NBC announced its latest pack of Biggest Loser contestants today, 16 individuals with "big personalities," who are willing to drop the shame-eating for three Subway meals a day. The eighth season, premiering September 15, will have a second chances theme and use a single-contestant format instead of the team format used in recent seasons. Take a look at the roster after the jump.
NBC offers its heaviest contestant yet up to trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper: Shauntina "Shay" Sorrells, who tips the scales at 476 lbs. Shay was forced into a foster home when her mother fell into heroin dependency, a difficult transition that led her to use calories as a coping mechanism. Of course none of the chosen contestants would have gotten past the first round of casting without a heart-wrenching story, so get ready for another season of heavy string music, teary confessionals and personal triumphs.
Behold, the roster:
Sean Algaier, 29, a youth pastor from Tulsa, OK
Amanda Arlauskas, 19, a patient care technician from Butler, NJ
Danny Cahill, 39, a land surveyor and musician from Broken Arrow, OK
Mozziz "Mo" Dewalt, 56, a youth mentor from Louisville, KY
Antoine Dove, 23, a health insurance agent from Dudley, NC
Julio Gomez, 40, a mortgage loan officer from Algonquin, IL
Dina Mercado, 28, a custodian from Commerce, CA
Rebecca Meyer, 25, a student/nanny from Des Moines, IA
Rudy Pauls, 31, an engineer from Brooklyn, CT
Abby Rike, 35, a teacher from Mabank, TX
Allen Smith, 44, a firefighter/EMT from Columbus, IN
Shauntina "Shay" Sorrells, 30, a social worker from Newport Beach, CA
Alexandra White, 20, a student from Harrisburg, PA
Daniel Wright, 20, a student from Willow Spring, NC
Liz Young, 49, a salesperson from Lewisburg, TN
Tracey Yukich, 37-a homemaker from Allen, TX
The contestants, totaling over 5,300 pounds, include last season's Daniel Wright who is back to "finish what [he] started," and Amanda Arlauskas, who was voted in by America during last season's live finale. The winner this time around will take home $250,000.