counting calories, cutting carbs, high protein, low-fat or no-fat…what’s the latest diet trend? When it comes down to it, celebrities are just like the rest of us in terms of struggling with their weight as the demands of Hollywood to stay thin and fit often go hand-in-hand with the longevity of one’s career. After all, when was the last time you saw a plus-sized actor grace the cover of People magazine as the Sexiest Man or Woman of the year?
While guys like John Candy, John Belushi and Chris Farley all proved to be the exception to the rule in the world of comedy, there’s still a high standard for celebrities to be wafer thin. In fact, actresses and artists like Melissa McCarthy, Adele, Queen Latifah and even Katie Perry are all criticized for being a little too curvy and voluptuous. And, if any celeb packs on a few pounds, you can bet they’re sure to hear about from the media!
So which celebrities have struggled the most with their weight over the years and which ones have seen complete transformations? From lifestyle changes like dieting and exercise to going under the knife, we uncovered 50 shocking celebrity weight losses that are sure to drop your jaw!
Who made our list, how much weight did they lose and did they gain it back? Also whether you’re looking to lose 10 pounds, 100 pounds or just want some fitness tips to keep you going there’ll be plenty of celebrity advice and encouragement. Let’s take a look at these celebs and their journey to fitness!
#50 – Ruben Studdard
“And the next American Idol is…” A huge success when it debuted in 2002, American Idol’s second season proved to be an even bigger hit when Clay Aiken and the larger-than-life Ruben Studdard battled it out in the season finale. Studdard won the title and went on to earn a Grammy Award nomination the same year before releasing his first studio album, Soulful. Since then, the 37-year-old gospel, pop and R&B singer has released six studio albums featuring hits like “Flying Without Wings” and “Change Me.”
A large man on American Idol, it wasn’t until Studdard was cast on The Biggest Loser in 2013 that the world learned just how large he was. Standing at 6’3” tall and weighing 462 pounds, Studdard dedicated himself to getting healthy and pulled off an impressive 119 pounds to bring his weight down to a more manageable 343 pounds. While it doesn’t appear that the soulful singer has done anything else to shed the weight, he’s still an Idol favorite with an incredible set of pipes!
Ruben’s fitness tip: No matter how busy life is you need to take care of yourself.
#49 – Raven Symone
That’s so Raven! Launching her acting career at only four years old on The Cosby Show, Raven Symone appeared in several television series throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before taking her talents to the stage as a singer. Catching the eye of the Disney Channel in 2003, Symone was given her own series—That’s So Raven—where she became a teen idol while continuing to pursue her music career. Still singing today, Symone stays busy balancing her work as one of the hosts on The View and with a recurring role on the primetime drama Empire.
Between wrapping up That’s So Raven and transitioning to the silver screen, Symone put on a noticeable amount of weight as she appeared in films like Dr. Dolittle, Cheetah Girls and Revenge of the Bridesmaids. Facing her weight issues head on, Symone lost 70 pounds and told the world, “I lost weight to keep people from talking about me. I got tired and irritated.” Maintaining a healthy weight after nearly five years, it’s safe to say that the 30-year-old’s busy schedule gives her an added boost of cardio throughout those long days of filming!
Raven’s fitness tip: Learn how to cook and don’t feel you need to always finish your plate
#48 – Angie Stone
First making a name for herself in the music industry in the 1970s and 1980s as a member of the hip hop group The Sequence, Angie Stone has spent the last three decades working with some of the biggest names in music like Lenny Kravitz. Stone released her first solo album—Black Diamond—in 1999 and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards thanks to successful singles like “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” that have topped the R&B charts.
Still making music at 54 years old, Stone first tried to lose weight in 2006 when she joined VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club but didn’t have a strong performance after losing just under 20 pounds. Nearly a decade later, the singer-songwriter and actress had quite the wakeup call when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was inspired to take action. Losing over 75 pounds in the last few years, Stone not only looks younger, she’s also healthier than ever before after learning to successfully manage her diabetes and her weight.
Angie’s fitness tip: Challenge yourself
#47 – Christian Bale
“I am the Batman.” Hailing from England and relocating to Los Angeles with his father as a teen, Christian Bale has proven throughout his career that he is one of the most versatile actors in the industry. Cast at only 13 years old in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, Bale has spent the last three decades playing everything from a psychopathic murdering yuppie in New York City to the Caped Crusader himself. And, as a result of his dedication to his characters, the 42-year-old has put his body through some dramatic changes as well.
Considered a sex symbol for his scorching intensity, Bale bulked up his six-foot frame to about 190 pounds of muscle in 2002 for Reign of Fire only to drop 70 pounds for his role in the 2004 psychological thriller The Machinist. Putting the muscle back on for Batman Begins the following year, Bale’s weight has fluctuated over the last decade with his most recent change occurring in 2013 when he turned to cheeseburgers to gain nearly 50 pounds for American Hustle. Having already lost the weight, stay tuned because it won’t be long before Bale prepares his body for his next big role!
Christian’s fitness tip: Drink black coffee and eat salads
#46 – Lauren Alaina
The second American Idol contestant on our list is Georgia native Lauren Alaina who appeared on the tenth season of the popular talent show in 2011. Ending the season with a second place finish and later releasing her debut album Wildflower, the 21-year-old singer and songwriter has churned out several singles over the last five years including “Like My Mother Does,” “Barefoot and Buckwild” and “Next Boyfriend” that have reached the top 40 on the United States Country Charts.
The young songstress went through a noticeable transformation after her debut on Idol when she dropped 25 pounds and walked the red carpet looking sassier than ever. Alaina said, “Changing my diet was the big thing. I had to learn portion control.” Managing to keep the weight off and losing another 15 pounds in the years since Idol, Alaina credits her low carb diet that’s high in protein for her weight loss while hitting the gym and doing “lots of squats” to keep both her core and legs toned.
