‘Rachael Ray Show’ Sued By Obese Guest [Report]
The Rachael Ray Show is reportedly being sued by former guest Christina Pagliarolo, who claims that her appearance on the program resulted in anxiety and humiliation.
Roughly two years ago, Christina agreed to participate in a series of segments on the Rachael Ray Show addressing teenage weight issues. When filming began, she was an 18-year-old high school senior seeking to shed approximately 70 pounds before attending prom. She is now reportedly claiming that she was grossly mistreated by the show’s fitness trainer.
When Christina first appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, she weighed in at approximately 260 pounds, well above the suggested healthy weight for a roughly 5-foot tall female teenager.
According to her first segment on the daytime program, Christina’s weight was severely affecting her self esteem.
“I honestly hate myself. I hate the way I look,” Christina explained in a video diary taped for the show. “I hate the way people look at me. I feel so, like, disgusting. I really, really do hate myself.”
However, Christina struggled immensely to follow the fitness routines outlined by the fitness trainer on behalf of the Rachael Ray Show.
According to news outlet TMZ, Christina has now sued the show for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress due to what she claims was abusive treatment suffered at the hands of the trainer.
Christina reportedly alleges that she was repeatedly screamed at and forced to exercise by the Rachael Ray Show trainer. She also claims that she was forced to hike in the mountains as part of her fitness routine.
The lawsuit apparently details a particularly painful incident involving exercise on a StairMaster. According to Christina, the trainer continually increased the machine’s speed until she fell and then proceeded to yell at her for falling.
The combined incidents reportedly caused the obese teenager to suffer both emotional and physical anguish. Christina alleges that, by the time she ended her fitness training with the Rachael Ray Show, she had incurred serious injuries resulting in severe leg pain.
Following TMZ’s initial report regarding lawsuit, the news outlet was contacted by a representative of the Rachael Ray Show addressing reports that the program as being sued. According to the representative, the show is not aware of any pending legal action in the matter.
“We haven’t received this purported lawsuit but if it does materialize we will defend ourselves against it vigorously and fully expect to prevail,” the spokesperson explained.
Did you see Christina’s stint on the Rachael Ray Show? Do you think the program should be sued for its alleged abusive treatment of the overweight teenager?
[Top image via stocklight / Shutterstock.com]
