Jillian Michaels Gets Her Wish – Ali Vincent First Female Biggest Loser

By Amy Teeple

Published on April 18, 2008

Trainer Jillian Michaels has waited five seasons to for a woman to win The Biggest Loser. This season, she got her wish. Ali Vincent, a 32-year-old hairdresser from Mesa, Arizona, beat the boys - and the odds - and won $250,000 and the title of "Biggest Loser."

During the season finale of the show, Ali competed against ex-football player Roger Schultz and cardiac nurse Kelly Fields. Kelly lost 109 pounds, which was 40.22 percent of her starting weight of 271 pounds, but was overshadowed by Roger's 164-pound weight loss (45.18 percent of his 363-pound starting weight). Although Ali lost less overall weight than Roger, her 112-pound weight loss gave her a higher overall percentage of weight loss, which determines the winner. Ali's 47.86 percent loss took her from 234 pounds to 112 pounds.

Ali's Drive to be the Biggest Loser

Season five of The Biggest Loser featured couples, including spouses, friends, and family members. Ali and her mom, Bette-Sue Burkland, were the pink team and were voted off by other contestants in the fourth week. Shocked by her elimination, Ali still vowed to be the biggest loser. She became determined to continue her weight loss journey at home and hoped to win the $100,000 prize for contestants who had been sent home.

Second Chance to Win

In a new twist this season, all previously voted-off contestants returned in week 10 and were given a chance to weigh in. The female and male contestants with the greatest percentage of weight loss since the beginning of the show returned to compete in the remainder of the show. Having lost over 30 pounds on her own, Ali was able to return.

The Fight for Quick, but Healthy, Weight Loss

Once Ali returned to the show, she worked closely with Jillian, the black team trainer, to take the weight off. Ali worked out for eight to ten hours a day. Each week she avoided elimination by remaining above the yellow line (a marker that determined which contestant was vulnerable to being voted off of the show). When she returned home for the six weeks before the finale, Ali continued to work hard on her own.

A Message for Women Struggling with Weight Issues

Both Ali and Jillian have stated that they hope Ali's victory shows women who are battling to lose weight that they can do "the impossible." Ali also acknowledged her belief that beauty comes from feeling strong and confident and hopes that other women can find inspiration in her victory.