Lauren’s fitness tip: Go for high protein, low carb and control your portions
#45 – Ronnie Ortiz
Who could ever forget MTV’s popular reality series Jersey Shore? New York native Ronnie Ortiz worked in real estate with his father before joining the reality television circuit in 2009 as one of the main cast members on Jersey Shore. Quickly building his reputation as a buff guy who wasn’t afraid to fight anyone, Ortiz wrapped up the series after six seasons in 2012 only to surprise the world a year later when he revealed his weight gain as a result of kidney stones.
Once sporting six-pack abs, Ortiz didn’t look anything like the bodybuilder from Jersey Shore but it didn’t take long for him to get back in shape. Showing just four weeks of progress after hitting the gym religiously, Ortiz admitted that it took working out five to six times a week doing both weights and cardio to burn the fat and build muscle. Still keeping the weight off today, Ortiz says his diet is simple: “If it tastes good, don’t eat it.”
Ronnie’s fitness tip: “If it tastes good, don’t eat it.”
#44 – Oprah Winfrey
Just call her the “Queen of All Media.” One of the biggest success stories in America today, Oprah Winfrey defied the odds when she overcame an abusive and impoverished childhood in rural Mississippi and found fame in front of the camera. Moving from radio to co-anchoring the local news in Tennessee, Winfrey was eventually given her own syndicated talk show in Chicago in 1986. Spending the next 25 years redefining daytime television, Winfrey built her legacy and an impressive $3 billion net worth.
Not shy about sharing her weight issues as well as her love of carbs (especially bread), Winfrey was at her largest in the early 1990s when she weighed 237 pounds. She made headlines in the early 2000s when she dropped to 160 pounds but the diet was fleeting. Now 62 years old and admitting that she let her weight creep back up to 200+ pounds, Winfrey happily revealed in April 2016 that she has lost nearly 30 pounds on Weight Watchers while enjoying her favorite foods “every, single day!”
Oprah’s fitness tip: Eat fish
#43 – Raven Symone
That’s so Raven!
Launching her acting career at only four years old on The Cosby Show, Raven Symone appeared in several television series throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before taking her talents to the stage as a singer. Catching the eye of the Disney Channel in 2003, Symone was given her own series—That’s So Raven—where she became a teen idol while continuing to pursue her music career.
Still singing today, Symone stays busy balancing her work as one of the hosts on The View and with a recurring role on the primetime drama Empire.
Between wrapping up That’s So Raven and transitioning to the silver screen, Symone put on a noticeable amount of weight as she appeared in films like Dr. Dolittle, Cheetah Girls and Revenge of the Bridesmaids. Facing her weight issues head on, Symone lost 70 pounds and told the world, “I lost weight to keep people from talking about me. I got tired and irritated.” Maintaining a healthy weight after nearly five years, it’s safe to say that the 30-year-old’s busy schedule gives her an added boost of cardio throughout those long days of filming!
Raven’s fitness tip: Learn how to cook and don’t feel you need to always finish your plate
#42 – Christian Bale
“I am the Batman.” Hailing from England and relocating to Los Angeles with his father as a teen, Christian Bale has proven throughout his career that he is one of the most versatile actors in the industry.
Cast at only 13 years old in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, Bale has spent the last three decades playing everything from a psychopathic murdering yuppie in New York City to the Caped Crusader himself. And, as a result of his dedication to his characters, the 42-year-old has put his body through some dramatic changes as well.
Considered a sex symbol for his scorching intensity, Bale bulked up his six-foot frame to about 190 pounds of muscle in 2002 for Reign of Fire only to drop 70 pounds for his role in the 2004 psychological thriller The Machinist. Putting the muscle back on for Batman Begins the following year, Bale’s weight has fluctuated over the last decade with his most recent change occurring in 2013 when he turned to cheeseburgers to gain nearly 50 pounds for American Hustle. Having already lost the weight, stay tuned because it won’t be long before Bale prepares his body for his next big role!
Christian’s fitness tip: Drink black coffee and eat salads
#41 – Lauren Alaina
Ending the season with a second place finish and later releasing her debut album Wildflower, the 21-year-old singer and songwriter has churned out several singles over the last five years including “Like My Mother Does,” “Barefoot and Buckwild” and “Next Boyfriend” that have reached the top 40 on the United States Country Charts.
The young songstress went through a noticeable transformation after her debut on Idol when she dropped 25 pounds and walked the red carpet looking sassier than ever. Alaina said, “Changing my diet was the big thing. I had to learn portion control.” Managing to keep the weight off and losing another 15 pounds in the years since Idol, Alaina credits her low carb diet that’s high in protein for her weight loss while hitting the gym and doing “lots of squats” to keep both her core and legs toned.
Lauren’s fitness tip: Go for high protein, low carb and control your portions.
#40 – Ronnie Ortiz
New York native Ronnie Ortiz worked in real estate with his father before joining the reality television circuit in 2009 as one of the main cast members on Jersey Shore. Quickly building his reputation as a buff guy who wasn’t afraid to fight anyone, Ortiz wrapped up the series after six seasons in 2012 only to surprise the world a year later when he revealed his weight gain as a result of kidney stones.
Once sporting six-pack abs, Ortiz didn’t look anything like the bodybuilder from Jersey Shore but it didn’t take long for him to get back in shape. Showing just four weeks of progress after hitting the gym religiously, Ortiz admitted that it took working out five to six times a week doing both weights and cardio to burn the fat and build muscle. Still keeping the weight off today, Ortiz says his diet is simple: “If it tastes good, don’t eat it.”
