and wellness topics. Several of these books, including Master Your Metabolism and Unlimited, have made the New York Times Best Seller list.[13][14]

Michaels hosted a Sunday talk radio show on Los Angeles' KFI (640 AM) from 2006 through 2009. Since February 2011, Michaels has hosted a weekly podcast, The Jillian Michaels Show, through iTunes. In December 2011 the show was among the podcasts honored by Apple in its App Store Rewind 2011, winning in the Best New Audio Podcast category.[15]

On October 21, 2008, she launched a video game for the Wii, Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009[16][17] A year later, she launched a sequel called Fitness Ultimatum 2010. In 2011, Michaels released two more games, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 and Jillian Michaels Fitness Adventure for the Xbox 360.

The Biggest Loser

Michaels was an original trainer on the reality series The Biggest Loser when the show debuted in October 2004. On the show, she assumed the role of Red Team trainer and remained in that capacity for the first two seasons. After her departure in 2006, she was replaced by Kim Lyons.[18] She returned to the show in 2007 as the Black Team trainer competing against Lyons' Red Team and Bob Harper's Blue Team.[19] Along with Harper, Michaels was also a trainer in the Australian version of the show from 2006 to 2008.[20]

On December 7, 2010, Michaels announced via Twitter that the eleventh season of the show would be her last.[21] Michaels made her last appearance on The Biggest Loser in May 2011.

On September 4, 2012, it was announced that Michaels will return to The Biggest Loser in Season 14.[22] Michaels also returned for Season 15, which premiered on October 15, 2013 on NBC.

Michaels announced on June 25, 2014 that she will not be returning for Season 16 which is set to air in the fall of 2014, marking her third departure from the weight loss series.[23]

Losing It With Jillian

On June 1, 2010, NBC debuted Losing It With Jillian, a spin-off of The Biggest Loser. In the show, Michaels visits the home and workplaces of family members for a week.[24][25]

Losing It With Jillian originally ran on NBC in June and July 2010. As of January 2012, all eight episodes of the series are available for viewing online.[26]

Contract with CBS Television Distribution

On May 6, 2011, CBS Television Distribution announced that Michaels had signed a multi-year deal to become a co-host of the panel-discussion show The Doctors, as well as to serve as a special correspondent on the CTD program Dr. Phil. Michaels had been a guest on The Doctors several times previously.[27] On the show, Michaels hosted a recurring segment called Ask Jillian, which dealt primarily with nutrition and diet topics.

Michaels left The Doctors in January 2012 after half a season, because, she claimed, the arrangement "wasn't the fit both the show and I hoped for".[28][29]

Charities

Michaels is involved in a variety of charities including the NFL's Play 60,[30] the Clinton Foundation's Alliance for a Healthier Generation,[31] Stand Up to Cancer,[32] Working Wardrobes,[33] Hope for Haiti,[34] and Sow a Seed and Dress for Success.[35] Michaels also devotes time to animal welfare causes, and she recently helped PETA rescue a racehorse from the slaughterhouse.[36]

Michaels serves as an adviser to the National Day of Dance for Heart Health, an organization that encourages people to exercise.[37] In January 2012, she was a participant in the Clinton Foundation's inaugural "Health Matters: Activating Wellness in Every Generation" conference.[38]

Controversy

In 2010, Michaels faced four separate lawsuits alleging ingredients in the Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control dietary supplement, the Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Fat Burner and the Triple Process Total Body Detox and Cleanse, were ineffective or dangerous.[39][40][41] In each instance, Michaels denied the allegations. All four suits were dismissed.[42][43][44]

Michaels was the subject of a critical October 2010 op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times. The article claimed Michaels "is not actually a real fitness trainer—she's an actress playing the role of fitness trainer on TV and in a line of popular DVDs" and alleged she had let several of her fitness certifications lapse.[45] Michaels responded by threatening legal action for defamation, stating she had been an active physical trainer for 19 years and that none of her certifications have lapsed.[46] The newspaper published a correction citing her up-to-date certifications shortly thereafter and no legal action was taken.[47]

Businesses

On August 5, 2014, Michael's announced her activewear line, Impact by Jillian Michaels at KMART. In March 2015 she expanded the line by adding athletic foot-wear for women and children.

