Rulon Gardner's absence from Tuesday night's live eleventh-season The Biggest Loser finale was a decision of his own choosing, according to NBC.
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"Although producers did reach out to him about participating in the finale, they unfortunately did not hear back from Rulon. We wish him the best."
Gardner, a 39-year-old gym owner and motivational speaker from Logan, UT, unexpectedly quit The Biggest Loser's eleventh season for personal reasons he declined to disclose in an episode which aired in late April. Gardner had been considered the favorite to win the season's $250,000 grand prize at the time of his exit.
After the episode aired, NBC had stated it "respected his wishes" and would not elaborate on the circumstances of Gardner's The Biggest Loser departure.
However, the network had confirmed Gardner would not be eligible to participate in the finale's $100,000 weigh-in for previously eliminated contestants given he quit the show and told Reality TV World his attendance at the finale had yet to be determined.
Denise "Deni" Hill, a 59-year-old administrative assistant from Bountiful, UT, won the weigh-in of The Biggest Loser's previously eliminated eleventh-season contestants.
Hill began the competition weighing 256 pounds. She lost a total of 125 pounds and weighed-in at only 131 pounds during the finale, posting a 48.83% weight-loss percentage.
About The Author: Steven Rogers