Ronnie’s fitness tip: “If it tastes good, don’t eat it.”
#39 – Oprah Winfrey
Moving from radio to co-anchoring the local news in Tennessee, Winfrey was eventually given her own syndicated talk show in Chicago in 1986. Spending the next 25 years redefining daytime television, Winfrey built her legacy and an impressive $3 billion net worth.
Not shy about sharing her weight issues as well as her love of carbs (especially bread), Winfrey was at her largest in the early 1990s when she weighed 237 pounds.
She made headlines in the early 2000s when she dropped to 160 pounds but the diet was fleeting. Now 62 years old and admitting that she let her weight creep back up to 200+ pounds, Winfrey happily revealed in April 2016 that she has lost nearly 30 pounds on Weight Watchers while enjoying her favorite foods “every, single day!”
Oprah’s fitness tip: Eat fish!
#38 – Seth Rogen
Landing a similar role in Undeclared and befriending the award-winning Judd Apatow, Rogen was cast in The 40-Year-Old Virgin and immediately became a star. Now known as one of the funniest men in Hollywood in addition to his talents as a writer and filmmaker, Rogen’s credits include hits like Superbad, Knocked Up and Pineapple Express.
Averaging around 220 pounds, Rogen went on a strict diet after casting himself as the main character in The Green Hornet and dropped to 190 pounds in just over two months in 2010. Though the film was a box office flop, Rogen’s weight loss turned heads but it wasn’t enough to inspire the 34-year-old to keep the weight off. Now hovering around 200 pounds and leaving the world of superheroes and action flicks behind, Rogen is fighting a losing battle as a notorious stoner who always has the munchies.
Seth’s Fitness Tip: Find someone to be accountable to and set incremental goals
#37 – Carrie Fisher
Reprising her role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, Fisher has continued her work on the silver screen over the last four decades but has taken a special interest in writing with the release of her semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge and one-woman play, Wishful Drinking.After wrapping up the original Star Wars trilogy in 1983, Fisher struggled with her weight, bipolar disorder and drug addiction throughout much of her adult life.
By the time she was invited to reprise her role in The Force Awakens, the 59-year-old Fisher was ready to drop the weight and did exactly that by losing 40 pounds. Though many argue that she was forced by producers, Fisher said that she asked the Star Wars crew to encourage her to prepare for her comeback in the biggest film of the year.Carrie’s Fitness Tip: Get help if you need it, you’re not in this alone!
#36 – Adam Richman
If you’re looking to tackle some of the biggest restaurant food challenges in the world, Adam Richman is definitely your guy.
Born and raised in New York, Richman made guest appearances on shows like Guiding Light, All My Children and Joan of Arcadia before turning his love of food and competitive eating into a money-making machine with his own show on the Travel Channel called Man V. Food. With the series running from 2008 to 2012, Richman naturally gained a considerable amount of weight and suffered from depression.
Officially retiring from competitive eating in 2012 to focus on his health, Richman not only lost all the weight he gained on Man V. Food, he shredded another 10 pounds on top of that! The food expert and soccer enthusiast adopted the same training regimen and vegan diet as professional soccer players and lost 70 pounds in only 10 months. Finally satisfied with his weight and admitting he now has more room on airplanes, Richman is back on the soccer field and in front of the camera with more energy than ever before.
Adam’s Fitness Tip: Enjoy food! But don’t eat too much too often!
#35 – Kevin Liles
Another mainstay in the hip hop and R&B industries, Kevin Liles has been behind the scenes on the production side of things for much of his 30-year career.
First starting out as a rapper in the late 1980s, Liles gained famed when he co-wrote Milli Vanilli’s first hit song “Girl You Know It’s True.” He was named president of Def Jam Recordings in 1999 and served as executive vice president of Warner Music Group before stepping down from the position to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams in 2009.
Much like Reuben Studdard in terms of his larger-than-life size and personality, Liles turned heads in 2007 when he arrived on the red carpet almost completely unrecognizable. Unable to lose the weight on his own and turning to surgery for help, the 48-year-old Liles has managed to keep the weight off for nearly a decade now and looks thinner than ever with a clean bill of health and a newly discovered confidence that has boosted his sex appeal!
#34 – Dr. Dre
Speaking of rap industry entrepreneurs… Born as Andre Romelle Young in California, Dr.
Dre was one of the founding members of the influential group N.W.A. alongside big names like Ice Cube and Eazy-E who popularized gangster rap and the use of explicit and violent lyrics in early 1990s. Though Dre still raps from time to time, he is better known as the CEO and founder of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics in addition to producing records for rappers like 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.
Now worth over $600 million and looking far different than he did a decade ago, the 51-year-old Dre spent much of the early 2000s in the recording studio and allowed himself to get up to 270 pounds before deciding to make a change in 2003. Adopting a healthier lifestyle and putting in time at the gym every day, Dre is now a gym rat who enjoys a grueling routine that has given him the health of a 30-year-old and put him in the best shape of his life.
#33 – Zach Galifianakis
Joining Seth Rogen as another one of Hollywood’s favorite bearded and chubby funny men, Zach Galifianakis started his career as a stand-up comedian on Comedy Central in 2001 before making it big in film.
After landing his first major role in The Hangover, Galifianakis has seen ongoing success as an actor and writer with hit comedies like Due Date and The Campaign as well as dramas like Birdman and the Emmy Award-winning talk show Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.Surprising the world in 2014 when he arrived on the red carpet looking slim and sexy, the 46-year-old Galifianakis has managed to drop even more weight since then. Now down 60 pounds after giving up drinking and exercising more, Galifianakis said he much prefers to drink vodka and eat sausage but his health says otherwise. In February 2016, the North Carolina native confirmed that he continues to maintain his new lifestyle and has no plans on returning to his chubbier days.
