With Netflix’s Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser pulling back the curtain on one of America’s most controversial reality shows, Bob Harper—the show’s longest-standing trainer—is speaking out. And while the new documentary includes heavy criticism and emotional reckonings from former contestants, Harper is crystal clear on where he stands: he’s not here for the trolls.
“I really do believe we helped a lot of people,” Harper tells The Guardian in a new interview. “The trolls that are out there just want to attack in any way they can.”
Harper, now approaching 60 and living a more zen life as a yoga instructor in New York City, seems mostly unbothered by the online backlash. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t noticed it. Since The Biggest Loser first aired in 2004, it’s been both a cultural phenomenon and a lightning rod for criticism—from promoting unhealthy weight loss goals to fat-shaming. Much of that ire is now being reignited thanks to Fit for TV, where former contestants like Joelle Gwynn are brutally candid. (“Fuck you, Bob Harper,” Gwynn says in the documentary, referencing a moment when Harper yelled at her on set.)
Harper, however, has long since developed a thick skin. “I’ve learned to not take things personally,” he says, smiling from his stylish Manhattan apartment as his dog Ralph (yes, named after Ralph Lauren) scampers behind him.
Not Here for the Hate
The criticisms being resurfaced range from disturbing contestant experiences—vomiting, dehydration, restricted calories—to allegations that the show fueled national fatphobia. When told about a study that showed an increase in anti-fat bias among people who watched the show, Harper calls it “stupid.”
“We’re always going to have people who want to pick everything apart,” he says. “Especially when it comes to weight loss, people have really strong opinions. But honestly, a lot of it is just people looking for something to be mad about.”
He’s adamant that The Biggest Loser was not about shaming anyone, and says that while he can’t speak for the network or producers, he personally never intended to mock or mistreat anyone. “That’s something I would never do and have never done,” Harper insists.
Complicated Legacy
Still, there’s no denying the impact the show had—not just on the contestants, but on the culture at large. At its peak, the show drew over 10 million viewers and had dozens of international versions. But behind the scenes, things were far from glamorous. Harper admits to being physically and emotionally drained from the production schedule, even developing shingles from the stress and eating contestant challenge snacks just to get by.
Though the show’s messaging often equated thinness with success, Harper now claims to see things differently. “Healthy bodies come in many shapes and many sizes,” he says, though in the next breath adds, “Well, fat is bad. Let’s not kid anybody.” It’s a statement that underscores how complicated his relationship with body image and health truly is.
Harper also calls out the absurdity of the way producers shaped the show’s visual narrative. From manipulating camera angles to make contestants appear larger, to dolled-up “after” reveals alongside ghostly “before” images, the show’s aesthetic relied on extremes. “It was TV,” he says flatly. “They wanted drama.”
Still Proud, Still Standing
Despite the firestorm of criticism, Harper says he remains proud of the show and the transformations that did stick. He fondly recalls season 11 winner Olivia Ward, who later named her child after him. “She’s still a friend. She’s flying in for my birthday party next week,” he says with a grin. “And her sister Hannah looks great too.”
When asked if he thinks a show like The Biggest Loser could exist today, Harper doesn’t flinch. “I don’t see why not,” he says, though he admits it would “have to be completely different.” But in his view, the culture hasn’t changed much. “We’re just as obsessed with weight loss as we’ve ever been,” he notes, pointing to the explosion of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
And while he doesn’t outright endorse pharmaceuticals, Harper takes a live-and-let-live stance: “If that’s what you need to get started, I’m for anything that gets you on the path you want to be on.”
A New Era, Same Harper
Now living in what he calls his “retirement era,” Harper is content teaching hot yoga and enjoying the slower pace of post-TV life. He’s single—having split from his fiancé in 2019—but still open to love. “So if you know anyone…” he jokes.
As Fit for TV continues to spark debate and stir old wounds, Harper seems resolutely at peace with his role in The Biggest Loser. He’s taken responsibility for a few regrettable moments (like telling a contestant it was “good” that she vomited), but draws a firm line at being portrayed as the villain. “We were all adults,” he says.
Trolls may scream louder than ever, but Bob Harper isn’t listening. “I know what the show meant to me,” he says. “And I have nothing but good memories.”
