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Trainer Cara Castronuova, who appeared on Season 11 of the The Biggest Loser, is suing the New York State Board of Elections for allegedly preventing her and others from writing her name in as a Republican challenger to incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Castronuova was initially kept off the GOP ballot when party leaders challenged the signatures she submitted in April to have her name appear on the ballot.

A judge said in May that voters could write in her name. But there was no Republican primary in the race, and thus, no ballots for the party’s candidates.

“After arguing for my right to legally vote by write-in on an affidavit ballot for the Republican candidate of my choice, I was handed a primary affidavit ballot for Democrats,” voter Phil Orenstein of Queens Village said in court papers, as reported by the New York Post. “I believe my vote will not be counted,...

Fitness guru Cara Castronuova isn't very discriminating ... she'll go on a date with Anyone who's willing to pay the asking price -- $10,000.Cara -- an ex-trainer on "The Biggest Loser" -- tells TMZ she's raising money for her charity -- Knockout Obesity -- by offering a romantic evening in NYC with anyone who ponies up 10 grand.The best part ... she's open to men and women.Cara says she hopes to go on at least 3 dates...

More smack talk in the war between two former "Biggest Loser" co-stars -- this time Jillian Michaels is firing back at Cara Castronuova with some good ol' fashioned venom-laced sarcasm. We broke the story ... Cara -- who was a trainer on the show -- ripped Jillian apart over Michaels' poor showing at the Malibu triathlon earlier this month, calling her an embarrassment. This weekend, Michaels returned to Malibu -- where she offered up some brand...

Jillian Michaels didn't just Suck Ass at the Malibu Triathlon -- she was an Embarrassment -- so says her former "Biggest Loser" co-star Cara Castronuova. As we previously reported, Michaels was a disaster at last weekend's big race -- admitting to TMZ she got beat by a bunch of people a world class fitness professional shouldn't have lost to ... including an 80-year-old. But when we ran into Cara last night in L.A., the former B.

Your wait for weight-loss is almost over: Season 12 of The Biggest Loser debuts Sept. 20 (NBC, 8 p.m.). Expect a few changes when the show returns, from the taskmasters (goodbye, Jillian Michaels, Bret Hoebel and Cara Castronuova; hello, new trainers Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince) to an updated gym, to the theme of the season, which groups contestants by age. EW spoke with exec producer Todd Lubin about the upcoming action, which also includes an elimination twist.

On the “Battle of the Ages” theme

“There will be three teams: people under 30, people in their 30s and 40s, and people 50 and over.

We at Zap2it love to answer your real burning questions. Sure, the news is that Olivia won Season 11 of "The Biggest Loser." And after several days of speculation, NBC officially announced that Anna Kournikova is indeed replacing Jillian Michaels. But, what about the things fans really want to know?

So, we've gathered the answers to your most frequently asked questions after the finale:

Sure, Kournikova is an accomplished athlete, but does she have the background to train people?Aside from playing tennis since she was eight-years-old, being ranked No. 1 in singles at 13, and later breaking into the world's Top 20 after turning pro, and being totally easy on the eyes, what gives her the background to train others?

According to an NBC press release, the tennis pro is a certified trainer and has worked with several fitness programs around the world. That includes lifestyle and fitness programs with the Boys & Girls Club of America,...

Filed under: TV News

Kevin Costner is heading to the History Channel. Costner will produce and star in a new miniseries, 'The Hatfields and McCoys.'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Costner will play Anse Hatfield. The series will retell the tale of the bloody feud between the two families. It's set to air next year, the 150th anniversary of the infamous clash.

"'The Hatfields & McCoys' is a classic tale of American history," Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of History, said in a statement. "These are names that are widely recognized, yet few people know the real story that made them famous."

Leslie Greif's Thinkfactory Media is behind the project.

"As an avid history fan, I am thrilled to join with Leslie Greif and History in this dramatic re-telling of a classic and timeless tale that is forever immersed in the folklore of our country," Costner said in a statement.