#32 – Christina Aguilera
Aguilera rose to prominence in 1998 after singing the theme song for Mulan and has since become one of the biggest pop stars in the world known for smash hits and collaborations including “Genie in a Bottle,” “What a Girl Wants, “Come on Over Baby” and “Lady Marmalade.”
Incredibly thin when she first took the spotlight at 18 years old, Aguilera has gone through some dramatic weight fluctuations over the past decade.
After giving birth to her first child in 2008, the soulful songbird snapped back to her former weight quickly but the same couldn’t be said after she welcomed her second child in 2014 and was estimated to weigh nearly 200 pounds. Taking time off from The Voice, Aguilera came back in a huge way when she dropped the weight and reclaimed her seat and sex appeal.
#31 – Jerry Ferrara
Ferrara was part of the cast for its nearly 100-episode run and earned several award nominations along the way that led the 36-year-old to reprise his role for the Entourage film in 2015. Instead of the cameras adding 10 pounds, however, Ferrara debuted on the silver screen looking much slimmer than before.
Arriving at the premiere 50 pounds thinner than his HBO days, Ferrara admitted that his weight loss was prompted by a health scare during a routine physical. Weighing in at 200 pounds at only 5’7” tall, his doctor gave him a wakeup call about his health and inspired him to shed 50 pounds. It took Ferrara about a year to lose the weight but he’s managed to keep it off thanks to his new commitment to health and wellness.
#30 – Wendy Williams
When it comes to “shock jockette” Wendy Williams, nothing should surprise you!
Though better recognized today for her syndicated talk show The Wendy Williams Show, Williams was once a radio host whose reputation for having on-air arguments with celebrities long preceded her. Having since calmed down her style and settled into the niche of daytime television, the 51-year-old Williams is surprisingly worth an estimated $60 million thanks to her show, numerous books and apparel line on QVC.
Appearing noticeably thinner over the last couple of years, Williams confirmed in late 2015 that she dropped 50 pounds after hitting the gym every day for cardio and avoiding junk food. Using her show as a platform to promote her healthier lifestyle, the New Jersey native told her audience that she’s finally learned self-control and admitted, “I don’t love food as much as I used to.”
#29 – Chris Pratt
Taking the second spot on People magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive list in 2014, Chris Pratt is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood after a seemingly slow start to his career.
First appearing in Everwood and Wanted, Pratt caught his major break in 2009 when he was cast as Andy Dwyer on the sitcom Parks and Recreation. Since then, he has transformed from a supporting actor to a leading star in blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic Park.
Trying out for the part of Scott Hatteberg in the 2011 film Moneyball but told he was too heavy after weighing in at 280 pounds, Pratt was determined to win the role and headed straight for the gym. A self-proclaimed former couch potato, Pratt dropped 30 pounds and sent the casting director a photo and was immediately given the part—but he wasn’t done there. Building muscle and putting on 20 pounds of healthy weight, Pratt has finally completed his physical transformation into the Hollywood hunk we know and love today.
#28 – Tom Arnold
Marrying Roseanne Barr in 1990 and becoming the other half of the most annoying couple in Hollywood, Tom Arnold was 23 years old when he launched his career in stand-up comedy.
Catching Barr’s attention in the 1980s, Arnold was brought on as a writer for Roseanne and later wrote himself into the series before debuting in his own sitcom, The Jackie Thomas Show. Since then, he’s appeared in dozens of films and television series in addition to hosting The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.
Extremely vocal about his former drug and alcohol addiction, Arnold also claims that he was addicted to food before 2014 when he reappeared in front of cameras 100 pounds lighter. Inspired to get his health on track after the birth of his son Jax, the 57-year-old became a fanatic about tracking calories, cutting carbs and portion control. Heading to the gym for cardio at least six times a week, Arnold continues the routine today and credits much of his success to his wife who helps by preparing meals and encouraging him along the way.
#27 – Ricky Gervais
Dreaming of a career as a pop star in the 1980s, things didn’t exactly work out as planned for Ricky Gervais whose failure as a singer led him straight to the realm of comedy where he luckily found his niche as a funny Brit.
Given his own talk show in 2000, Gervais achieved even greater fame on the BBC the following year when his television series—The Office—debuted. Inspiring an American spinoff, Gervais eventually became a household name in the States and has starred in films like Extras, Muppets Most Wanted and The Invention of Lying in addition to hosting the Golden Globe Awards.
Invited to host his second Golden Globes in 2011 and tired of being a “fat, lazy and out of shape slob,” Gervais and his girlfriend both set out to lose weight and exchanged their late night snacks for running. With the effects obviously showing, Gervais lost around 40 pounds and is working to keep the weight off with part of his inspiration coming from looking at old photos of himself in what he refers to as his former life as an “overweight slob.”
#26 – Abby Lee Miller
Founder of the Abby Lee Dance Company and owner of Reign Dance Productions, Abby Lee Miller followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a dance instructor when she was only 14 years old. Taking over her mother’s company—the Maryen Lorrain Dance Studio—and later rebranding as Reign Dance, Miller expanded the business and caught the attention of the Lifetime network who cast her on the reality show Dance Moms in 2011.
Eventually given three spinoff series, Miller is now one of the biggest names in dance after opening a new studio in Los Angeles last year.
Despite working in a high energy field like dance, the 50-year-old Miller found herself putting on extra weight as a result of excessive stress. In 2015, however, everything changed when Miller dropped from a size 24 to a size 16 after her mother was hospitalized. Turned off by food and later diagnosed as a diabetic, Miller is managing her weight and diabetes these days while enjoying the perks of filming the latest season of Dance Moms at her brand new Los Angeles studio.
