THE feud between Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels has been ongoing for several years – with it reignited in the recent Netflix documentary.
The hit show aired on NBC between 2004 and 2016 before being rebooted on US Network for one year in 2020.
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Both Bob and Jillian were trainers on the reality series as they helped overweight people slim down and tone up.
Bob appeared in over 250 shows between 2005 and 2020, while Jillian appeared in 183 between 2005 and 2014.
On the show, they competed against each other as personal trainers working with contestants.
In a new documentary about the controversial program, Bob opened up about his friendship – and feud – with Jillian.
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Bob was asked about their friendship in Netflix’s three-part docuseries Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser
In his response, Bob said, “How do I put this? People were always like, ‘You and Jillian have been so close.’
“I was like, Well we were close on TV,” Bob told producers before discussing his 2017 heart attack.
‘WE WEREN’T BESTIES’
He then said, “After I had my heart attack, she’s the one person I never heard from. That to me spoke volumes.“
He addressed their feud even more in a recent interview with The Guardian, saying, “We weren’t besties, but we were partners on a television show for a very long time.
“I would not expect Jillian Michaels to do anything other than what she wants to do.“
Following Bob’s heart attack, Jillian offered the following comment in 2017 while appearing on E!’s Daily Pop.
“Knowing a little bit about Bob, I know that he does have a family history of it.
“I was there when he lost his mother to a heart attack— with him the night that she died. So there is a family history.”
She then spoke of how the Paleo diet he was previously on, and his love of CrossFit might have contributed to his health.
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“It’s not a great combination with poor genetics,” she said at the time.
“Not that he has poor genetics, but if you have heart disease in your family…”
During the interview, she also said she understood why her former TV co-star was a fan of CrossFit.
She said at the time, “He loves it, and he loves the community, and he loves the challenge … from what I remember of Bob.
“He’s looking at it, and he’s like, ‘Well I can!’ He’s not thinking about it that way. He, personally, is like, ‘I love this challenge.’”
VEILED JIBES
Another time the pair’s feud came to a head was in 2020 when Bob slammed Jillian for dissing Lizzo.
Jillian raised eyebrows during an interview with BuzzFeed when she commented on Lizzo’s weight.
“Why aren’t we celebrating her music? ’Cause it isn’t gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes,” she said.
“I’m just being honest.
“[My family] loves [Lizzo’s] music, but there’s never a moment when I’m like, ‘And I’m so glad she’s overweight.’
“Why do I even care? Why is it my job to care about her weight?“
She then took to social media to double down on her comments, writing, “As I’ve stated repeatedly, we are all beautiful, worthy, and equally deserving.
“I also feel strongly that we love ourselves enough to acknowledge there are serious health consequences that come with obesity – heart disease, diabetes, cancer to name only a few.
“I would never wish these for ANYONE and I would hope we prioritize our health because we LOVE ourselves and our bodies.“
Bob then told Us Weekly in 2020, “I could never even think where she comes from.
“When it comes to my thoughts on anyone, I’m never going to give my opinion to anyone that’s not asking for it.
“It’s none of my business.“
SUBTLE SHADE
Bob also subtly shaded Jillian when appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
A caller asked Bob, “What do you miss the most about working with Jillian Michaels?”
To which he answered after looking at Andy: “I’m just really excited to be working with the two new trainers. I mean, they are fantastic.
“So Erica Lugo has lost 160 pounds, she’s incredible, so you know what? I’m really happy about the two new trainers.”
The Bravo boss then looked at the camera with a comical laugh and said: “Ok. Read between the lines!”
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