"The Biggest Loser" is back with another bunch of overweight contestants hoping to change their lives by learning to eat right, live healthy and shed some major pounds on the way. But there are two firsts for the NBC show in its 14th season: kid participants and an openly gay contestant.
As a child, Jackson Carter was bullied for more than just being heavy -- he was also picked on after coming out at age 14. Now 21, he volunteers at an LGBT youth outreach center in Utah. "I want to be a role model for those kids so that they grow up to lead successful, healthy lives," he said in his NBC bio.
The youngsters competing are 13-year-old Lindsay Bravo, who quit cheerleading after others made fun of her for her weight; 13-year-old "Biingo" Gray, who wants to grow up to be a pro baseball player; and 16-year-old "Sunny" Chandrasekar, who takes Advanced Placement courses but says her weight diminishes her self-confidence.
The season's heaviest contestant is 34-year-old college professor Michael Dorsey, who weighs in at 444 pounds. In his bio, he said weight loss "just seems like that impossible mountain I cannot overcome."
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Biggest Loser season 14 cast
The contest will be divided into three teams, each led by one of the trainers: Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels and Dolvett Quince. There will be one child on each team, and the kids will compete with and contribute to their groups, though they will not weigh in as the adults do.
"Biggest Loser" kicks off its new season on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m., and continues for a second night at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7 on NBC.
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