#25 – Chaka Khan
Enjoying an impressive career spanning over four decades, Khan has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and taken home 10 Grammy Awards as a member of the famed funk band Rufus and as a solo performer. Now at 63 years old and still performing, Khan even took the dancefloor in 2015 on season 21 of Dancing with the Stars.
A force to be reckoned with when it comes to funk and soul music, the already-curvy Khan continued to pile on the weight and reached her heaviest in 2014. Frustrated with herself and her looks, Khan went on a vegan diet, joined the gym and lost 60 pounds while getting her high blood pressure and diabetes under control. Now back to wearing her iconic sequins and spandex, Khan’s weight loss was a huge help on Dancing with the Stars even though she was eliminated in the first round of competition.
#24 – Kim Kardashian
It wouldn’t be a true celebrity list without a Kardashian, now would it?
Making headlines in 2007 after a sex tape scandal and the debut of the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian has become famous simply for being famous. Now reported as the highest paid reality television star bringing in over $53 million a year, Kardashian is not only the wife of Kanye West but is also a fashion icon and one of the most followed people on social media today.
Rising to fame in 2007 alongside the rest of her family, Kardashian claimed that she was at her thinnest and weighed in at 120 pounds. However, when she became pregnant with her second child in 2015, the 35-year-old socialite packed on the weight and gained nearly 60 pounds tipping the scale at a shocking 200. Since giving birth to her son Saint in December 2015, Kardashian has been shedding the baby weight like crazy and is happily back down to around 130 pounds once again.
#23 – Alec Baldwin
The oldest and most famous of Hollywood’s four Baldwin brothers, Alec Baldwin began his acting career on Knots Landing in 1984 before a successful stint on Broadway.
Returning to television and film, Baldwin has appeared in dozens of critically acclaimed hits like Beetlejuice, The Departed and The Aviator while also starring in the comedy series 30 Rock and becoming a staple on Saturday Night Live. Still busy at 58 years old, Baldwin has plenty of projects coming up including Blind, Back in the Day and Boss Baby.
During a routine checkup with his doctor in 2011, the Golden Globe winner learned that he was pre-diabetic and immediately took his doctor’s advice to make a change. Giving up sugar completely and enrolling in both a Pilates and spin class, Baldwin quickly dropped 40 pounds and regained control of his health. Continuing to live on a low carb and sugar-free diet while exercising regularly, Baldwin has maintained his weight over the last five years while enjoying the benefits of better health.
#22 – Chaz Bono
Born as Chastity Bono and the daughter of widely successful and popular entertainers Sonny and Cher, Chaz Bono revealed in 1995 that, after years of living and identifying as a lesbian, he was a transgender man.
Officially changing his name to Chaz in 2008 after undergoing a physical gender transition, Bono is yet another celebrity on our list who joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars and saw the benefits firsthand of what the dancefloor can do for weight loss.
Thanks to the show, Bono dropped 85 pounds in 2011 and showcased his new body on Extra where he said the secrets to maintaining good health was a diet made primarily of meat, fruit, nuts and vegetables. Giving up stress eating and junk food altogether, Bono said, “My birthday is the one day of the year when I’ll do cake.” Eventually opting for plastic surgery to remove the excess skin around his torso and under his arms as a result of the weight loss, the 47-year-old is finally happy with who he is.
#21 – Queen Latifah
Growing up in New Jersey as Dana Owens, Queen Latifah landed her first record deal in 1989 with Tommy Boy Records and released her debut album—All Hail the Queen—shortly after.
Quickly proving her talents both in front of the microphone and the cameras, Latifah landed a leading role on Living Single from 1993 to 1998. Since then, the 46-year-old singer-songwriter, rapper, actress and producer has released multiple albums and given award-winning performances in films like Chicago, Bringing Down the House and Hairspray.
Known to embrace her curvy figure and empower women of all shapes and sizes, Latifah decided to set a better example for her female fans by shedding some weight. Turning to Jenny Craig for help (and later becoming a spokesperson), Latifah hired a personal trainer and soon turned heads on the red carpet looking noticeably different after losing 30 pounds. Though she admits her struggle with keeping the weight off over the years, Latifah says that she loves her curves even more today.
#20 – Kirstie Alley
Much like the Kardashians are on every celebrity list imaginable, Kirstie Alley is included in nearly every list involving celebrity weight loss.
First working as an interior designer before making her film debut in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982, Alley became a household name after she joined the cast of Cheers as Rebecca Howe from 1987 to 1993. Taking home an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance, Alley also gained critical acclaim for films like Shoot to Kill and Look Who’s Talking.
Briefly disappearing from the limelight, the Kansas native reappeared looking much heavier than ever before only to drop the weight and debut her new figure on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Finally admitting that she recognized a change in her metabolism after menopause in the early 1990s, Alley gained all of her weight back (and then some) in 15 months before tipping the scale at 228 pounds. Now 65 years old and continuing to fluctuate in weight, Alley is back to showing off her slimmer figure after losing 50 pounds on Jenny Craig.
#19 – Randy Jackson
Returning to American Idol for the next celebrity on our list brings us to judge Randy Jackson.
First working as a backup musician in his early career for the rock band Journey, Jackson discovered his talent as a producer and began touring with some of the biggest acts in music like Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, George Michael and Bruce Springsteen. Eventually settling down off the road and taking his seat as one of the original judges on American Idol in 2002, Jackson looked remarkably different by the second season.
