Everyone knows that many people go on reality shows to gain exposure, further a career, and make a name for themselves. This is generally not the case for those who appear of "The Biggest Loser." These players are committed to dropping pounds and regaining control of their lives. But there have been a few singers on the series who find that losing weight significantly affects their performance and sometimes even helps their careers.
Chism Cornelison - Season 13
Chism Cornelison, the latest player sent home from Season 13, may be the next one to get some musical recognition from the show. In the last episode of "The Biggest Loser" players were sent home for 18 days. Cornelison returned to his girlfriend and his band, My Side of The Story.
While he balanced the pressure of being home and continuing his weight loss journey, he did take time for his music. In a recent conference call interview he recalled how he reacted when he heard his song on TV. "That was incredible. It was really cool. We never really thought that [our music] would get any bigger than my garage, but I guess my garage is big enough to be filmed on national TV and put out there."
While he has no specific plans for the future, Cornelison said "The Biggest Loser" has made a difference in his ability to be on stage. Prior to losing the weight, he would get nervous about his stamina, but that has now changed due to his better health and improved fitness.
He also pointed out another way the show has helped his music. He said, "If you're out of breath on stage, you can't project your voice as well, and so now that I have better control of my breathing and just cardio in general and being able to jump around and sing at the same time, it's significantly improved my stage performance and my voice."
Vinny Hickerson - Season 12
Vinny Hickerson was a contestant on Season 12 of "The Biggest Loser." He lost 184 pounds on his journey and ended up proposing marriage to his girlfriend at the Grand Ol' Opry in an episode of the show. While on the ranch he talked about being a singer in a country band called Trailer Choir that was signed to a record deal after being discovered by Toby Keith. In 2010, they were nominated for a CMT Award for a music video for their song "Rockin' the Beer Gut." Since being on the show, Vinny and his band have released a new single, "Love Me First," and continue to play live around the country.
Olivia Ward - Season 11 During one of the final weigh-ins on Season 11, contestant Olivia Ward treated her trainers, fellow competitors, and the viewers to a bit of her classically trained voice. The Mezzo-Soprano opera singer performed on national TV for the first time. In a conference call shortly after her May 2011 win, Ward stated, "For so long when you live in such a world where you feel that there is so many limitations that are put on you, then all of a sudden it's like the skies and beyond is the limit."
She was grateful to "The Biggest Loser" for making her optimistic about singing, "This new transformation is going to open so many doors for me in career, and not just physically, but from an inside point, as well. For a long time I have waited [on] really putting myself out there because I was afraid of being disappointed."
Ward, however, is not currently singing. Instead she spends a lot of time with her sister, Season 11 runner-up Hannah Curlee, traveling the country and encouraging others to shed pounds and change their lives.
Dan Evans - Season 5
In Season 5 of "The Biggest Loser," 21-year-old Dan Evans made it all the way to week 14 before being eliminated. In the end he lost a total of 136 pounds and gained back his confidence. Just five months after the finale he released a CD called "Goin' All Out." The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard Country Chart. These days Dan spends his time raising money for the Kids Fit Foundation. http://www.billboard.com/artist/dan-evans/324418#/charts/country-albums?chartDate=2008-10-25 https://twitter.com/#!/DanEvansMusic
Watch "The Biggest Loser" on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. Central on NBC.
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