Jillian Michaels

Last updated

Jillian Michaels
Jillian Michaels Candid Photo.jpg
Michaels in May 2018
Born
Jillian Leigh McKarus

(1974-02-18) February 18, 1974 (age 51)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Personal trainer
  • businesswoman
  • media personality
  • author
Spouse
Deshanna Marie Michaels
(m. 2022)
Children2
Website jillianmichaels.com

Jillian Leigh McKarus (born February 18, 1974), known professionally as Jillian Michaels, is an American fitness trainer, nutritionist, businesswoman, media personality, and author. [1] She is best known for her appearances on NBC series such as The Biggest Loser . She has also made an appearance on the talk show The Doctors . In 2015, she hosted and co-judged a series on Spike titled Sweat, INC. In 2016, her reality television series Just Jillian premiered on E!.

Contents

Early life

Michaels was born Jillian Leigh McKarus [2] in Los Angeles on February 18, 1974, [3] the daughter of psychotherapist JoAnn, and lawyer Douglas McKarus. [4] [5] [6] Her mother is Jewish [7] and her father is of Syrian descent. [7] She was raised in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. [3]

Michaels was overweight in her youth, using food to comfort herself, which became more pronounced at age 13 when her parents divorced. Her mother enrolled her in martial arts classes to help her deal with stress, which inspired her interest in exercise and fitness. [8]

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

Career

Michaels in April 2011 Jillian Michaels (5599059149).jpg
Michaels in April 2011

As a personal trainer, Michaels uses a blend of strength training techniques with her clients including kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, plyometrics, and weight training. [9] Michaels 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). [10]

Media

Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App is one of the top fitness apps globally and has won awards from both Apple and Google for best of in health and fitness app category. [11] Michaels has also authored 9 books on health and wellness topics with eight New York Times Best Sellers New York Times Best Seller list. [12] [13]

Since February 2011, Michaels has hosted a weekly podcast, Keeping It Real, 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. [14] Michaels recently formed a partnership with Bill Maher's Club Random to expand her audio podcast "Keeping It Real" to video. [15] Also in the same year, Michaels appeared in a commercial with former race car driver Danica Patrick for the Internet domain website godaddy.com for Super Bowl XLV. [16]

Michaels launched her company, Empowered Media LLC, in 2008 and released her fitness video membership website called Fitfusion.com. Fitfusion is also associated and broadcasts on AT&T U-verse, BroadbandTV Corp, Bell Satellite TV Canada, and other TV channels, as well as Roku, Apple TV, and Fitness OnDemand reaching audiences in Marriott, Hilton Worldwide and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. [17] [18]

The Biggest Loser

Michaels in April 2017 Jillian Michaels (34144495611).jpg
Michaels in April 2017

Michaels was a trainer on the reality series The Biggest Loser when the show started 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. [19] She returned to the show in 2007 as the Black Team trainer competing against Lyons's Red Team and Bob Harper's Blue Team. [20] Along with Harper, Michaels was also a trainer in the Australian version of the show from 2006 to 2008. [21]

On December 7, 2010, Michaels announced via Twitter that the eleventh season of the show would be her last. [22] Michaels made her last appearance on The Biggest Loser on May 24, 2011.

On September 4, 2012, it was announced that Michaels would return to The Biggest Loser in Season 14. [23] Michaels also returned for Season 15, which premiered on October 15, 2013, on NBC, but did not return for Season 16 which aired in the fall of 2014. [24]

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. [25] [26]

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. [27]

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. [28] 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 said, the arrangement "wasn't the fit both the show and I hoped for". [29] [ unreliable source? ] [30] [ full citation needed ]

Personal life

Michaels and Basic Research LLC were sued in a class action suit for false advertising when marketing Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control, which claimed to promote weight loss by only taking two pills before a meal. [31] [32] [33] Basic Research was given the "Most Outrageous" award for Quackwatch's 2010 Slim Chance Awards, which is awarded to "... promoters of weight loss schemes." [31] Michaels was sued multiple times over the diet pills with her name on them. The lawsuits were dismissed. [34]

Michaels publicly came out in 2012, but 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!" [35] She has credited the music video for Madonna's 1990 song "Justify My Love" with helping her acknowledge her sexuality. [36]

Michaels works with a variety of charities including the UNHCR, [37] the NFL's Play 60, [38] Stand Up to Cancer, [39] Working Wardrobes, [40] Hope for Haiti, [41] Sow a Seed, and Dress for Success. [42] She also devotes time to animal welfare causes, and helped PETA rescue a racehorse from a slaughterhouse in 2012. [43]

From 2009 to 2018, Michaels was in a relationship with Heidi Rhoades. [35] They adopted a two-year-old daughter, Lukensia, from Haiti in May 2012, while Rhoades gave birth to a son, Phoenix, that same month. [6] [44] They became engaged at an unknown date, but announced the end of their relationship in June 2018. [45] [46]

In 2018, Michaels began a relationship with fashion designer Deshanna Marie Minuto. They became engaged in November 2021 and married in July 2022. [47] [48]

Political views

In 2016, Michaels labeled President-elect Donald Trump's running mate Mike Pence "the number one anti-gay politician in the country right now." [49]

In 2024, Michaels frequently expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his presidential campaign, praising his views on chronic health. [50] In a reversal of her prior comments regarding Trump, Michaels announced she had voted for him in the 2024 presidential election. [51]

In 2025, Michaels appeared on a CNN talk show. During the discussion, she expressed her support for Trump's executive order that ordered the removal of "divisive or partisan narratives" from the Smithsonian. When the news anchor asked her about it, she said, "When you make every single exhibit about white imperialism, when it isn’t relevant at all, that is a problem." Her response caused heated reactions on the talk show and social media, with some accusing her of downplaying white supremacy and others supporting her, like conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, who said that Michaels is "awesome”. [52]