Accustomed to life on the road and eating poorly, Jackson decided to change his life completely in 2003 after weighing in at a whopping 350 pounds. Opting for gastric bypass surgery two years after being diagnosed with diabetes, the 59-year-old Jackson lost a large amount of weight in a short amount of time when he returned to American Idol weighing 220 pounds. Leaving the show in 2014, Jackson’s weight has continued to fluctuate but he hasn’t seen 350 on the scale in quite some time.
#18 – Mariah Carey
Speaking of Randy Jackson, one of his most successful collaborations was with 47-year-old Mariah Carey.
Joining the ranks as one of the best-selling female artists of the new millennium, Carey released her first single—“Vision of Love”—in 1990 and saw her debut album fly off the shelves. Following up the hit with another four chart-topping singles, Carey has spent the last 28 years enjoying ongoing success with 18 chart-topping hits like “One Sweet Day” and “We Belong Together.”
After marrying Nick Cannon in 2008, Carey gave birth to twins in 2011 and was welcomed to motherhood with two precious babies and 70 pounds of baby weight that made her barely recognizable. Luckily, within a few months of giving birth, Carey dropped 45 pounds and has continued to shed the weight thanks to diet and exercise. Even after separating from Cannon in 2014 and packing on a few more pounds, Carey is still rocking a killer bod as she films her E! Network documentary series Mariah’s World which is set to premiere in June 2016!
#17 – Kelly Osbourne
It wasn’t until 2002 with the debut of The Osbournes when the world finally got to meet Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of rock icon and the Godfather of Heavy Metal himself—Ozzy Osbourne.
Following the mumbling singer and his strange profanity-loving family around, audiences were shocked by the foul-mouthed Kelly who received much unwanted attention because of her weight. Everything changed in 2009, however, when the wild-haired British fashion designer was added to the roster of Dancing with the Stars.
Taking third place on the competition and losing the mirror-ball trophy to Donny Osmond, Osbourne had an even bigger victory when she dropped a whopping 50 pounds over the course of the show. Spending nearly 10 weeks training and dancing with her professional partner Louis Van Amstel, Osbourne cut out junk food completely and looked like an entirely different person by the finale in November. The 31-year-old Brit has maintained her sexy new look by eating healthy and staying active with a few spins on the dancefloor every now and again.
#16 – Jennifer Hudson
Drawing comparisons to a young Aretha Franklin on the third season of American Idol in 2004, Jennifer Hudson didn’t let coming in seventh place on the show stop her from reaching for the stars.
Getting her first taste of real fame in 2006, Hudson made her film debut in Dreamgirls and was met with critical acclaim after taking home an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance. Two years later, she was at it again when she released her self-titled debut album that earned her a Grammy Award and featured hits like “Spotlight.”
Faced with tragedy in 2008 when her mother, brother and nephew were killed in a shooting, Hudson stepped out of the spotlight for three months and returned with a new perspective on her life and career. The Chicago native became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers in 2010 and dropped 80 pounds over the next four years. Now 34 years old and looking hotter than ever, Hudson admits that she loves chocolate but hates to exercise so she focuses more on counting calories and portion control. Whatever works!
#15 – Star Jones
Known for her quick wit and humor on The View, Star Jones worked in New York as a prosecutor before making her way to television as a correspondent on Today and NBC Nightly News.
From there, she joined Inside Edition and led the coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial before joining The View as one of the original co-hosts in 1997. It was during her nine-season run on the talk show that audiences took note of Jones’ changing body.
Diagnosed as morbidly obese and tipping the scale at over 300 pounds, the former New York attorney lost more than 160 pounds over the course of three years and initially denied all accusations of having gastric bypass surgery.
Claiming that she relied on diet and exercise to drop the weight, Jones eventually admitted the truth after leaving The View in 2006 when she told Glamour magazine that she had the surgery after concerns over her health and body image. Looking hotter than ever thanks to continued diet and exercise, the 54-year-old Jones has taken her talents to the catwalk as a fashion designer.
#14 – Angie Stone
First making a name for herself in the music industry in the 1970s and 1980s as a member of the hip hop group The Sequence, Angie Stone has spent the last three decades working with some of the biggest names in music like Lenny Kravitz.
Stone released her first solo album—Black Diamond—in 1999 and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards thanks to successful singles like “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” that have topped the R&B charts.
Still making music at 54 years old, Stone first tried to lose weight in 2006 when she joined VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club but didn’t have a strong performance after losing just under 20 pounds.
Nearly a decade later, the singer-songwriter and actress had quite the wakeup call when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was inspired to take action. Losing over 75 pounds in the last few years, Stone not only looks younger, she’s also healthier than ever before after learning to successfully manage her diabetes and her weight.
Angie’s fitness tip: Challenge yourself!
#13 – Shonda Rhimes
“The woman who runs the show!” Undeniably one of the biggest names in primetime television today, Shonda Rhimes is behind some of the most successful series including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal.
Growing up in Chicago and eventually making her way to Hollywood in the late 1990s, Rhimes worked on films like Crossroads and The Princess Diaries before becoming a household name in 2005 as the creator, executive producer and head writer of Grey’s Anatomy.
Continuing to work on Grey’s and as the executive producer for How to Get Away with Murder and The Catch, Rhimes decided to make a huge lifestyle change in 2014 after reaching her largest weight left her unable to buckle her seatbelt. Rhimes went on an extreme weight loss journey and, after just over a year, the 46-year-old producer and writer revealed that she lost a total of 127 pounds! Obviously now able to buckle her seatbelt on the plane, we’re certainly thrilled Rhimes is healthy and happy once again!
#12 – Jill Scott
Pennsylvania’s Jill Scott started her career as a spoken word poet and writer for other artists before she found the courage to release her debut album—Who is Jill Scott?
