Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

'The Biggest Loser' season 17 cast heavily Southern (with five Georgians)

THE BIGGEST LOSER -- "1701" Episode 1701 -- Pictured: (l-r) Lauren Clark, Vicki Clark, Hope Williamson, Colby Wright, Luis Hernandez, Roberto Hernandez, Sarah Gilbert, Robert Kidney, Felicia Bufkin, Whitney Clay, Tonsheia Grandison, Britney Anderson, Erin Grace Willett, Richard Hatch, Jacquelyne Kmet, Stephen Kmet -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

THE BIGGEST LOSER -- "1701" Episode 1701 -- Pictured: (l-r) Lauren Clark, Vicki Clark, Hope Williamson, Colby Wright, Luis Hernandez, Roberto Hernandez, Sarah Gilbert, Robert Kidney, Felicia Bufkin, Whitney Clay, Tonsheia Grandison, Britney Anderson, Erin Grace Willett, Richard Hatch, Jacquelyne Kmet, Stephen Kmet -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
By
Dec 2, 2015

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, December 2, 2015

NBC's "The Biggest Loser" generates headlines nowadays by adding a celebrity or two each season. This year, it's Richard Hatch, season one "Survivor" winner and a season two "The Voice" contestant Erin Willett are teamed up. Former "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard and pro tennis player Zina Garrison have participated in the past.

But I also noticed that the South was heavily represented in this season's cast of 16, which features duos of siblings, spouses and parents/children and the like. Ten of the 16 are from the Southeast, five from Georgia.

None are from metro Atlanta. Two are from K'ville, near Savannah. Others are from Perry, Statesboro and Warner Robins. Another is from Kissimmee, Fl. and four are from North Carolina.

This isn't quite as flattering as "American Idol," which has had plenty of contestants from the South over the years, from Clay Aiken to Chris Daughtry to Georgia's own Phillip Phillips.  A majority of the winners are from the region.

"The Biggest Loser" returns January 4, 2016. The winner takes home $250,000.

The breakdowns are as follows:

Best Friends

  • Whitney Clay (Nanny), 30, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Felicia Buffkin (Nanny), 29, Raleigh

Parent-Adult Child Teams

  • Vicki Clark (women's health care nurse practitioner), 54, Bladenboro, North Carolina
  • Lauren Clark (nutritionist), 32, Bladenboro
  • Rob Kidney (small business owner), 56, Warner Robins, Georgia
  • Sarah Gilbert (makeup artist), 27, Perry, Georgia

Relatives (Aunt/Niece)

  • Tonsheia "Toy" Grandison (store manager/part-time caretaker at a girl's group home), 35, Statesboro, Georgia
  • Britney Anderson (health unit coordinator and makeup artist/hairstylist), 27, Kissimmee, Florida

Siblings

  • Luis Hernandez (physical/health/driver's education teacher), 36, Chicago
  • Roberto Hernandez (physical/health/driver's education teacher), 36, Burbank, Illinois

Spouses

  • Jacky Kmet (high school counselor), 42, Hainesport, New Jersey
  • Stephen Kmet (pharmaceutical sales recruiter), 43, Hainesport
  • Hope Wright (housewife), 35, K'Ville, Georgia
  • Colby Wright (car dealership salesman), 31, K'Ville

Strangers

  • Richard Hatch (television personality), 54, Newport, Rhode Island
  • ErinWillett (singer/songwriter), 26, Brooklyn

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

Follow Rodney Ho on facebookFollow Rodney Ho on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Tracy Morgan (left) stars as Frank "Crutch" Crutchfield and Adrianna Mitchell co-stars as his daughter, Jamilah, in "Crutch," which is streaming on Paramount+. Mitchell grew up around metro Atlanta and graduated from Spelman College before moving to New York City to pursue her acting career. (Courtesy of JoJo Whilden/Paramount+)

Credit: JoJo Whilden/Paramount+

Spelman grad trades jokes with Tracy Morgan on Paramount+ comedy ‘Crutch’

Adrianna Mitchell, who grew up in metro Atlanta and graduated from Spelman College, is a co-star on the new Paramount+ sitcom "Crutch" starring Tracy Morgan.

1h ago

Bryan Adams at age 66: big in India, still big in the US

Bryan Adams, big in the United States since the 1980s, has also become quite beloved in India. And his 'Summer of '69' song remains an '80s staple.

Atlanta’s globetrotting fashion photographers are in high demand

Atlanta photographers Ahmad Barber and Donté Maurice, known as AB+DM, shot Viktor&Rolf for the High Museum’s fashion exhibit and are in high demand globally.

The Latest

ajc.com

What movies made in Georgia have made the most money since 2008?

‘Ride Along’ producer Will Packer promotes ‘healthy arrogance’ in new book

Check out three new reality shows with Atlanta ties

Featured

A person exits the Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Light turnout on Election Day in metro Atlanta

Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the on the ballot for first time since 2020. Atlanta mayor, local government and school board seats are also up for grabs.

2h ago

Porsche, trips and more: Feds say former Hawks finance exec embezzled nearly $4M

The Hawks’ former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis allegedly spent years stealing money from the organization.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.