Personal life

Michaels has two children with her fiance Heidi Rhoades.[48] Michaels adopted their then-two-year-old daughter from Haiti in May 2012, and Rhoades gave birth to a son that same month.[49] On her sexuality, Michaels has stated, "Let's just say I believe in healthy love. If I fall in love with a woman, that's awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that's awesome. As long as you fall in love…it's like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!"[48]

In an interview with Chris Azzopardi of Pride Source she said "I didn't even know I was (gay) until later in life. I mean, I realized I was bisexual at about 18 but I didn't even realize I was gay until into my 20s."

She also credits Madonna's "Justify My Love" video with helping her find her voice.

"It was a series of things... it was a process. Basically it was a combination of getting involved in martial arts and having these small successes within martial arts, which empowered me to start taking steps in my personal life, in my relationships, in my professional life, and then, honestly, when it comes to accepting my sexuality."

"It [the video] made a really big difference for my generation because (being gay) wasn't something that was disgusting and gross - just something that became cool overnight, thanks to Madonna. That allowed me to feel less ashamed - it became almost cool to explore it - and, unfortunately or fortunately, that exploration was not just an exploration, it wasn't just me experimenting. It turns out that was what was going on with me throughout all my teenage years. I really didn't know. I really thought something was wrong with me. I didn't know that I liked women, but I knew I didn't like men. I knew when I was a kid I didn't want to be physical with my boyfriends. Didn't wanna make out with them. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me."

Then when I became 18 and I was kissed by a girl, like a Katy Perry song, I was like, "Oh my god, this is what's been going on all these years." The light bulb went off in me and I'm like, "I've been gay this whole time," and I, honest to god, was in such deep denial that I had no idea until that moment.[50]

Michaels stated that she has had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder since she was a child.[51][52][53] Additionally, Michaels has polycystic ovary syndrome.[54]

Michaels is close to her mother, brother and younger sister.[55][56][57]