Words and Sounds Vol. 1—in 2000. Since then, Scott has released five studio albums, wrapped up a successful tour and earned several Grammy nominations. The 44-year-old singer, songwriter and model has even had a successful acting career with movie and television credits for Black Panther, The No.
1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Why Did I Get Married?After giving birth to her son Jett in 2009 and maxing out at her largest weight at 263 pounds, Scott decided it was long overdue for her to make a few changes to her health and well-being. Adopting a new diet and exercise regimen over the next two years, Scott lost around 200 pounds and quickly went from someone who was out of breath from climbing a set of stairs to an avid cyclist and gym rat. How’s that for an incredible celebrity transformation?
#11 – Graham Elliot
What’s cooking?The second foodie on our list, Graham Elliott grew up in Seattle as a self-proclaimed “Navy brat” whose travels around the world with his family ignited his love of food. As a result, Elliot enrolled at Johnson & Wales University and graduated with honors in 1997 before becoming the youngest four-star chef in Chicago at only 27 years old.Elliot was later featured on Iron Chef before he was invited to join MasterChef and MasterChef Junior as a talent judge.Tipping the scales at over 400 pounds in 2013 and putting his health in jeopardy, Elliot turned to surgery to help shed the weight and limit his food intake. Seeing almost immediate results, the 39-year-old chef was down 150 pounds within the first year and finished his first 10K alongside his wife weighing in at just under 250 pounds. Continuing to lose weight today by eating healthy and exercising, Elliot is proof that you can love food and still make healthy choices!
#10 – Rosie O’Donnell
Formerly known as one of the most outspoken talk show hosts on daytime television, Rosie O’Donnell started her career in stand-up comedy as a teenager before catching her first big break on Star Search in 1984.
A decade later and after a series of appearances in films like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle, O’Donnell was given her own Emmy Award-winning talk show in 1996. Ending the show in 2002 and earning the nickname as the “Queen of Nice,” the 54-year-old comedian and actress joined The View where her opinions ignited widespread controversy.
Much like Oprah Winfrey, O’Donnell has had some very public battles with her weight over the years with her most dramatic transformation coming recently after admitting in 2013 that she weighed 240 pounds. Finally serious about her health for the sake of her five children, O’Donnell underwent a gastric sleeve surgery and dropped around 175 pounds in a matter of two years. Continuing to keep the weight off today, O’Donnell says the surgery was one of the best decisions she’s ever made.
#9 – Paul Wall
Making waves in the new millennium with his southern rap style, Texas native Paul Wall released his first label album—The Peoples Champ—in 2005 and followed up the record with Get Money, Stay True in 2007 featuring songs like “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” “Break ‘em Off” and “Grillz.” The 35-year-old Wall has released eight albums over the last decade before taking a break from music to pursue a career in acting.Appearing in films like Furnace and I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, Wall is looking like a completely different person these days.Accustomed to wearing baggy clothes and oversized t-shirts, Wall was shockingly thinner in 2010 when he took the red carpet in a suit and tie after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. Initially losing 100 pounds, Wall lost another 30 with his wife Crystal who joined her husband’s weight loss journey and dropped 70 pounds of her own. Wall later admitted that he weighed 320 pounds at his heaviest but he’s happy to say that he’s under 200 pounds for the first time in his adult life.
#8 – Jordin Sparks
What is it with American Idol and celebrity weight loss?
Another former contestant to join the ranks is Arizona native Jordin Sparks, the daughter of former NFL star Phillippi Sparks. Making her debut (and winning) the sixth season of Idol at just 17 years old in 2007, Sparks became the youngest winner in the show’s history and released her self-titled debut album the same year.
Churning out hits like “Tattoo,” “No Air” and “S.O.S. (Let the Music Play),” Sparks has won numerous awards over the years and has become one of the most successful American Idol contestants of all time.
Familiar with Simon Cowell’s harsh criticism on the show, Sparks remained confident in her looks and only decided in 2013 that she needed to lose weight. By 2015, the 26-year-old singer confirmed that she had lost 50 pounds thanks to clean eating and working with a personal trainer five days a week. Since then, Sparks has graced the covers of fitness magazines and flaunts her flat stomach and toned arms in one of the most impressive transformations on our list.
#7 – Al Roker
“And now for the weather…” Dreaming of becoming a cartoonist as a child, New York native Al Roker took a different route than he anticipated when he majored in communications at the State University of New York and launched his career as a weather anchor in 1974.
Joining NBC in 1978 and climbing the ranks as a weathercaster over the next two decades, Roker hosted his own show in 1995 before accepting the offer of a lifetime as the weekday weathercaster on Today the following year.Failing to lose weight despite dieting for much of his life, Roker weighed 320 pounds when he underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2002.
Losing over 100 pounds in eight months and pulling off another 40 pounds since then, Roker says his renewed energy is what fuels those early mornings as well as his work as an actor and best-selling author. And, at 61 years old and intending to spend the rest of his career on the Today show, we’re thrilled life is nothing but sunshine for NBC’s favorite morning weatherman.
#6 – Jonah Hill
Spending much of his career cast as the klutzy chubby kid, 32-year-old Jonah Hill made his film debut in I Heart Huckabees in 2004 before catching the eye of Judd Apatow who gave him a small appearance in The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Continuing to work with Apatow, Hill gave his breakthrough performance in Superbad and has since become a staple in the industry thanks to comedies like Knocked Up and 21 Jump Street as well as dramas like Moneyball and The Wolf of Wall Street.Working with Brad Pitt in Moneyball in 2011, Pitt encouraged Hill to shed some weight for his upcoming role in 21 Jump Street.