Filed under: TV News

Kevin Costner is heading to the History Channel. Costner will produce and star in a new miniseries, 'The Hatfields and McCoys.'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Costner will play Anse Hatfield. The series will retell the tale of the bloody feud between the two families. It's set to air next year, the 150th anniversary of the infamous clash.

"'The Hatfields & McCoys' is a classic tale of American history," Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of History, said in a statement. "These are names that are widely recognized, yet few people know the real story that made them famous."

Leslie Greif's Thinkfactory Media is behind the project.

"As an avid history fan, I am thrilled to join with Leslie Greif and History in this dramatic re-telling of a classic and timeless tale that is forever immersed in the folklore of our country," Costner said in a statement.

It's official, tennis hottie Anna Kournikova has signed a deal to join " The Biggest Loser " next season -- while Three current stars of the show will be on their way out. Producers confirm the 29-year-old will join the show as a celebrity trainer ... but trainers Jillian Michaels ,  Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova will not return for Season 12. Exec. producer Todd Lubin tells New York Magazine the decision to hire Anna was all part of an...

The Biggest Loser has netted a new celebrity trainer: Tennis star Anna Kournikova will join NBC’s popular weight-loss competition next season, a network spokesperson confirmed today. The 29-year-old Russian is filling the trainer slot that is being vacated by Jillian Michaels — who announced her impending departure back in December — though the Biggest Loser team is not viewing Kournikova as a substitute. “We intentionally tried to not replace Jillian,” executive producer Todd Lubin told Vulture, which first reported the news of the Kournikova hire. The direction of the show will be “getting slightly away from just the tape measure, and...

Anna Kournikova will join Bob Harper as a trainer on The Biggest Loser 12 this fall, replacing Jillian Michaels, the show confirmed during its Tuesday finale, but new trainers Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova will not return as part of changes the show is making. A badly written gossip report that called trainers "judges" broke the news late last week, so the really surprising news here is that Brett and Cara, who were added this...

"The Biggest Loser" has an even bigger announcement to make on Tuesday's finale.

Reportedly, tennis star Anna Kournikova will be joining the show in Jillian Michaels' place next season, as she says goodbye to focus on family. X-17 first broke the news, saying that her $9 million Florida estate was put on the market earlier this month so that Kournikova could relocate to Los Angeles for the show.

While USA Today attempted a confirmation from NBC, they would only say:

"We can't comment at this time on the multiple casting rumors surrounding the show, but look forward to making a big announcement about Season 12 of 'The Biggest Loser' at our Season 11 finale Tuesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. Et on NBC."

If the rumor proves true, Kournikova will join new judges Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel, who have already been announced for next season.

What do you think of Kournikova on the reality show?...

Reports that Anna Kournikova will join the cast of "The Biggest Loser" has brought the retired Russian tennis beauty back into the headlines.

From Popeater:

Kournikova will join new trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel as the show undergoes major changes in the wake of Jillian Michaels' departure from the hit show, X17 Online reports. Michaels announced her decision to leave last year in order to focus on starting a family.

Last fall, a bikini-clad Kournikova graced the pages of Maxim Magazine. Check out the slidshow below for more pictures.

How do you think she'll be on "The Biggest Loser?" Let us know in the comments below.

Tennis star Anna Kournikova is set to replace trainer Jillian Michaels on NBC's hit weight loss show The Biggest Loser.

This kind of makes sense - the ace is just as well known for her hot bod as her backhand.

The announcement is expected to be made before tonight's season finale.

Kournikova is replacing Jillian Michaels who has been the show's break out star prompting the release of a DVD workout series, diet pills and even weight loss app. She is rumored to be starting a family by adopting a child from the Congo.

This season, rival trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebell joined the show to face off against Michaels and trainer Bob Harper to see whose overweight contestants would lose the most weight.

The Biggest Loser season finale airs tonight on NBC at 8:00Pm Est.

Filed under: TV News, Celebrities and Gossip

With Jillian Michaels out of the picture, could Anna Kournikova be taking her place? According to reports, the tennis star will join the NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' as a trainer next season.

