Destinee LaShaee rose to fame when she first appeared on TLC's hit show, My 600-lb Life. She immediately gained the attention of fans, who took a liking to the honest, relatable star, and her true desire to overcome the significant weight gain that had taken over her life. She struck fans as being a likable character that deserved a brighter future, and it was quickly obvious that she struggled with mental health issues that required attention.
Throughout her weight loss journey, LaShaee was highly active on social media and engaged her fans regularly with updates and photos that documented her progress and her ultimate path to healing. Sadly, on February 10th, 2022, media outlets across the nation revealed the tragic news of the passing of Destinee LaShaee, and fans flocked to social media to send messages of condolences and support to her family.
10 Destinee LaShaee Weighed 659 Pounds When The World Met Her On TV
When Destinee LaShaee first appeared on the show, fans were stunned to see the severity of her weight gain and the monumental toll that the extra pounds had taken on LaShaee's life. She weighed in at 669 pounds when the show first began and was well aware of the fact that her very life depended on this program lending her a helping hand. She was quoted as saying, “I need to be able to get help, I need to be able to lose this weight, or they’re going to be burying me next because I don’t think I can live until next year being this big. At this rate, I give myself a couple months.”
9 Destinee LaShaee Was The First Transgender Person On 'My 600-Lb Life'
LaShaee's fans extended their hearts and devoted encouragement to Destinee when she became the first transgender participant to ever appear on the reality television show. She revealed her transgender status during Season 7, which hit the airwaves in March 2019. At this time, fans were introduced to Destinee by her birth name, Matthew Ventress.
8 Destinee LaShaee's Food Addiction
Destinee was not in denial about her issues with food . She was forthcoming about her struggles and open to receiving any assistance that was offered to her. Her addiction was severe and was highlighted in one of the first statements she made on the show. “I just lay here all day and wait for food. I don’t see any of my family and friends, unless they come to see me. I feel like all I’m constantly doing is trying to escape my depression and pain at this point. Food is the only thing I can turn to to do that. I can feel it killing me.”
7 Destinee LaShaee's Mental Health Struggles
LaShaee spoke honestly and candidly about her mental health struggles and was open to sharing her pain with fans. She shared her struggles with depression in an open manner, both on the show and on her social media outlets, which fans tuned in to for regular updates. It was obvious to many that her final days were riddled with mental health struggles and that her depression had taken its toll on the young star.
6 Destinee LaShaee's Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Destinee LaShaee needed to get her life in control and losing the excessive weight she had gained was an uphill battle. She turned to gastric sleeve surgery and saw some immediate results which gave her the motivation to continue along her weight loss journey. Thanks largely in part to the surgery, she started off weighing 669 pounds and was able to shed an impressive 229 pounds in just one year.
5 How Much Weight Destinee LaShaee Lost
By the end of her journey, Destinee LaShaee had made some major life changes and was proving to be dedicated to her weight loss. The pounds were coming off, and she eventually wound up losing well over 500 pounds. This was a huge feat and a massive success story for Destinee, proving to fans that anything is truly possible.
4 Destinee LaShaee's Motivational Messages
Destinee LaShaee was known to share motivational messages of hope and faith on her social media channels, and before long, she became a social media influencer with a huge fan following. She routinely shared inspiring messages online that seemed to uplift her spirits as much as it did that of her fans. Her faith and belief in a higher power were prevalent within these inspiring messages.
3 Why Destinee LaShaee Sued 'My 600-Lb Life'
Starring on My 600-Lb Life proved to be a monumental factor to Destinee LaShaee's huge transformation. However, she had her fair share of issues with the show and was among several other stars of the show that wound up suing the production team. Sources reveal the producers were sued for “negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, and more.” She aired her grievances alongside other notable stars from the hit show, such as Nicole Lewis, Maja Radanovic, Gina Krasely, Alicia Kirgan, and Anna Jeanette Whaley.
2 Destinee LaShaee's Family
Destinee LaShaee came from a loving family who supported her while she battled her food addiction and her inner demons. She had their love and support, as well as their ongoing encouragement. It was evident that her brother Wayne Compton, was heartbroken over her loss, and he was the one who shared the tragic news with fans. Destinee's family is heartbroken over this loss and fondly remember the good times they shared with Destinee and the huge success she saw as part of her weight loss mission.
1 Destinee LaShaee's Last Social Media Posts Were Cryptic
Sadly, the last few posts that Destinee LaShaee shared on social media were riddled with cryptic messages that were seemingly reflective of her ongonig battle with depression. She was able to successfully shed the pounds, but her mental health struggles continued to linger, regardless of her physical success. “Dear God my future is in your hands, and I trust you,” is a post she shared on Instagram on January 9th, which was followed by her last official post to Instagram, which heartbreakingly read, "Gracefully broken."
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