The 1000-lb Best Friends Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking 2025 Weight Loss Updates & New Careers

The four larger-than-life personalities from TLC’s hit reality series, 1000-lb Best Friends, have captivated audiences with their raw, emotional, and often hilarious journey to battle morbid obesity. As of December 2025, the cast—Meghan Crumpler, Tina Arnold, Vannessa Cross, and Ashley Sutton—have continued their life-altering transformations, with some achieving staggering milestones that have completely reshaped their lives and careers, including a massive 250-pound loss and a surprising new role as a published author.

The show, which follows the four best friends as they navigate the challenges of extreme weight loss, bariatric surgery, and maintaining their lifelong bond, returned for its highly anticipated Season 3 in the fall of 2024. This latest season has revealed the dramatic and often unexpected results of their dedication, highlighting the triumphs and setbacks that come with such a monumental health journey.

The Complete 1000-lb Best Friends Cast: Full Profiles and Biographies

The core cast of 1000-lb Best Friends is a tight-knit group of women from the Atlanta, Georgia area, united by their decades-long friendship and a shared commitment to overcome morbid obesity. Here is a look at the four main stars, including their key biographical details and initial starting points on their weight loss journey.

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• Vannessa Cross: The Survivor
  • Full Name: Vannessa Cross
  • Approximate Age: 47 (Born August 1978)
  • Hometown: Georgia, USA
  • Weight Loss Goal: To qualify for bariatric surgery and regain her health and mobility.
  • Key Struggle: Emotional eating and past trauma.
• Meghan Crumpler: The Trailblazer
  • Full Name: Meghan Crumpler
  • Approximate Age: Early to Mid-40s
  • Hometown: Georgia, USA
  • Weight Loss Goal: To lose enough weight to qualify for skin removal surgery and live an independent life.
  • Key Struggle: Battling food addiction and relationship challenges.
• Tina Arnold: The Dedicated Mom & Author
  • Full Name: Tina Arnold
  • Approximate Age: Early to Mid-40s
  • Hometown: Georgia, USA
  • Weight Loss Goal: To be a healthier, more active mother for her children and improve her overall quality of life.
  • Key Struggle: Maintaining consistency and managing the emotional toll of the journey.
• Ashley Sutton: The Determined Friend
  • Full Name: Ashley Sutton
  • Approximate Age: 40 (Born January 1985)
  • Hometown: Georgia, USA
  • Weight Loss Goal: To qualify for gastric sleeve surgery and eventually start a family.
  • Key Struggle: Balancing her own health goals with the needs of her friends.

The Shocking Transformations: 2025 Cast Weight Loss Updates

The latest updates from the cast are nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the incredible determination required to achieve significant weight loss. Under the guidance of renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Charles Procter Jr., who is also known for his work on 1000-lb Sisters, each woman has found new victories in her ongoing battle against morbid obesity.

Vannessa Cross: The 250-Pound Milestone and New Confidence

Vannessa Cross has arguably had the most dramatic and shocking transformation among the four friends. After successfully undergoing bariatric surgery, Vannessa committed fully to the lifestyle changes required, resulting in a phenomenal loss of up to 250 pounds from her starting weight of 450 lbs.

Her journey culminated in a major milestone: qualifying for and receiving skin removal surgery. In recent updates, Vannessa weighed in at a stunning 195 pounds, marking a complete overhaul of her life. This physical change has led to a profound increase in her confidence, with Vannessa openly discussing her newfound desire for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and a significantly improved and "on fire" sex life. Her story is a powerful testament to the fact that it is never too late to embrace a new beginning.

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Meghan Crumpler and Ashley Sutton: Sustained Success After Surgery

Both Meghan Crumpler and Ashley Sutton have also made monumental strides since their respective bariatric surgeries. Meghan, who was the first of the group to undergo the procedure, continues to show sustained weight loss and has achieved significant personal freedom. One of her most celebrated recent achievements was finally becoming a licensed driver, a massive step toward independence that was previously limited by her size.

Ashley Sutton, who received gastric sleeve surgery during Season 1, has also revealed a stunning physical transformation in her latest social media posts, showcasing a much smaller physique. Her commitment remains focused on improving her health to eventually fulfill her dream of starting a family, a goal that Dr. Procter had initially advised against until she reached a healthier weight. The friends’ support for each other through these surgeries has been a central theme, highlighting the power of their bond.

Tina Arnold’s Unexpected New Career: From Reality Star to Published Author

While the weight loss journey is the main focus of the TLC series, Tina Arnold has surprised fans by carving out a unique and successful new career path: becoming a published author.

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This pivot has demonstrated her multifaceted personality and ambition beyond the reality television screen. Tina has published several books, including the titles Sweet Lantern and Broken Lantern, as part of her "Lantern" series. Most recently, she released a book titled The Plan in July 2024, showing a continuous and active presence in the literary world. This new venture provides a fascinating contrast to the physical struggles documented on the show, proving that the cast members are pursuing personal and professional goals alongside their health transformations.

Tina’s journey continues to be an inspiration, as she balances her career, her role as a dedicated mother, and her ongoing commitment to her health, which has also resulted in a noticeable physical transformation.

The Future of the Best Friends: What to Expect Next

With Season 3 airing in late 2024, fans are eager to see what challenges and victories the friends will face next. The show continues to explore deeply relatable themes, including the struggle with food addiction, the complexities of navigating relationships during a major life change, and the crucial importance of a supportive network.

• Surgical Milestones: The next major focus for the cast will likely be further skin removal surgeries, as the massive weight loss leaves behind excess skin that can cause health issues and discomfort.
• Relationship Dynamics: The series has always focused on the friendship itself, and Season 3 continues to explore how their differing weight loss paces and life changes—such as Meghan's marriage and subsequent relationship changes, and Vannessa's extreme confidence boost—affect their bond.
• The Doctor's Role: Dr. Charles Procter Jr. remains a central figure, guiding the women through the medical and psychological aspects of their journey, stressing that bariatric surgery is a tool, not a cure, for their lifelong struggle with weight.

The 1000-lb Best Friends cast represents a powerful group of women who are not only fighting for their health but also redefining their identities. From Vannessa's incredible physical makeover to Tina's surprising literary career, their stories are a fresh and compelling look at the reality of extreme weight loss in the public eye.