Kournikova will join new trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel as the show undergoes major changes in the wake of Jillian Michaels' departure from the hit show, X17 Online reports.

Michaels will serve as a co-host on 'The Doctors' and a correspondent on 'Dr. Phil.'

An official announcement regarding Kournikova's role on 'Biggest Loser' is expected after the show's season finale on Tuesday.

Kournikova, who recently put her $9.4 million Miami mansion on the market, is certainly no stranger in the fitness world.

 

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Former tennis ace-turned-model Anna Kournikova has signed on to put heavyweights through their paces in the new season of hit U.S. reality show The Biggest Loser.

The stunner, who is singer Enrique Iglesias' longtime girlfriend, will be one of the show's trainers, according to X17Online.com.

Kournikova will reportedly join fitness experts Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel on the programme.

Anna Kournikova has reportedly agreed to become a trainer on the next season of The Biggest Loser. According to x17 Online, the Russian tennis professional is expected to serve as a sports trainer on the NBC weight loss show's upcoming 12th season following the upcoming departure of Jillian Michaels, announced last December. If chosen, Kournikova will appear alongside current trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel, (more)...

Anna Kournikova has reportedly been lined up as a new trainer on the upcoming season of The Biggest Loser in America.

Jillian Michaels has recently announced her decision to step down from the hit weight loss show and will now be joining the lineup on The Doctors and insiders say that tennis ace Anna will be the perfect replacement for the big muscled star.

X17online claim that Us TV network NBC will make a formal announcement, revealing Anna as their latest team member during the upcoming season finale on Tuesday, May 24.

It won’t be her first time on the show as in October 2010, Kournikova appeared on The Biggest Loser, when she led the contestants in a tennis-workout challenge. If the claims are true, the 29-year-old beauty will join trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel.

Anna Kournikova recently won American citizenship and is currently living in Miami Beach, Florida.

Anna Kournikova has reportedly signed up to join "The Biggest Loser" as a new trainer in upcoming season. The Russia-born tennis player is said being set to lend her athletic training skills, replacing longtime show trainer Jillian Michaels who is leaving after this season.

According to X17online, NBC will make a formal announcement regarding Anna's involvement in the season finale which will air Tuesday, May 24. Should the report is true, the 29-year-old beauty will join trainers Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel.

Anna Kournikova is currently living in Miami Beach, Florida. She has dated singer Enrique Iglesias since 2001 and plays in occasional exhibitions as well as in doubles for the St. Louis Aces of World Team Tennis.

Tennis star Anna Kournikova will reportedly lend her training skills to "The Biggest Loser" next season, according to X17Online.com.

Kournikova would join new judges Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel, who have already been announced as part of the new team. Longtime show trainer Jillian Michaels is leaving after this season.

NBC will make the formal announcement on the "Biggest Loser" season finale next Tuesday.

The tennis player made her debut at the 1996 U.

This week in PopSugarTV, Bella showed us how to create an easy wedding hairstyle, perfectly apply liquid eyeliner, and make orange makeup work. Meanwhile, Fab interviewed Rachel Roy and Madewell designer Alexa Chung, and also broke down some of Spring and Summer's biggest trends, including bold colors, and big stripes, bright prints. Yum got in Kentucky Derby Mode with a mint julep recipe, and Fit did a little boxing with The Biggest Loser's Cara Castronuova. Check out all the videos at the links above, and check out PopSugar TV for even more!

It was an exciting week at PopSugarTV. Our Reese Witherspoon I'm a Huge Fan winner went on an incredible journey as she readied for her meeting with the Water for Elephants star, Fab chatted with J. Crew's Jenna Lyons, and Bella showed us how to clean up our messy makeup drawers. Meanwhile, Yum shared the famous Magnolia Bakery cupcake recipe and showed us how to make deviled eggs, while Fit chatted up The Biggest Loser's new trainer Cara Castronuova. Check out the videos at the links above!

