TV fitness host: I was misunderstood when I said I wish I’d married a man

TV fitness host Jillian Michaels has said she was “misunderstood” in a recent interview when she said she wished she had married a man.

The reality star – who rose to fame as a personal trainer on the US version of The Biggest Loser – previously hosted her own show, Losing It With Jillian, and appeared on talk show The Doctors.

Ms Michaels has two children with her same-sex partner Heidi Rhoades, but said recently: “The gay thing has always been hard for me. When Heidi and I are out and somebody older ‘Are you sisters?’ I say, ‘We’re friends’.

“I guess it comes from thinking that they will be shocked or disturbed. Look, I wish I had some strapping football player husband.

“It would be such a dream to be ‘normal’ like that, but I’m just not.”

Speaking to People today, the fitness host said her comments have been misunderstood.

She said: “I am deeply disheartened and sorry to hear that members of the gay community have misunderstood the points I was trying to make about being ‘out’.

“I attempted to shed light on how hard and scary it can be to be out. That gay families get attacked and even small daily interactions involve others being ‘shocked and disturbed’ by the gay lifestyle.

“I was saying if along the way in my life that had been a choice I would have made it, but it’s not who I am.

“Gay is not a choice. If I was ashamed of who I am, I would be in the closet. Considering my family was on the cover of People magazine, I think I’m pretty far from that.”