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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Jillian Michaels Says Lawyer Defamed Her

SALT LAKE CITY (CN) - Jillian Michaels, team trainer for "The Biggest Loser," claims a class-action lawyer defamed her by stating to TMZ: "Telling people you take two magic pills and then eat chocolate cake all day is a deception."

Melissa Harnett with Wasserman, Comden & Casselman is representing Christie Christensen in a Feb. 9 class action accusing Michaels of "squandering her fame" by endorsing a "worthless" dietary supplement called Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control.

Harnett made the allegedly defamatory statement to TMZ after filing the class action, according to Michaels' lawsuit in Salt Lake County Court.

Michaels says her diet pill contains herbal ingredients that have been shown to help people lose weight, even when they "were instructed not to consciously change their diet or exercise routines."

Michaels claims the packaging instructs consumers to use the diet pills "in conjunction with any sensible diet and exercise program," and it clearly states that "individual results will vary."

Michaels says Harnett's statement, which was republished around the country, harmed her reputation. She demands damages, and is represented by James Magleby and Peggy Tomsic with Magleby & Greenwood.

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