Cara Castronuova talks about her unique attitude towards contestants and her predictions for season 11 of the show

Cara Castronouva is the newest trainer on The Biggest Loser this season, and since Jillian Michaels is leaving after this season, Cara’s role with the show is about to grow. We chatted with Cara at the John Varvatos 8th Annual Stuart House Benefit and she explainedthat she wants to make a name for herself and be different from the other trainers on the show.“From the beginning I told myself that I wasn’t going to watch The Biggest Loser. I didn’t want to fall into the trap of being like Bob and Jillian. Because I’m not them, I’m me,” Cara explained.

The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian is often considered the tough one, while Bob Harper inspires contestants to lose weight. Cara, 31, says she falls somewhere in between the two.

To no surprise, the peacock network has renewed one of their highest-rated shows for another season. The Biggest Loser will be back for round 12 during the 2011-12 season.

Last fall's Biggest Loser 10 averaged a 2.7 in the coveted 18-49 demographic and 7.44 million total viewers. That ranks it as the third-highest rated reality series on the NBC for the season and ties for fourth place in the demo against all of the network's shows.

So far, the current cycle has been averaging a 3.1 in the demo and 8.68 million viewers. It's NBC's highest-rated reality series in the demo and the second-highest show overall, behind The Office.

Season 11 of The Biggest Loser is a couple edition which introduced new trainers Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova who join returning trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. At the...

The Biggest Loser has diversity in sexual orientation among its trainers, and I'm not even talking about cast members' suggestions that Bob Harper is gay. The NBC reality series now has two female trainers who are gay, or at the very least, not straight: Jillian Michaels, who came out as bisexual last year without actually calling herself bisexual, and new trainer Cara Castronuova has been in a significant relationship with a woman, Mc God-des, part...

Does it matter to you what the sexual preferences of "The Biggest Loser" trainers are? It may and it definitely does when it comes to a few gay news websites.

To be specific, it's not the trainers' sexuality that's angering the sites, and to be even more specific, the site that first raised the question, "Is 'The Biggest Loser' trying to keep their trainers in the closet?," is lesbian pop culture news site, AfterEllen.com, though a few other gay news sites have jumped onboard.

AfterEllen.com raised the question after several requests to interview Jillian Michaels were denied and now they've been denied an interview with new Unknowns trainer Cara Castronuova.

Apparently while Jillian (who is in her last season with the show) has confessed to being bisexual, Cara has spoken openly about being partnered to lesbian hip-hop and soul singer, God-Des of the group God-des and She.

Filed under: TV News

Jane Lynch will soon add "published author" to her list of accomplishments.

According to The New York Times, the comedian will release 'Happy Accidents,' an inspirational memoir, in September. The book will cover Lynch's career milestones, such as her time doing improv at Second City and acting in movies like 'Best in Show' and 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and more personal material like overcoming alcoholism and embracing her homosexuality.

"Sue Sylvester didn't come out of a vacuum," Lynch told the Times. "She's someone that lives very deeply in me. I kind of liked that shaming, vengeful energy during different periods of my life. I was in therapy and I was complaining about somebody not following the rules, and my therapist basically started laughing at me and said, you must write a monologue about this, because it's hilarious stuff."

In other TV news ...

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New Biggest Loser trainer Cara Castronuova was taught to box at the age of 5 and began competing professionally when she was around 20. She went on to win the Golden Gloves twice and earn a number two ranking in the nation from USA Boxing. Here's what she revealed about her background during a recent press call... (For more information on fellow new trainer Brett click here) Why did you get involved in the show?

Cara says that she didn't actually watch The Biggest Loser before she was cast but immediately watched as many episodes as she could when she heard the good news. "I was so touched and inspired by the contestants on the show, and watching Bob and Jillian and what they did," she says. "I just fell in love with the show." Did you feel any pressure joining such a popular franchise?

She admits that there was some pressure...

After teasing at their identity since the start of Season 11, "The Biggest Loser" has unveiled its two new trainers -- who'll share the duty of filling the gap Jillian Michaels will leave when she departs at the end of the season.

