Reality TV star of the week: '600lb' star Shakyia Jackson calls out TLC for distorting her story on the show
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Shakyia Jackson, a star of TLC's "My 600-lb Life," recently voiced her dissatisfaction with the network, alleging that they misrepresented her story on the show. In a series of posts on social media, Jackson claimed that TLC edited her story in a misleading way, distorting the truth about her weight loss journey.
According to Jackson, TLC portrayed her as non-compliant with the weight loss program, casting her in a negative light by emphasizing her struggles and setbacks while overlooking her progress and successes. She alleged that the network sensationalized her story for ratings, focusing on the dramatic aspects rather than accurately portraying her efforts to improve her health.
Jackson expressed frustration and disappointment with TLC, stating that she felt exploited and misrepresented by the network. She argued that her true story was not accurately reflected in the episodes aired on television, leading viewers to form misconceptions about her journey and character.
Speaking of her health journey, Shakyia took to Facebook just before the TLC premiere and wrote, "I didn’t want to really talk about it but I have no other choice now that it’s about to be viewed by millions of people tonight . This was filmed almost 2 years ago and finish filming last year no I don’t look the same . I am under a NDA I can’t talk much but if you will like it comes on at 8pm est . *** KEEP THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF ****"
Where is Shakyia Jackson now?
Shakyia Jackson continues to reside in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she has shifted her focus to running her own crafting business. Specializing in handmade items, her collection includes decorated beaded tumblers, snowglobes, phone cases, pens, and bracelets.
However, she hasn't shared much about her weight loss journey or her time on "My 600-lb Life" on her social media pages. So, it's unclear whether she's made progress in losing weight since her appearance on the show.
What is Shakyia Jackson's story on '600lb'?
Shakyia Jackson, a young woman from Charlotte, North Carolina, grabbed attention when she appeared on Season 12 of "My 600-lb Life." At just 26 years old, she faced a daunting challenge: weighing 655 pounds and grappling with health issues like asthma and lymphedema, which made walking incredibly difficult and painful.
Her journey on the show revealed a turbulent past marked by trauma, including experiences in foster care and surviving sexual assault. Coping with these hardships, Shakyia turned to food for solace, setting the stage for her appearance on the show as she sought a drastic change.
Living with her mother, stepfather, sister, and three nieces at the beginning of her episode, Shakyia seemed to have a strong support network. Accompanied by her sister and a friend, she embarked on a journey to Houston, Texas, to meet with Dr Now, a renowned bariatric surgeon, signaling her determination to confront her weight issues.
However, upon returning home, Shakyia encountered a significant setback. She missed crucial follow-up appointments with Dr Now, resulting in months of silence and uncertainty surrounding her progress.
When she eventually reconnected with Dr Now, it was disclosed that Shakyia had experienced respiratory failure, leading to a sudden episode that required her to be placed on a ventilator. As a result, she now depended on a walker for mobility.
When she finally reconnected with Dr Now, it was revealed that she had experienced respiratory failure and now relied on a walker for mobility, following a sudden episode that landed her on a ventilator. Her family situation worsened when her mother reportedly kicked her out, leaving Shakyia to fend for herself.
Living alone in an extended-stay hotel, Shakyia's support system dwindled, intensifying the challenges in her journey with Dr. Now. Despite his persistent efforts to assist her through therapy and weight loss regimens, Shakyia grappled with making substantial progress.
Over the span of a year, she managed to shed only 21 pounds, falling short of Dr Now's weight loss targets. Ultimately, Shakyia's lack of commitment led Dr Now to make the tough decision of removing her from his program.
However, he left the door open for her to return if she could demonstrate renewed dedication and meet the weight loss goals set for her.