by David McAlpine

NBC's hit reality series The Biggest Loser is back and bigger than ever--literally. The ninth installment of the popular show kicks off Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC with 11 teams of two family members, all determined to change their bodies and their lives for the better.

Some of the contestants include: Cherita, a homemaker who recently won a battle with cancer, and her daughter, Vicky, identical twins James and John who, together, weigh almost half a ton, and the heaviest contestant ever on the show, Michael, weighing in at 526 pounds, and his mother, Maria.

Trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels are back to push all 22 contestants to the limit on their journey to weight-loss and a new, healthier lifestyle. The Pound for Pound Challenge is also back, where viewers can go online to The Biggest Loser's website to pledge their own weight loss and help fight hunger around the nation.

The 22 Biggest Loser hopefuls competing for the $250,000 prize are:

Mother: Patti Anderson, 55, Business owner from Lafayette, CA
Daughter: Stephanie Anderson, 29, Radio sales executive from West Hollywood, CA

Mother: Cherita Andrews, 50, Homemaker from Houston, TX
Daughter: Vicky Andrews, 22, Student from Houston, TX

Mother: Miggy Cancel, 48, Chef from Pemberton, NJ
Daughter: Migdalia Sebren, 28, Homemaker from Sanford, NC

Brother: James Crutchfield, 30, Human Resources Director from Orlando, FL
Brother: John Crutchfield, 30, Senior Marketing Manager from Orlando, FL

Mother: Cheryl George, 50, Store Owner from Ardmore, OK
Son: Daris George, 25, Salesman and Deliveryman from Ardmore, OK

Father: O'Neal Hampton, Jr., 51, U.S. Postal Service Station Manager from Minneapolis, MN
Daughter: SunShine Hampton, 24, Restaurant Server from Minneapolis, MN

Father: Darrell Hough, 46, Press Operator and Mechanic from Ann Arbor, MI
Daughter: Andrea Hough, 24, Executive Assistant from Ann Arbor, MI

Mother: Sherry Johnston, 51, Non-Profit Administrator from Knoxville, TN
Daughter: Ashley Johnston, 27, Manager and Esthetician from Knoxville, TN

Wife: Melissa Morgan, 39, Attorney from Aspermont, TX
Husband: Lance Morgan, 38, Rancher from Aspermont, TX

Cousin: Sam Poueu, 24, Youth Football Coach and Security Guard from Rohnert Park, CA
Cousin: Koli Palu, 29, Football Coach and Head of Security from Rohnert Park, CA

Mother: Maria Ventrella, 51, Corporate Travel Agent from Chicago, IL
Son: Michael Ventrella, 30, DJ from Chicago, IL

Alison Sweeney returns to host this season, premiering Tuesday, January 5 at 8/7c on NBC.

(Photo courtesy of NBC)

Source: NBC

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