But with Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel carry her torch with ultra-competitive spirit and tough love approach? Probably not.

Castronuova and Hoebel, a boxer and martial arts guru respectively, made it clear when speaking with reporters on Jan. 19 that they have their own, unique approaches.

"You can't teach a person heart," says Castronuova. "Successful weight loss also comes from making [the contestants] mentally strong and knowing that they can do anything. It's not just the training or the nutritional part... it's about fixing what's inside."

And they have nothing but respect for the job their new co-stars have done so far. "Look, Bob [Harper] and Jillian are two of the greatest trainers,...

Double the pain, double the gain. What NBC's The Biggest Loser loses in terms of fitness expertise with the upcoming departure of Jillian Michaels is more than compensated for with the debut of two new trainers. The new fitness gurus, handpicked by Jillian, made their debut on Tuesday's night's premiere. So just who are these "unknowns?" The first mystery trainer, Cara Castronova, is a tough-as-nails female boxer who was ranked No. 2 in the country by USA Boxing. "I'm not a celebrity trainer.  I don't have my own line of DVDs, but I'm a fighter and I have everything to prove," the two-time Golden Glove champion said on last night's...

Jillian Michaels is leaving "The Biggest Loser" at the end of the season and on Tuesday's show, the two trainers that are replacing her and joining the franchise were unveiled.

Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel are the new additions to the training staff, ready to compete with trainer Bob Harper, and help get contestants into shape.

Brett, who has helped train Victoria's Secret supermodels, brings to the show his martial arts experience, especially in the Afro-Brazilian capoeira and Muay Thai kickboxing.

The New York-based lifestyle expert is known for creating the popular RevAbs fitness program.

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The new trainers on the current season of The Biggest Loser: Couples have been unveiled. Cara Castronuova and Brett Hoebel had only been shown in silhouette until Tuesday night's episode of the NBC competition, when their identities were finally revealed to viewers. "I'm not a celebrity trainer," said Castronuova. "I don't have my own line of DVDs but I'm a fighter and have everything to prove." She explained that she was taught how to box by her father as a 5-year-old and began competing at the age of 20. She has been ranked number two by USA Boxing and has won the Golden Gloves in New York City twice. "Nothing would make me happier than to train the next winner on The Biggest Loser because it means the world to me," she added. "Everybody has a fighter inside them, they just don't realize it." (more)...

This week's episode opened with the new trainers finally being unveiled! Shown only in silhouette until now, we finally learned that boxer Cara Castronuova and fitness trainer/motivator and martial artist Brett Hoebel have been the secret duo guiding the unknowns (click here for more info on the new trainers). The action starts at the unknown campus as the contestants rally around Q in a bid to boost his motivation because they're not sure he's been giving 100%. Rulon points out that Q's only lost 17lbs so far but Moses has shed over 50lbs. "Right now you're flatlining," he adds. The group want to help him but say he has to put his all into it too. The unknowns later travel to this week's first challenge, where they are joined by the ranchers. Alison says that one player from each group will win and meet over dinner with Curtis Stone, who...

Tuesday’s episode of The Biggest Loser brought an end to the silhouettes and creative camera angles: Yes, at last we were introduced to the two new taskmasters, er, trainers. (Spoiler Alert: Stop reading unless you’ve already watched this week’s installment.) Brett Hoebel, a celebrity trainer whose areas of expertise include martial arts, and Cara Castronuova, who made a name for herself as a professional boxer, have joined Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels in their daunting challenge to help overweight contestants lose pounds and emotional baggage. Let’s get to know the Unknowns’ fitness gurus.

Entertainment Weekly: Finally,...

The Biggest Loser is still keeping the identities of its mystery trainers a secret, even after its first episode tonight, but reports on fitness blogs suggest they are Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronova. Lisa Johnson writes that she received an anonymous tip about the identities of the trainers, and verified that by comparing their voices to the promos for the 11th season. Cara Castronova is a boxer and actor who once appeared on Law &...