Overweight Teenagers Are Helped Next Week on "Extreme Makeover"  7/3/07

A GROUP OF OVERWEIGHT TEENAGERS STRUGGLING TO SHED POUNDS WITHOUT SURGERY AND A WASHINGTON DC LOBBYIST FOR FITNESS WHO LOST 100 POUNDS IN A YEAR HAVE THEIR LIVES AND LOOKS TRANSFORMED, ON ABC'S "EXTREME MAKEOVER," MONDAY, JULY 9 

Rap Singer Missy Elliot Sends a Special Message to Weight Loss Teens, And ESPN's Linda Cohn Lends Support "Episode 403" - A group of four obese teenagers and Heidi, a 33-year-old lobbyist for fitness from Washington, DC who recently lost 100 pounds, will undergo life-changing experiences together as their lives and looks will be transformed then revealed to their families and friends, on "Extreme Makeover," MONDAY, JULY 9 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Teenage obesity is rapidly climbing in the United States, and "Extreme Makeover" hopes to address this dangerous epidemic through the story of inner city teen Yvette and her classmates Shira, Jahcobie and Kelsey at a weight loss boarding school for teens. Yvette is one of seven children whose homeless family from Compton, CA has been sleeping on the floor of a small house with 15 relatives. No surgical procedures will be performed, just the hard work and dedication of teenagers who have to get their weight under control before it's too late. 

To inspire others into conquering teenage obesity, rap singer Missy Elliot surprises Yvette with a scholarship to the Academy of the Sierras, where she and her friends lose over 250 pounds in two months. In another surprise, Yvette's reveal is a family affair when, unbeknownst to Yvette, she is reunited with her mother, Gwen, who has secretly undergone a mini-makeover of her own by losing 65 pounds as well! And her once homeless family receives a rent-free apartment courtesy of AMCAL Housing, a check for $5,000 from Century Housing More Than Shelter Fund, plus employment from Sebag Electrical.

Yvette's "Extreme Team" included: * Wardrobe stylist June Ambrose, who styles Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Jamie Foxx and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and was named among the "100 Hottest People to Know in Fashion" * Hairstylist Shirlena Allen * Makeup artist Tysuela Hill * Eyebrow artist Anastasia Soare * Hair Salon 50 North

Heidi, a former overweight teen, is a Washington DC lobbyist for fitness. She has lost 100 pounds in a year, but has yet to acquire the fit body she dreams of. After such tremendous weight loss, she needs major surgery to remove over six square feet of excess skin. Heidi also hopes to inspire obese teens and to let them know that their goals are achievable. At her reveal, ESPN's Linda Cohn honors her Washington Sports Club with 200 teen fitness scholarships in her name, and Heidi receives a $20,000 professional wardrobe from fashion designer Dana Buchman to help her get to the next step in her remarkable journey.

Heidi's procedures include rhinoplasty, breast lift with augmentation oof right breast, body lift (tummy tuck, muscle tightening, thigh lift and buttock lift), arm lift, liposuction, LASIK eye surgery, Vbeam laser for rosacea, facials, tooth bonding, four upper da Vinci porcelain veneers and Zoom whitening.

Heidi's "Extreme Team" included:
* Dr. Garth Fisher, named "one of the top plastic surgeons in the United States for facial cosmetic and breast surgery" by Best Doctors in America, who has performed more than 7,000 surgeries.
* Plastic Surgeon Andre Aboolian, M.D., specializing in performing body, arm and leg lifts
* Dentist Dr. William Dorfman, one of the pioneers of tooth whitening. Celebrity clientele includes Matthew Perry, Usher, Ali Landry, Brooke Burke and Melissa Joan Hart
* Dermatologist Ava T. Shamban, owner and director of the Laser Institute for Dermatology in Santa Monica
* Anesthesiologist Edward S. Akkaway, M.D.
* Eye Surgeon Robert K. Maloney, M.D., who has performed more than 25,000 laser surgeries, including LASIK on Cindy Crawford, Michael Douglas, Drew Carey, Michael Bolton, Kenny G and Barry Manilow
* Steven W. Tabak, M.D., F.A.C.C., leading doctor of Cardiovascular Medical Group
* Wardrobe stylist June Ambrose, who styles Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Jamie Foxx and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and was named among the "100 Hottest People to Know in Fashion"
* Master body sculptor and rapid weight-loss expert Michael Thurmond, who trains various red-carpet celebrities
* Porcelain veneers by da Vinci Studios
* Hair restorationist/creative director Flora Fuentes
* Hairstylist Chong U of MHN Hair Studio
* Hair colorist Kim Vo of B2V Salon
* Makeup artist Janice Bremec
* Designer/wardrobe Dana Buchman
* Eyebrow artist Anastasia of Beverly Hills
* Airbrush tan artist Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Coco
* As per Michael Thurmond's customized diet regimens, gourmet custom meals are provided by Sally Ann Catering

    "Extreme Makeover" is produced by New Screen Entertainment and Lighthearted Entertainment. Chuck Bangert, Lou Gorfain and Howard Schultz are the executive producers.

This program is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Source: ABC Press Release