The Biggest Loser Adds Jessie Pavelka, Jennifer Widerstrom for Season 16

The two new trainers will replace Jillian Michaels who will not return for the new season

By Chris Harnick Jun 30, 2014 6:39 PMTags
THE BIGGEST LOSER, Jesse Pavelka, Jen WilderstromChris Haston/NBC

The Biggest Loser is adding two new faces, Jessie Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom, for season 16. The two new trainers join returning stars Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince. Alison Sweeney will return as host.

Pavelka, cousin to former The Bachelor star Jake Pavelka, and Widerstrom replace Jillian Michaels. Michaels' exit was announced in June.

"We are excited to welcome Jessie and Jen into The Biggest Loser family, and know they will be valuable players on this life-changing show that continues to inspire millions of people to embrace a healthy lifestyle," Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming at NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "We look forward to viewers meeting them and to revealing more great changes we have in store for the new season."

Pavelka is no stranger to TV. He starred in several shows across the pond and appeared on Lifetime's DietTribe series. Widerstrom is a fomer star of the NBC's American Gladiators and is the lead female trainer for InterContinental Hotel Group's new Even wellness line.

Michaels' exit came after a Biggest Loser scandal. Rachel Fredrickson took home the top honors in season 15 of the series, but shocked viewers—and the trainers—with her drastic weight loss.

"She wasn't happy with how last season went. The shocking weight loss of Rachel [Frederickson] doesn't do the brand any favors and she wants to distance her name from it," a source told E! News about Michaels in April.

The Biggest Loser returns to NBC on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)