When you've lost over half your body weight, you start approaching that dangerous line at which you stop being inspirational and everyone starts criticizing you for being too skinny. After 48 year old Helen Philips rolled up to the final weigh in at the Biggest Loser finale looking like a sliver of her former self, we knew the backlash wasn't far off. Sure enough, runner-up Tara Costa has some thoughts on Helen's finale appearance...
TVGuide.com: You were the front-runner all season. Are you disappointed about losing?
Tara Costa: Standing on that scale last night, I knew that I did the best that I could. That's why today, I feel so great. I went to the extent that my body would go; I didn't want to look emaciated and unhealthy just to win a prize. I'm 5'9", I have bigger bones, I have a ton of muscle on me. That's just my genetic build and that's okay.
TVGuide.com: Were you shocked by Helen's transformation?
Costa: I think Helen is definitely extremely skinny. I know that where I am right now is a healthy place for me, and I'll be able to [maintain]. (TV Guide)
Okay, we have a couple of thoughts on this: We admit that Helen did look a little gaunt at the finale, but we also think Tara's "I didn't want to look emaciated for $250,000" is bullshit. If Tara had lost four more pounds, she would've beat Helen and taken home the money -- that's a pretty big deal for a girl in her early twenties who just got a new lease on her life and still lives at home with her mom. Not to get judge-y about this because obviously Tara had to do what was right for her, but if it was us in the running for a quarter of a million dollars, we would've done just what Helen did -- hire a couple of trainers and lose all the weight you can possibly lose in order to win. You can always gain back whatever you want afterwards to achieve an easily-maintable weight. Granted, we were rooting for Mike, but in the wake of Tara's criticisms we have a newfound respect for her efforts. Go ahead, girl...
Previously:
The Biggest Loser: Is It Wrong To Be Disappointed?
The Biggest Loser Finale Airs Tonight!
The Biggest Loser Isn't a Show, It's a Lifestyle
“Biggest Loser” Star Shannon Thomas Allegedly Assaults A Man With Flour
“Momma’s Boys” Loses Even More Than “The Biggest Loser”
Number of Times We Teared Up During “Biggest Loser Families”: 7