Casting call for "Losing it With Jillian" show comes to town
| Thursday, Nov 19 2009 04:53 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Nov 19 2009 04:53 PM
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Felix Adamo / The Californian An open casting call was held at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital for an upcoming new show called "Losing it With Jillian" featuring health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels..
Felix Adamo / The Californian Anita Peters, left, is interviewed by casting producer Jodi Thomas, center and Jax Topacio for the new show "Losing it With Jillian." Peters had brought in photos of when she was a cheerleader for the St. Louis Blues of the NHL and was hoping to be picked for the show.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Losing it With Jillian casting producer Jodi Thomas, left, listens to Bakersfield's Pat Black tell her story during herinterview for the new show. In the center is Jax Topacio, also of casting.
More than 40 people showed up at Memorial Hospital Thursday hoping to be cast in a new television show on NBC called "Losing It With Jillian."
The show comes from the producers of "The Biggest Loser," and it follows a similar premise. Jillian Michaels, a fitness trainer on "The Biggest Loser," will move into families' homes to change their lives through fitness.
Jodi Thomas, a casting producer for "Losing It With Jillian," said she was looking for a family who needs help with fitness, health, finances, family harmony and all around well-being.
She wants viewers at home to see the family on TV and think, "That could be my family."
"We're looking for someone who really needs it and really wants it," Thomas said.
Ideally, the family would include two parents and teens, but Thomas said the producers are open to any kind of family. Nobody was picked Thursday; that was just a day for interviews.
Kerina Valdovinos, 33, was one of the people hoping to be cast on the show.
"My family needs help. We don't know how to start, so this is a start," she said.
She said she, her fiance and two sons would be a good pick for the show because they would be a challenge for Michaels.
Twila Aldrich, 42, said she wanted to lose weight because she has been on disability twice from her job, and both times stemmed from weight problems.
She has lost weight before on diet programs, but always gained it back when she stopped using them. She hoped that if Michaels came into her home, the weight loss would stick.
Her sister and father died at young ages due to obesity, and she does not want the same thing to happen to her.
Additionally, her husband, Jeff, has diabetes and also needs to lose weight.
April McCuen, 30, is a fan of "The Biggest Loser" and Jillian Michaels in particular, so she was excited with the idea of Michaels in her home.
She believes she, her husband, and 2-year-old son would be good for the show because they are willing to try anything.
"I'd do anything they ask. I'd give it my all," she said.
For anyone interested in being cast on the show, visit www.castingduo.com/jillianmichaels for information on how to submit an application and video.
