‘1000-lb Best Friends’ Is Back for Season 3, But Where Is Tina Arnold?

TLC's '1000-lb Best Friends' is back with its first new episodes since early 2023. But one familiar cast member is missing.

TLC’s 1000-lb Best Friends is back after a long hiatus. Season 3 of the reality show premieres Oct. 22 and will check in with Vannessa Cross, Meghan Crumpler, and Ashely Sutton — three besties committed to weight loss. But what about Tina Arnold, who appeared on the show in its first two seasons? She’s no longer part of the 1000-lb Best Friends cast.

Tina Arnold ‘no longer affiliated with’ the TLC reality show

Tina appeared alongside her BFFs Vannessa, Meghan, and Ashley in seasons 1 and 2 of 1000-lb Best Friends. But she won’t appear in season 3.

Weeks before TLC confirmed that a new season would air in October 2024, Tina confirmed that she’d moved on.

In an August 18 Instagram post, Tina opened up about her experience with weight loss and the“ yo-yoing, the normal ups and downs of dealing with obesity.”

One person wanted to know if 1000-lb Sisters was coming back to TV. Tina said she had “no information” on a potential premiere date. She added that she was “no longer affiliated with the show.”

Tina didn’t elaborate on what led her to part ways with the TLC series. However, according to her Instagram bio, she is focusing on her work as a YA author and is currently looking for a literary agent.

‘1000-lb Best Friends’ adds new cast members for season 3

Tina’s departure means that two new people will be joining the 1000-lb Sisters cast for season 3. In addition to Vannessa, Meghan, and Ashely, the show will follow Scott and Tina, who are also part of Dr. Procter’s bariatric support group.

Scott weighs nearly 600 pounds and is trying to lose enough weight to qualify for bariatric surgery. Tina is second-guessing her decision to pursue surgery after food addiction derails her weight loss progress.

Vannessa feels rejected by Meghan and Ashely

Meanwhile, Vannessa, Meghan, and Ashely are dealing with tension in their decades-long friendship. Meghan and Ashely feel that Vannessa is gloating about her weight loss, while Vannessa is upset that they aren’t celebrating her accomplishments.

In a teaser for the new season, Megan admits that she and Ashely haven’t been including Vannessa when they hang out. Their rejection understandably hurts Vannessa.

“What did I do? That’s what I want to know,” she says when they finally sit down together.

Vannessa later admits she’s baffled by the breakdown of their friendship.

“My best friends of 30 years exiled me for losing weight?” she says.

According to Meghan, Vannessa keeps saying “hurtful, harmful” things. But Vannessa thinks the problems stem from jealousy.

“You’ve never told me you’re happy for the weight I’ve lost,” she tells Meghan.

1000-lb Best Friends premieres Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

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