After nearly seven years of whipping contestants into shape on “The Biggest Loser,” trainer extraordinaire Jillian Michaels is leaving the NBC reality hit to pursue new opportunities – and she says the road ahead looks brighter than ever.
“I’m so excited for the future — I’m going to start a family [and] I’ve always wanted to be in daytime [TV],” Jillian told Access Hollywood backstage following “The Biggest Loser” finale on Tuesday. “Now I have this opportunity to co-host on ‘The Doctors’ and to be mentored by Dr. Phil, so I’m over the moon. I’m just over the moon about it.”
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the 37-year-old fitness guru is in the final stages of adopting a child from Africa – something she says her new employers completely support.
“As soon as I get my referral, I’ll be going to wherever I need to go to get my kid, so it’s just a waiting game with that,” she told Access. “Luckily, I have all the support in the world in my new job. They’re like, ‘Whatever you need to do, wherever you need to go, we support you.’”
Tennis star Anna Kournikova will take Jillian’s revered place on the weight loss competition, and while some critics have questioned Anna’s suitability for the job, the tough-talking trainer had nothing but rave reviews for her replacement.
“All she has to do is be herself. I think she’s going to do great,” Jillian said when asked about the tennis star’s qualifications. “I wish success for the show and everyone involved with it.
“[Anna] is a professional athlete – it takes discipline, determination,” she added. “I’m sure she’s going to bring all those qualities.”
Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.