Bibliography

References

  1. "Jillian Michaels". AskMen.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  2. "Jillian Michaels, American Fitness Trainer, TV Personality". People Magazine . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Jillian Michaels Biography". Biography.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  4. "Jo Ann McKarus: Psychotherapist". JillianMichaels.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  5. "Health for Women Magazine" (PDF). www.juliehadden.com. 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Slater, Georgia (November 18, 2021). "Jillian Michaels on Adopting Daughter from Haiti: I Had 'This Gift I Could Give ... Citizenship'". People . Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "The Heartbreaking Reason Jillian Michaels Is Dedicated to Walking". Yahoo! . July 11, 2019. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024.
  8. Brenza, Amber (January 9, 2019). "Why Jillian Michaels is All About Intermittent Fasting". Women's Health .
  9. "Jillian's Bio". JillianMichaels.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  10. "Jillian Michaels Bio". Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  11. "Best Daily Helper - Android Apps on Google Play" . Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  12. Best Sellers - The New York Times February 07, 2010 (accessed January 11, 2012)
  13. Best Sellers - The New York Times April 24, 2011 (accessed January 11, 2012)
  14. iTunes Rewind 2011: Apple Gives Us Their Best Music, Movies, and Apps of the Year (accessed January 10, 2012)
  15. Hume, Ashley; Fink, Larry (August 23, 2024). "Jillian Michaels loves the 'patriotism and Americana' in Wyoming after leaving California". Fox News . Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  16. Smith, Aaron (January 19, 2011). "Jillian Michaels Joins GoDaddy.com for 2011 Super Bowl ad (a.k.a Meet the Newest GoDaddy Girl)". CNN Money . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  17. "'Meet the Netflix for Fitness: FitFusion". Reader's Digest Best Health Magazine. January 19, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  18. "'FitFusion.com Makes Switching Up Your Workout Cheaper and Easier". Self Magazine. March 24, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  19. Why did Jillian leave 'Biggest Loser'? (accessed January 10, 2012)
  20. Jillian Michaels returns to 'Biggest Loser' (accessed January 10, 2012)
  21. Biggest Loser star battled weight, blues The Sydney Morning Herald , September 18, 2006 (accessed January 10, 2012)
  22. "'Biggest Loser' will soon lose Jillian Michaels The Marquee Blog". CNN . Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  23. "Jillian Michaels Returns to 'The Biggest Loser' in January 2012; Series to Feature Teen Participants". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  24. Hines, Ree (June 25, 2014). "'Biggest Loser' trainer Jillian Michaels won't return for season 16". Today.com .
  25. Losing It with Jillian. - NBC. (at NBC.com).
  26. Kinon, Cristina (May 12, 2010). "'Mean' trainer Jillian Michaels sheds tears, while families shed pounds on 'Losing It with Jillian'". Daily News . Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  27. Losing it With Jillian - NBC Site (accessed January 11, 2012)
  28. Albiniak, Paige (May 6, 2011). "Jillian Michaels to join 'The Doctors'". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  29. Starr, Michael (January 3, 2012). "Jillian Michaels off 'Doctors'". New York Post . Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  30. Potts.
  31. 1 2 Kreidler, Marc (December 29, 2010). "2010 Slim Chance Awards | Quackwatch" . Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  32. Kreidler, Marc (February 14, 2009). "Class Action Suit against Jillian Michaels | Quackwatch" . Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  33. Smith, Ryan (February 15, 2010). "Jillian Michaels Sued Over Diet Pills; "Biggest Loser" Star Stands By Her Product". CBS News . Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  34. "Burning Question: Did 'Biggest Loser's' Jillian Michaels Go Too Far with Caffeine Pills?". Yahoo! Entertainment . September 8, 2013.
  35. 1 2 McGinnis, Sara (May 23, 2012). "Jillian Michaels Is Gay". SheKnows.com. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  36. "Q&A: Jillian Michaels on Her Madonna-Influenced Coming Out, LGBT Community's Pressure to Marry & Why She Uses the Word 'Fag'". Between the Lines .
  37. "Close". People . Archived from the original on July 1, 2019.
  38. The Biggest Loser's Jillian Michaels at the NFL's Play 60 Event Archived January 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (accessed January 10, 2012)
  39. Jillian Michaels to Host All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run Archived January 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (accessed January 10, 2012)
  40. Working Wardrobes Press Room Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (accessed January 10, 2012)
  41. Fisher, Luchina (January 22, 2010). "Hope for Haiti: Stars Line Up for Tonight's Telethon". ABC News . Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  42. Dress for Success Worldwide: The Power Walk [ usurped ] (accessed January 19, 2012)
  43. Macaluso, Beth Ann (April 19, 2012). "Jilian Michaels Helps Rescue Racehorse Bound for Slaughter". US Weekly . Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  44. "Jillian Michaels Is a Mom – Times Two!". People . May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  45. Hautman, Nicholas (June 15, 2018). "Jillian Michaels and Fiancee Heidi Rhoades Split After Nearly Nine Years Together". Us Weekly . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  46. Mazziotta, Julie (June 15, 2018). "Jillian Michaels and Fiancée Heidi Rhoades Have Been Split 'for Awhile Now'". People . Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  47. Siwak, Miranda (November 28, 2021). "Jillian Michaels Is Engaged to DeShanna Marie Minuto". Us Weekly .
  48. Pettibone, Kat (July 22, 2022). "Jillian Michaels, Marries Fiancee DeShanna Marie Minuto". Us Weekly .
  49. Bendix, Trish (November 18, 2016). "Jillian Michaels is One Political Mother". Go . Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  50. Holleran, Andrew (September 26, 2024). "Fitness Icon Jillian Michaels Had Scary Message For Everyone On Fox News". TheSpun.com.
  51. @rubinreport; (November 3, 2024). "Jillian Michaels is supporting Donald Trump 🇺🇸 The full interview is out now across platforms" via Instagram.
  52. Langmuir, Molly (August 25, 2025). "How Did Jillian Michaels End Up Here?". The New York Times . Retrieved August 26, 2025.