New York Native Chopin Posts the Largest Weight-loss in the Series′ History, Taking the $250,000 Grand Prize
Semi-finalists Kai Hibbard (Alaska) and Mark Wylie (Florida) Take Home the Second and Third Place Prizes of $50,000 and $25,000
California′s Brian Starkey Takes Home the $100,000 Prize as the "Winner of the Losers"
New Jersey′s Poppi Kramer Wins $50,000 as the Top At-Home Contestant
In last night′s live season finale of NBC′s popular weight-loss series "The Biggest Loser," 35-year-old West Islip, Long Island, New York native Erik Chopin lost 214 pounds and 52.58% of his body weight - the most for any contestant in the show′s history - to claim the top prize of $250,000 and the title of "The Biggest Loser."
During the jaw-dropping live finale, several other prizes were also awarded for the season, which featured contestants from all 50-states competing for the title. Semi-finalists Kai Hibbard (Eagle River, Alaska) and Mark Wylie (Miami, Florida) took home the second and third place prizes of $50,000 and $25,000 respectively. Los Angeles, California′s Brian Starkey took the $100,000 prize as the top ′winner of the losers′ from those who were eliminated at the ranch during the competition. In addition, Poppi Kramer (River Edge, New Jersey) won $50,000 when she topped the state competition beating out 34 other contestants who trained at-home with the help of thebiggestloserclub.com, DVD and cookbook.
Chopin currently lives on Long Island and owns a local deli. A self-described family man, Chopin works day and night to provide for his wife and two young daughters. When starting "The Biggest Loser" diet, Chopin weighed in at 407 pounds and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. With the help of his Blue Team Trainer Bob Harper, Chopin was able to shed the pounds, adopting a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise.
Hibbard lost 118 pounds, 45.04% of her body weight, and Wylie lost 129 pounds or 42.02% of his total body weight. Starkey lost 156 pounds or 50.65% of his body weight, and Kramer lost 50.43% or 117 total pounds. An astounding 19 people out of the 50 who started the competition have lost over 100 pounds this season.
From 8-10 p.m., "The Biggest Loser" finale (4.8/13 in 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall) delivered NBC′s highest non-Olympic 18-49 rating in the time period in two-and-a-half years (since May 5, 2004, with special "Friends"encores and a "Friends" themed "Dateline NBC" on the eve of the "Friends" finale). In total viewers, it′s NBC′s biggest overall audience in the time period since May 10, 2006. "The Biggest Loser" won the time period in adults 18-49, as well as adults, men and women 18-34, adults 25-54, women 18-49 and women 25-54. This is the top-scoring "The Biggest Loser" in 18-49 and total viewers since November 29, 2005.
"The Biggest Loser" is the first reality show that challenges and encourages overweight contestants as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000 in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise. The unscripted and life-altering reality series gathers contestants from across the country to face real-life temptations, while being provided with approved weight-loss skills and resources in an effort to help them transform their bodies, health -- and ultimately -- their lives. Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Kim Lyons (red team) and Bob Harper (blue team). Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch") hosts.
