Last night marked the premiere of the much-anticipated reality fitness show, “Revenge Body” hosted by Khloé Kardashian. Unfortunately, it turned out to be an incredibly shallow and disheartening addition to the weight-loss genre, and that’s saying something.
The show kicks off with a character named Jake. He’s charming and full of life, instantly making viewers wish he were their friend. We first see him entering his home, arms laden with Chinese takeout and donuts, reinforcing the tired stereotype that overweight individuals can only indulge in food. Jake shares that he hails from a small town, and due to his weight and personal struggles, food became his comfort. Then, we learn that his boyfriend recently told him he was no longer attracted to him. “I knew I had gained weight, but I didn’t realize how much it affected my attractiveness,” he confesses, tears welling in his eyes. At this moment, all I want to do is scream, “Jake, you deserve better! Leave this show and find someone who appreciates you!”
One can almost picture the show’s producers encouraging Jake to munch on his takeout while recounting his breakup. It’s painful to watch as he tears up, staring at his reflection, and I find myself wanting to knock on Khloé’s door and shout, “Isn’t your wealth enough to keep you from exploiting people’s vulnerabilities?”
“I see a lonely person,” Jake states. No, you are so much more than that! You lit up the screen when you first appeared. You’re hilarious, and your smile is contagious.
Khloé asks him why he’s on the show, and Jake responds, “I’m going through a transition in my life. My boyfriend just broke up with me, and I really want him back.” Wait a minute—Kyle is not your best friend, Jake. He’s a jerk. “Why did he break up with you?” Khloé prompts, digging deeper into Jake’s pain. “He said he wasn’t attracted to me anymore.”
Then Jake reveals photos of Kyle, who, by the way, is just as hefty as Jake! Seriously, Kyle, what gives? “Who do you want revenge on?” Khloé inquires. Jake’s response is painfully predictable: “Hopefully Kyle will see the effort I put in and realize how much I’ve changed.” At this point, we’re all wishing Khloé would step in and say, “Jake, focus on yourself! You’re incredible, and Kyle doesn’t deserve you.” Instead, she shares a superficial anecdote about Kim’s struggles, which somehow is supposed to make Jake feel better.
Jake’s goal? To transition from a “bear” to a “muscle cub”—essentially a big guy wanting to add some muscle. Khloé assures him that she’ll connect him with the best trainers and nutritionists. “I can’t wait to see my muscle cub!” she exclaims. It’s all so surface-level.
Next up is Clara, who introduces herself as the “designated ugly fat friend.” Surrounded by women who seem to revel in judging her, I can’t help but wish I could rescue her and show her kindness instead. These so-called friends offer “fashion advice,” and I feel an overwhelming urge to step in and say, “Clara, you don’t need a new body; you need new friends!”
At the club, Clara is reluctant to dance, and her friends pester her to get up, as if sitting down is a crime. Honestly, it’s painful to witness.
Eventually, Clara meets Khloé and gushes about her beauty—just like Jake did. Is this a requirement? Clara reminisces about being thin in middle school alongside her best friend, only to feel the sting of her friend’s judgment as she gained weight. Khloé asks what Clara desires to change about herself, and she lists her skin and nails first. In response, Khloé assures her that she has access to the best dermatologists who can “fix” her face. Excuse me? Did she just say that?
When Clara mentions she dreams of wearing a bikini, Khloé becomes fixated on throwing a pool party to showcase her transformation.
In the end, both Jake and Clara manage to lose some weight—Jake shed 30 pounds, and Clara lost 27, all in 12 weeks. There’s a glamorous reveal, and while Clara confronts her ex-BFF who seems oblivious to her past pain, Jake realizes his motivation stemmed from his breakup.
Ultimately, the show is all about physical appearances, neglecting the deeper qualities that truly define a person. Khloé, despite her own struggles with body image, seems to package her insecurities as empowerment and sells it to viewers. It’s disappointing to see a platform that could inspire self-love and acceptance instead perpetuate a shallow narrative.
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Summary
“Revenge Body” disappointingly reinforces superficial ideals of beauty and self-worth, focusing on physical transformations rather than addressing deeper emotional issues. The show features characters like Jake and Clara who struggle with self-acceptance, ultimately missing an opportunity to promote genuine empowerment.