by Gina Scarpa

 

Last week, on the season premiere of The Biggest Loser, Bob and Jillian traveled around the country to find the newest group of contestants for season 10. In each city, they met with three finalists who participated in a competition to make it onto the show. Two would move on to the Biggest Loser ranch while the other was left behind.  Montina Cooper was one of the unlucky hopefuls who didn't make it onto the show but her journey isn't over yet. We spoke to her today in an exclusive interview about her second chance to make it to the ranch as well as her aspiring music career.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was the wakeup call that made you decide that you needed The Biggest Loser?
A. Montina: I had a gastric band put in and I started developing scar tissue so I had it taken down. When I had that, I gained about 40 pounds in a month. I said, "Enough is enough." I was tired of quick fixes. I wanted to get the information I needed to save my own life. All those quick diets... I had enough of it. I drove to New Orleans and auditioned for The Biggest Loser.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When Bob and Jillian showed up in your home state, and you found out that only two of you would make it to the ranch, what was your reaction?
A. Montina: I had knee surgery less than a month before. When I saw only two people were going to make it based on the step challenge, I was mortified. I was like, "Knee, don't go out." Of course, the knee went out. Everything happens for a reason.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What were you most disappointed about when you didn't make it?
A. Montina: That I lost the challenge in front of my son! Most people would think I was disappointed that I didn't make it onto the ranch. My 10 year old was there and he saw me fail. It was horrible.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You have a chance later this season to compete for a spot at The Biggest Loser ranch. What did you do to prepare for that moment?
A. Montina: I worked out as hard as I could and ate right and hoped for the best. There are other people that are going to do what you did and you have to be prepared. I worked my butt off.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You recently released your single "Better", which is available on iTunes. Tell us a little bit about the song.
A. Montina: I wrote that song for all the working women who work really hard because I'm one of those women. We feel like we're neglecting our partner. It says, "I wanna be better because I know I've been busy, but I really do love you."

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you feel that losing weight will help your image in the music industry?
A. Montina: I wanna lose weight to be healthy. I don't want people to think I want to lose weight to be a music star. I want to be healthy so I can see my grandchildren's grandchildren. There's a time when you have to put yourself first so that you can take care of others. When you're unhealthy, you can't do that.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a weight loss goal?
A. Montina: I just wanna look real good in a tight, red dress. Whatever the number is, as long as I look good, I'm not focused on that! This show is definitely always about numbers but I think when you start focusing on that, that's when you begin to fail. When you take it one day at a time and every day you look in the mirror and your butt is getting smaller, you're doing alright!

 

 

The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

 

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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