'The Biggest Loser' eliminates Marie Pearl and Tanya Winfield at weigh-in

The Biggest Loser eliminated two contestants during Tuesday night's thirteenth broadcast of the NBC reality weight-loss competition's fifteenth season.


Marie Pearl, a 30-year-old senior staff accountant at a community college from Springfield, MO, and Tanya Winfield, a 41-year-old restaurant franchise chief operating officer from Plainfield, IL, were automatically ousted after they both fell below the red line by posting the two lowest weight-loss percentages of all the remaining contestants at the season's thirteenth elimination weigh-in.

"So much has changed for me besides just the weight loss. It's much more than that number on the scale. I have become confident. I've become strong. I've become an athlete again. I've become the person that I've always dreamed of being," Marie said following her ouster.

"I think the thing that I'm going to miss most is all the amazing people. That's going to be the toughest part, to say goodbye to every single person that has been a part of my journey and has really believed in me. Starting a family is my ultimate goal. It's what helped keep me motivated every single second of every single day. I'm ready to be that mom, I'm ready to start that family, and I'm ready to just live a wonderful life."

The Biggest Loser's Makeover Week episode began with the seven remaining contestants getting new clothes and their hair and/or makeup done as a step closer towards their final transformations.


David Brown, a 43-year-old construction company project manager and phone company social commerce leader from Edmond, OK, arguably completed the most drastic makeover. He shaved off his beard and wore a suit, looking years younger.

Marie's shoulder-length hair was chopped off into a short blonde pixie cut, and Jennifer Messer, a 42-year-old clerk and bookkeeper from Abingdon, VA, had dyed her hair from blonde to a reddish brown.

Last night's episode also featured an update of Jay Sheets' weight-loss progress since his The Biggest Loser elimination. Jay, a 38-year-old food company marketing associate from Farmington, MO, began his journey at 297 pounds and currently weighs 185 pounds. He no longer suffers from sleep apnea and can ride horses and steer-rope again after facing years of physical limitations due to being overweight.

After each contestant revealed his or her new look to family members and loved ones, the individuals participated in a last-chance workout with the show's trainers.

Later on, the contestants, Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels and Dolvett Quince met host Alison Sweeney for the week's weigh-in. Alison explained there would be a red line and a double elimination, so the two people to post the lowest percentages of weight-loss would automatically be sent home.


Bobby Saleem, a 28-year-old attorney from Chicago, IL, was the first person to step on the scale. Bobby fell from 254 pounds -- although he had gained two pounds the week prior to be at 256 pounds -- to 248 pounds, losing six pounds and posting a 2.36% weight-loss percentage.

Tanya; Chelsea Arthurs, a 28-year-old clinical research professional and event planner from Raleigh, NC; Rachel Frederickson, a 24-year-old voice-over artist from Los Angeles, CA; and Jennifer each lost four pounds.

Tanya dropped from 196 to 192 pounds and posted a 2.04% weight-loss percentage. Chelsea posted a 2.38% weight-loss percentage after falling from 168 to 164 pounds. Rachel went from 155 to 151 pounds, posting a 2.58% weight-loss percentage. Jennifer fell from 189 to 185 pounds. She posted a 2.12% weight-loss percentage.

Marie dropped from 178 to 175, shedding three pounds and posting a 1.69% weight-loss percentage. David lost a total of seven pounds for the week. He fell from 266 to 259 pounds, posting a 2.63% weight-loss percentage.

As a result, Marie and Tanya fell below the red line.


On her way out, Tanya expressed how proud she was to have three fellow former Red Team members in the Final 5. The Red Team had been trained by Dolvett, whom Tanya admitted throughout the season she had a big crush on.

"Boy, what a journey," Tanya said following her ouster.

"Thirteen weeks ago, I was this woman who was just trying to find her way, and the thoughts that would go through my mind about the abuse I suffered from my mother, getting through it was difficult. I didn't know I was captive in my own thoughts and in my negative image of myself. Now, I'm am this confident woman that's ready to take on any challenges that come my way. I love myself unconditionally now, and so I'm praising myself. I'm celebrating myself. I have so much love to share."






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski