Category: reality tv

Stephanie Anderson
Age: 29
Height: 5’8″
Hometown: West Hollywood, CA
Occupation: Radio Sales Executive
Partner: Patti (Mother)

NBC Bio
Having always been ambitious and driven, Stephanie works hard in a high-pressure job and uses her long hours and social outings as an excuse not to work out and be healthy. She also uses work as a reason for not having time to be in a serious relationship, when in reality she is afraid to put herself out there to be judged and possibly rejected. No stranger to a diet, she has never been able to get a grip on her weight. Stephanie was once a dancer and cheerleader and knows there is an athlete ready to emerge from within. Stephanie is ready to prove once and for all that she can lose the weight and keep it off.

Koli Palu
Age: 29
Height: 6’1″
Hometown: Rohnert Park, CA
Occupation: Football Coach/Head of Security
Partner: Sam (Cousin)

NBC Bio
With Koli’s Tongan roots, it seems that his culture has given him an excuse to be big and not worry about his weight. There are expectations that are put on Koli because of his weight: he is expected to eat more than everyone else, and he is the first person everyone calls when they need help moving. Koli works as a high school football coach in the day and is head of security during the night shift. This makes it hard to work out and causes him to eat at odd hours. Koli has grown up playing many sports and understands the importance of healthy living. He is very involved in athletics and wants to continue coaching where he can be a role model for young men. The first step to this dream in his life is being healthy and getting in shape.

Sam Poueu
Age: 24
Height: 6’4″
Hometown: Rohnert Park, CA
Occupation: Youth Football Coach/Security Guard
Partner: Koli (Cousin)

NBC Bio
Sam was born in 1985 on the tiny island of American Samoa. At eight months of age, his uncle and aunt, who live in the States, adopted Sam. Growing up in a Samoan family, being big was normal. There were always numerous family gatherings and plenty of food. Sam now works mainly in security and his schedule is abnormal; he works late nights and sleeps most of the day. Sam also commits his time volunteering as a youth football coach. This does not help establish healthy eating habits as he normally eats at late/odd hours. Not only does Sam want to get healthy and control his weight, but he also wants to develop better eating and workout habits. Many people in Sam’s family have diabetes, hypertension and gout. Sam believes that if he can do this for himself, he will be a great example to his family and many others in his culture. He intends on winning The Biggest Loser and bringing back what he learns to his large family (where he is one of over 150 grandchildren and great-grandchildren).

SunShine Hampton
Age: 24
Height: 5’6″
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Restaurant Server
Partner: O’Neal (Father)

NBC Bio
In high school, SunShine competed in both synchronized swimming and competitive swimming. While she has always been bigger, her selfless attitude has made it difficult to take the time necessary to meet her weight-loss goals. SunShine is constantly tempted by food at family gatherings and at work in a restaurant that serves mainly unhealthy dishes. She feels that the decisions she makes at this time in her life, and the patterns she sets up for herself, will determine what her future will look like. Without losing weight, SunShine feels the future is not as bright as it should be.

O’Neal Hampton Jr.
Age: 51
Height: 5’11”
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Station Manager, US Postal Service
Partner: Sunshine (Daughter)

NBC Bio
O’Neal is a very competitive person. His competitive drive no doubt comes from his love of sports. “Big O’Neal” (as he is affectionately known) has been coaching and playing football for over 35 years. Recently his oldest brother had a severe asthma attack and died before his 58th birthday. His brother’s untimely death has served as a wake-up call to O’Neal, and he is committed to becoming healthy and losing the weight for good.

Ashley Johnston
Age: 27
Height: 5’5″
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Occupation: Spa Manager/Esthetician
Partner: Sherry (Mother)

NBC Bio
Ashley started out as a normal healthy child but developed sleep apnea early. When she was six, she had her tonsils and adenoids removed and began growing quickly. By the time she was in high school, she wore a size 14-16. Ever since then, she has continued to gain and has put on over 100 pounds. Ashley hates to run into old friends and classmates because she feels embarrassed about her weight. She feels like she is stuck in a body that does not allow her to live life, be herself, and dress in the fashion she desires. Ashley finds it hard to work at a spa that concentrates on well-being because she feels that she projects a negative image to clients.

Sherry Johnston
Age: 51
Height: 5’1″
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Occupation: Admin, Non-Profit
Partner: Ashley (Daughter)

NBC Bio
Sherry was the thinnest child in her family up until the age of 30. While successful in maintaining her weight after two children, she let it spiral out of control after the death of her husband. Sherry is embarrassed to meet new colleagues at work because of her weight. She wants to regain control of her life and needs to lose the weight to be healthy and to be around to see her daughters give her grandchildren. She knows things must change immediately to live the full, long life that she knows she deserves.