Who Is The Liver King?
The Liver King scandal revolves around Brian Johnson, a social media influencer known as the “Liver King,” who gained significant attention and a large following for promoting an “ancestral” diet. This diet primarily consisted of raw animal organs, including liver, bull’s testicles, and cow’s lungs. Johnson’s muscular physique and his claims of achieving it naturally through this unique diet were central to his online persona.
The Scandal OF Steroids
However, the authenticity of Liver King’s claims came into question when leaked emails suggested that he was spending around $11,000 a month on steroids. This revelation contradicted his assertions of attaining his muscular build purely through his diet and lifestyle. The leaked emails exposed him as a heavy steroid user, which sparked widespread criticism and backlash from his followers and the wider online community.
Johnson, who had amassed millions of followers on platforms like TikTok, faced significant scrutiny following these revelations. His entire brand was built on the premise of achieving a robust physique through natural means, specifically by following a diet that he claimed was based on ancestral eating habits. The scandal not only questioned his personal credibility but also cast doubt on the effectiveness and authenticity of the diet he promoted.
The Criticism For Hiding Steroid Use
The backlash was intensified by the fact that Johnson had become a prominent figure in the fitness and wellness community, with many people looking up to him for inspiration and guidance. His diet and lifestyle choices had been a subject of fascination and emulation for many of his followers. The steroid scandal, therefore, not only affected his reputation but also had broader implications for those who had adopted his dietary practices.
Following the scandal, Johnson faced criticism from various quarters, including other fitness influencers and bodybuilders. The controversy highlighted the issues of authenticity and transparency in the world of social media influencers, where appearances can be deceiving, and the truth behind personal branding can be complex.
In response to the scandal, Johnson eventually admitted to using steroids. This admission was a significant turn of events, given his previous staunch denials and the foundational principles of his online persona. His apology and admission brought to light the pressures and realities of maintaining a certain image in the highly competitive and appearance-focused world of fitness influencing.
25 Million Dollar Class Action Lawsuit
The Liver King, also known as Brian Johnson, faced a significant legal challenge in the form of a class-action lawsuit. This lawsuit, which sought $25 million in damages, was filed against Johnson and his companies, The Fittest Ever LLC and Ancestral Supplements LLC. The central allegation in the lawsuit was that Johnson used deceptive marketing practices to promote his products, a claim that gained traction following his public admission of steroid use.
The plaintiff, Christopher Altomare, accused Johnson of misleading customers by hiding his steroid use while promoting his workout products. This deception, according to the lawsuit, was critical because Johnson’s entire brand and the appeal of his products were built on the premise of achieving a muscular and robust physique through natural means, specifically his ancestral diet. The lawsuit argued that Johnson’s undisclosed steroid use significantly undermined the authenticity of his claims and the perceived effectiveness of his products.
Class Action Lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit represented a broader group of consumers who felt deceived by Johnson’s marketing tactics. These consumers had purchased Johnson’s products under the belief that they could achieve similar physical results through natural methods, as portrayed by Johnson. The lawsuit highlighted the potential consequences of deceptive marketing practices, especially in the health and wellness industry, where consumers often rely on the perceived authenticity and personal testimony of influencers.
Johnson’s admission of steroid use was a pivotal moment that fueled the lawsuit. His online persona and business model were heavily reliant on the narrative of achieving a primeval, robust physique through an ancestral diet, devoid of modern supplements or drugs. The revelation of his steroid use not only damaged his personal credibility but also raised serious questions about the legitimacy of his business practices.
The lawsuit’s implications extended beyond Johnson and his companies. It underscored the growing concerns about the reliability of health and fitness advice disseminated through social media platforms. Influencers like Johnson, who amass large followings and wield significant influence over consumer choices, face a heightened level of scrutiny regarding the authenticity of their claims and the transparency of their marketing practices.
As the legal battle unfolded, it remained crucial to monitor the developments and await the court’s final decision. The outcome of the Liver King class-action lawsuit was poised to set a precedent in the influencer marketing domain, particularly concerning the accountability and ethical responsibilities of social media personalities in promoting health-related products and lifestyles.
The Plaintiff: Christopher Altomare
Christopher Altomare emerged as a key figure in the legal battle against Brian Johnson, known as the Liver King, by filing a class-action lawsuit. Altomare, a resident of New York, took legal action against Johnson and his companies – Ancestral Supplements, LLC and The Fittest Ever, LLC. The lawsuit was a significant development in the unfolding controversy surrounding the Liver King, particularly after his admission of steroid use and the subsequent backlash.