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLT9-BWM
  2. ↑ KFI Radio, October 5, 2008
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Jillian Michaels Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Jillian Michaels". AskMen.com. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  5. ↑ "Jo Ann McKarus: Psychotherapist". JillianMichaels.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  6. ↑ http://www.juliehadden.com/Jillian_Health4WomenMag.pdf
  7. ↑ "Jillian's Bio". JillianMichaels.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Jillian Michaels Bio". Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Twitter / @JillianMichaels (accessed 10 January 2012)
  10. ↑ {https://www.jillianmichaelsbodyshred.com/}
  11. ↑ {https://www.getbodyshred.com/}
  12. ↑ "Jillian's Appearances". JillianMichaels.com. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  13. ↑ Best Sellers - The New York Times February 07, 2010 (accessed 11 January 2012)
  14. ↑ Best Sellers - The New York Times April 24, 2011 (accessed 11 January 2012)
  15. ↑ iTunes Rewind 2011: Apple Gives Us Their Best Music, Movies, and Apps of the Year (accessed 10 January 2012)
  16. ↑ "'Biggest Loser' trainer Jillian Michaels to star in Wii fitness video game - Reality TV World - News, information, episode summaries, message boards, chat and games for unscripted television programs". Reality TV World. 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  17. ↑ "E3 2008: Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009". IGN. July 14, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ Why did Jillian leave ‘Biggest Loser’? (accessed 10 January 2012)
  19. ↑ Jillian Michaels returns to 'Biggest Loser' (accessed 10 January 2012)
  20. ↑ Biggest Loser star battled weight, blues The Sydney Morning Herald, September 18, 2006 (accessed 10 January 2012)
  21. ↑ "'Biggest Loser' will soon lose Jillian Michaels – The Marquee Blog". CNN.
  22. ↑ "Jillian Michaels Returns to 'The Biggest Loser' in January 2012; Series to Feature Teen Participants". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  23. ↑ http://www.today.com/entertainment/biggest-loser-trainer-jillian-michaels-wont-return-season-16-1D79851270
  24. ↑ Losing It With Jillian. - NBC. (at NBC.com).
  25. ↑ Kinon, Cristina (May 12, 2010). "'Mean' trainer Jillian Michaels sheds tears, while families shed pounds on 'Losing It With Jillian'". Daily News. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  26. ↑ Losing it With Jillian - NBC Site (accessed 11 January 2012)
  27. ↑ Albiniak, Paige (May 6, 2011). "Jillian Michaels to join 'The Doctors'". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  28. ↑ Starr, Michael. Jillian Michaels off 'Doctors', New York Post, January 3, 2012. (accessed 11 January 2012)
  29. ↑ Potts.
  30. ↑ The Biggest Loser's Jillian Michaels at the NFL's Play 60 Event (accessed 10 January 2012)
  31. ↑ Jillan Michaels: A Natural Fit (accessed 10 January 2012)
  32. ↑ Jillian Michaels to Host All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run (accessed 10 January 2012)
  33. ↑ Working Wardrobes Press Room (accessed 10 January 2012)
  34. ↑ Fisher, Luchina. "Hope for Haiti: Stars Line Up for Tonight's Telethon", ABC News, January 22, 2010. (accessed 24 January 2012)
  35. ↑ Dress for Success Worldwide: The Power Walk (accessed 19 January 2012)
  36. ↑ Beth Ann Macaluso, "Jilian Michaels Helps Rescue Racehorse Bound for Slaughter," US Weekly April 19, 2012.
  37. ↑ The Biggest Loser: Jillian Michaels (accessed 10 January 2012)
  38. ↑ President Clinton Announces Program and Featured Attendees for the Inaugural Health Matters: Activating Wellness in Every Generation Conference, Clinton Foundation, January 12, 2012. (accessed 19 January 2012)
  39. ↑ "'Biggest Loser' Star - Big Fat Liar ... Allegedly". TMZ.com. February 10, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  40. ↑ Barrett, Stephen, M.D. (February 14, 2010). "Jillian Michaels Sued for False Advertising". Diet Scam Watch. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Jillian Michaels Weight Loss Supplement Potentially Lethal, Lawsuit Claims". DrugWatch. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  42. ↑ Greer, et al. v. Michaels, et al., No. 10CV1037 (C.D. Cal. dismissal March 16, 2010)
  43. ↑ DeMott v. Jillian Michaels, No. 10CV5886 (C.D. Cal. dismissal January 24, 2011)
  44. ↑ Christensen v. Michaels, et al., No. BC431560 (Superior Court of Los Angeles County dismissal November 2, 2011)
  45. ↑ Fell, James S. Ring the kettle bell. School's back in. Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2010
  46. ↑ "Jillian Michaels: 'Shame on the LA Times for Saying I'm a Fraud'". Us Weekly. October 14, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  47. ↑ "For the Record". Los Angeles Times. October 28, 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  48. 1 2 "Jillian Michaels Is Gay". SheKnows.com. May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Jillian Michaels Is a Mom – Times Two!". People. May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  50. ↑ http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=74921
  51. ↑ "Why we need to learn to cook, page 2". Everydayhealth.com. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  52. ↑ "Jillian Michaels". Healthy Living Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  53. ↑ Palmer, Jim (January 13, 2015). "Jillian Michaels". News Shopper. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  54. ↑ "Jillian Michaels Gets Personal About Her Biggest Dream Yet". Redbookmag.com. 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  55. ↑ Newman, Judith. "Jillian Michaels: The Queen of Lean", Ladies' Home Journal, February 2010. (accessed 19 January 2012)
  56. ↑ Jillian Michaels Biography (accessed 11 January 2012)
  57. ↑ "TV's Toughest Trainer, Life Coach, Fitness Expert". JillianMichaels.com. Retrieved 2010-05-17.

External links

Awards and achievements
New title The Biggest Loser Red Team trainer
October 19, 2004 – November 29, 2005 		Succeeded by
Kim Lyons
New creation The Biggest Loser Black Team trainer
September 11, 2007 – May 24, 2011 		Succeeded by
Anna Kournikova
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