Jillian Michaels, the notoriously tough fitness coach on reality weight-loss show 'The Biggest Loser', has been dubbed an 'actress' by a Los Angeles Times columnist. In a scathing article about the 36-year-old, James S. Fell writes that Michaels' methods are 'unsafe'.
Fell, who is a strength and conditioning specialist suggested that the fitness coach is simply playing a character, he said, "I have an internationally respected fitness certification and 17 years' experience with free weights..", before adding, "Jillian Michaels, on the other hand, is lacking in shame. At least that's what I thought until I realized 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 DVD's". As well as appearing on 'The Biggest Loser', Michaels also presents her own show, 'Losing It With Jillian', and recently released her new DVD, entitled, 'Shred-It With Weights'. However, Fell doubts her technical skills, saying, "Typical viewers think she's great, yet the collective jaws of professional trainers hit the floor after witnessing her regular displays of poor technique and unsafe training practices".
Michaels sparked controversy in April 2010 after she revealed she would be adopting rather than giving birth because of 'body issues', telling Woman's Health magazine, "I'm going to adopt. I can't handle doing that to my body".