Food-borne Illness
The lawsuit filed by Altomare was not just about the steroid scandal; it encompassed broader allegations against Johnson’s business practices. Altomare accused Johnson of deceptive marketing, claiming that he falsely advertised his supplement products and promoted a “dangerous and life-threatening diet.” This diet, heavily based on the consumption of raw animal organs, was alleged to have caused “severe” food-borne illnesses. The lawsuit sought to hold Johnson accountable for the potential health risks associated with his dietary recommendations and the misleading promotion of his supplements.
The Influence Of Social Media
Altomare’s legal action highlighted the growing concerns about the influence of social media personalities in the health and wellness sector. Johnson, through his Liver King persona, had gained a massive following by promoting an ancestral lifestyle, which included a specific diet and the use of his branded supplements. Altomare’s lawsuit brought to light the potential dangers of such influence when not backed by scientific evidence or when it involves misleading claims.
The case against Johnson, spearheaded by Altomare, was not just a personal grievance; it represented a larger group of consumers who felt deceived by the Liver King’s marketing tactics. These consumers had been led to believe that they could achieve significant health and fitness improvements by following Johnson’s advice and using his products. The lawsuit, therefore, had broader implications for consumer protection and the ethical responsibilities of influencers.
Ancestral Eating: Increased Chances Of Illness
The Liver King, known as Brian Johnson, faced significant controversy not only for his steroid use but also for promoting a diet that many experts considered unhealthy and potentially dangerous. His diet, which heavily featured the consumption of raw animal organs, raised concerns about the risks of foodborne illnesses and the overall nutritional balance.
Johnson’s diet was based on what he termed “ancestral eating,” which involved consuming raw liver, bull’s testicles, cow’s lungs, and other animal organs. This approach was marketed as a natural and primal way of eating, supposedly linked to the diets of our ancient ancestors. However, health experts have raised alarms about the risks associated with consuming raw meat and organs. These risks include exposure to bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, parasites, and other pathogens that can cause serious foodborne illnesses.
The lawsuit against Johnson included concerns about the promotion of this diet. Plaintiffs argued that not only did Johnson deceive customers about his steroid use, but he also potentially endangered their health by advocating for a diet that contradicts established food safety guidelines. The consumption of raw animal products is generally discouraged by health authorities due to the high risk of contamination and illness.
The Responsibility Of Influencers
Moreover, the lawsuit highlighted the broader issue of influencers promoting health-related practices without adequate scientific backing or consideration of potential risks. Johnson’s large following and influential status meant that his dietary recommendations could have a significant impact on public behavior, potentially leading to harmful health outcomes.
The controversy surrounding the Liver King’s diet is part of a larger conversation about the responsibility of influencers in the health and wellness space. With the rise of social media, individuals like Johnson can rapidly gain a large audience and significant influence over their followers’ lifestyle choices. This influence comes with a responsibility to ensure that the information and practices being promoted are safe, healthy, and based on sound scientific principles.
The Supplements Were A Scam
The controversy surrounding the Liver King, Brian Johnson, extended beyond his diet and steroid use to include serious allegations about the supplements he promoted. These supplements, which were an integral part of his brand, came under scrutiny for potentially being a scam.
Johnson’s supplements were marketed as part of his ancestral lifestyle brand, which claimed to help users achieve a robust physique and improved health through natural means. However, the credibility of these supplements was called into question following the revelation of his steroid use. The lawsuit against Johnson alleged that he deceived customers by attributing his muscular build to these supplements and his diet, while in reality, it was steroid use that played a significant role.
This deception was particularly concerning because it potentially misled consumers into believing that they could achieve similar results by using these supplements. Many of Johnson’s followers purchased these products under the impression that they were a key factor in achieving a physique like the Liver King’s. The lawsuit argued that this constituted deceptive marketing, as the effectiveness of the supplements was overstated, and their role in Johnson’s physical development was misrepresented.
Vitamins and Supplements Scam
The controversy highlights a broader issue in the health and wellness industry, where the efficacy of supplements is often overstated, and their benefits are sometimes not supported by scientific evidence. In the case of the Liver King, the supplements were a part of a larger narrative that promised extraordinary health benefits through a return to ancestral practices. This narrative was compelling to many, but the lawsuit suggested that it was built on misleading claims.
The allegations against Johnson’s supplements serve as a reminder of the importance of scrutinizing health and wellness products, especially those promoted by influencers. Consumers are often swayed by personal testimonies and the perceived authenticity of influencers, but this case demonstrates that such endorsements may not always be reliable or truthful.
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Liver King FAQs
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Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
