Anna Kournikova will not be returning for next season of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
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Kournikova was hired by NBC to host and act as trainer on season 12 of the reality weight loss series, following Jillian Michael‘s exit. It seemed like a great idea at the time: she’s attractive, camera friendly and a major athlete. But staffers say they clashed with her, and some of the contestants found her a bit brash. Whereas Michaels was soothing, encouraging and even uplifting, Kournikova did not sympathize with her overweight contestants, often telling them about her own tough upbringing when they complained about training being hard.
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A source on the show actually called Kournikova “a nightmare.” She would definitely not have been mistaken for a life coach.
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Kournikova and her reps did admit to THR that she is leaving the show after one season, and the tennis star issued this statement to us: “I enjoyed my time on the Biggest Loser ranch. Although I will not be returning as a full time trainer on season 13, I will always be a part of The Biggest Loser family and my commitment to bettering lives through health and fitness will continue.”
