After The Biggest Loser with Vinny Hickerson

Season 12 of The Biggest Loser came to an end this week in Los Angeles where the weight loss journey of Vinny Hickerson culminated with an amazing transformation. Although Vinny started The Biggest Loser at 426 pounds, Hickerson weighed in during the finale at 242 pounds to almost win the “at home” prize. Despite nearly winning $100,000, Vinny won a new lease on life thanks to his time on The Biggest Loser. In fact, given less stress of weight on his body, Vinny now has a new lease on country music with his band Trailer Choir and his upcoming solo album.

The day after The Biggest Loser finale, The Deadbolt caught up with Vinny Hickerson for an exclusive chat about his amazing weight loss, the impact of new Biggest Loser trainer Dolvett Quince, the many changes he had to make, and what Vinny has in store for the future, which includes ba new solo album sometime soon.

THE DEADBOLT: You looked amazing at the finale!

VINNY HICKERSON: Thanks! You know, it’s crazy. Everybody was like, “But you didn’t win!” I said, “No, I feel great!” I did 184 pounds in six months, I lost, and I feel proud of that. Money is money, but I put on so much muscle and gained so much more than that.

THE DEADBOLT: What was the major turning point for you during the season when you felt like it was all coming together?

VINNY: I think the major turning point for me came in the form of being in the hospital with Type 2 Diabetes before I even got to go on the ranch. I just realized how much I needed this and how much I needed to change my life. So I was dead set on changing my life no matter what.

But when I first started to lose the most amount of weight, it was probably Week 6 or so when I ran a whole mile without stopping. It triggered my mind to realize that I can run every day, and that’s when I first started to lose the weight.

THE DEADBOLT: What was the biggest aspect of your belief system that you had to change?

VINNY: I just had a change in the fact that I didn’t like vegetables. I thought I didn’t like anything but meat, potatoes and bread. I had to realize that I do like that stuff. It’s not as good as other stuff when you eat that other stuff all of the time. But if you try some of it, your taste buds change. It’s amazing! I love fresh vegetables. I love all of that stuff.

THE DEADBOLT: Looking back, who had the most impact on you at the ranch?

VINNY: I’d have to say Dolvett [Quince] was my biggest leader at the ranch. He cared so much about me. He wanted it for me almost as bad as I wanted it for myself. He’s just a phenomenal person. Bob was great, and Anna was great, but Dolvett was the one who consistently reminded me that I’m doing this for me, that I’m loving myself right now, and I have to take this time to do it because there won’t be a me to love.

Also Ramon, who was my team mate and best friend at the ranch, a mixture of those two just really helped me slay this dragon.

THE DEADBOLT: So mentally, does it still feel like you’ve got all the weight on, or have you gotten used to it?

VINNY: Mentally, I feel like I’ve lost. I feel great in my mind, my head, and my heart. Every part of my body feels amazing. I’m still getting used to not being the biggest guy in the room. I’m still getting used to not being the funny fat guy. I’m still funny, I’m just not funny because I’m fat. I’m funny because I’m funny.

I’m definitely getting used to those things. It takes a while to change that. People expect you to be one way because that’s how they’ve known you, and I’m not that guy anymore. I’m still fun-loving Vinny, but I’m not that 800 pound gorilla in the room.

THE DEADBOLT: How did the weight loss impact your voice with singing?

VINNY: You know, it’s funny. My voice actually got higher. I can hit a higher octave than I could. I can breathe longer and I can hold notes longer. It definitely helped me a ton. I didn’t change my tone a lot but it did a little bit. But I can still hit as low a note as I ever could and now a bit higher, so it’s been cool.

THE DEADBOLT: Can we expect an album from you soon?

VINNY: Oh yeah, we’re definitely doing that. We’ve got our first single coming out called “Love Me First” with Trailer Choir. Also, I’ll be doing one hell of a solo album. I’m going to be working with a guy named Nathan Chapman, who is Taylor Swift’s producer. He’s going to be working with me on this album. So it’s going to be a blessing to be able to do that.

THE DEADBOLT: What are you looking forward the most in your future?

VINNY: I’m looking forward being successful in music and television. But more than anything, I’m looking forward to being a great dad.