The 250-pound beer-loving Hill took Pitt’s advice and started counting calories and working out. Shortly after, Hill dropped 50 pounds and shocked the world when he took the red carpet for the premiere looking like an entirely different person. Unfortunately, the award-winning funnyman hasn’t been able to maintain his low-carb and beer-free diet with his weight now topping the charts at 270 pounds.
#5 – Ricki Lake
First introduced to the world in the 1988 cult classic Hairspray, Ricki Lake landed the role partially because of her plump frame.After wrapping up the film and weighing around 260 pounds, Lake made a few television and film appearances before becoming the youngest talk show host in 1993 at 24 years old. Spending a decade on the talk show discussing a variety of hot topics, Lake’s weight continued to fluctuate before she finally decided to take control of her health in 2007 after years of battling depression.Losing the majority of her weight by drastically cutting her calories to nearly nothing and running every day, Lake regained some of the weight back but was inspired by Kirstie Alley’s appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2011 and joined the ranks of celebrity contestants. Hitting the dancefloor for the show’s 13th season, Lake took third place but found even greater success after losing 20 pounds over 10 weeks of training with professional dancer Derek Hough. Maintaining her healthy lifestyle at 47 years old, the Emmy Award-winning host is still staying plenty busy in Hollywood.
#4 – Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
Whether you loved it or hated it, MTV’s Jersey Shore was memorable partially because of Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi.
Recognized by The New York Times as the “breakout member of the cast,” Snooki’s popularity on the show from 2009 to 2012 made her a star that led to spin-off series and dozens of other television appearances. And, much like so many others on our list, the reality television wild child found herself on the dancefloor in 2013 as one of the newest celebrity contestants on Dancing with the Stars.
Admitting that she battled anorexia as a teenager, Snooki’s party-hard lifestyle caused her to pack the pounds on her tiny 4’8” frame. Weighing 150 pounds by the end of Jersey Shore and pregnant with her first child, Snooki gave birth to her son in 2012 and went on a crash diet dropping 42 pounds. Maintaining her weight even after welcoming a second child in 2014, the 28-year-old Snooki has lost a total of 50 pounds and now barely tips the scale at 99 pounds after cutting out alcohol, counting calories and adding cardio.
#3 – Austin “Chumlee” Russell
Just call him “Chumlee!” While reality television can be hit or miss, the History Channel’s Pawn Stars has certainly been a hit.Following the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop near the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the most endearing cast members on the show is Austin Russel who is otherwise known as Chumlee. Portrayed as the big and aloof employee, Chumlee likely would’ve been fired years ago if he weren’t already friends with the owner’s son, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison.Often referred to as the “village idiot” on the show, Chumlee weighed 320 pounds when his father passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 54 in 2009. Knowing that he needed to make a drastic change to his eating habits and lifestyle, Chumlee turned to his girlfriend Tanya for help. Joining Tanya at the gym and cutting out processed foods and other junk, Chumlee has managed to lose 75 pounds and keep it off; although, he can’t say the same for steering clear of trouble after an arrest in 2016 for firearm and drug possession.
#2 – Janet Jackson
“All my girls at the party, look at that body…” Getting her start on the stage alongside her brothers in the late 1970s on The Jacksons variety show, Janet Jackson signed a recording contract in 1982 and instantly found success as a pop icon.
Known for provocative lyrics in hits like “All for You,” “Nasty” and “That’s the Way Love Goes,” Jackson is one of the world’s most awarded and influential artists of all time who also holds the record for the most consecutive top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Disappearing from the spotlight briefly in the new millennium, Jackson reemerged in 2007 looking much larger than ever before and almost unrecognizable.
Known for never weighing herself and embarrassed by the photos, the pop diva quietly made a change in her eating habits and cut out all junk food with the exception of her favorite indulgence, caramel apples. Though it’s uncertain how much weight she actually lost, the 50-year-old has not only managed to keep it off but she’s bounced back looking even sexier than before.
#1.5 – Mama June
Famously known as Mama June from TLC’s hit train wreck show “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” June Shannon Recently took to twitter to show off her new found 100lbs lighter figure.
Having her first daughter at 15 she struggled to shake the baby weight for nearly a decade. After becoming a grand mother at the age of 33 she knew she had to lose weight to keep up with her grand children, which has also helped do wonders for her health as she has been battling with diabetes for years.
What was her secret for losing a whopping 100 lbs you ask? Without too much effort she claimed “I haven’t been drinking as much soda – just water and stuff. We’ve been eating a lot of chicken and baked foods. I also snack on grapes and cheese cubes throughout the day”. We can assume she may of finally give up on huge plates of “sketti” which is comprised mainly of white spaghetti noodles, ketchup and heaping piles of butter. However, the weight loss hasn’t been all good news for June. She claims that Sugar Bear is not a fan of her new slim body “He likes bigger girls. He is kind of a chubby chaser!” she said.
#1 – Gabourey Sidibe
While most actors struggle with minor roles and appearances before catching their first major break, the same can’t be said for Gabourey Sidibe who landed a starring role in her first acting gig in the 2009 film Precious.
Earning an Academy Award nomination for her performance, Sidibe quickly became a star as she joined the cast of Showtime’s The Big C as well as American Horror Story. Today, the 33-year-old actress can be seen strutting her stuff as Becky Williams on Empire and on the Hulu series Difficult People.
The former office receptionist turned Hollywood star revealed in 2011 that she lost an impressive 50 pounds and felt much healthier than her Precious days. The following year, rumors ran wild that Sidibe had dropped down to 179 pounds but, thanks to the wonders of Photoshop, it was only a hoax. Regardless, Sidibe is keeping off the weight and has become one of the most impressive celebrity weight loss transformations we’ve seen in Hollywood so far! Keep up the great work!
