July 31 2008
Hellga is easily one of the most recognizable of the American Gladiators, and fans can be heard chanting "Hell-ga! Hell-ga! Hell-ga!" whenever she enters the arena.
Hellga is actually Robin Coleman, a gifted athlete and competitor. She's been involved in bodybuilding, rowing, professional wrestling, and she was one of eight women to compete in the first ever World's Strongest Woman competition in 2001. She's also an actress, trained in method acting and improvisational comedy.
Read on to learn more about this inspirational and talented woman!
Question: Hi Hellga! Thanks for taking the time do answer my questions today - I'm a big fan of yours!
Hellga: Thanks! I love my fans!
Q: How did you end up being cast on American Gladiators?
Hellga: When NBC execs heard the legend of the 6'1" Scandinavian Strongwoman, they had to have me on the show. American Gladiators has always been a dream of mine, it's hard to believe even now that I'm one of a very amazing and select few. I am so proud to be among my teammates! It is a source of constant pride for me.
Q: Where did the name 'Hellga' come from? Were there other potential gladiator names being considered for you?
Hellga: Originally they thought I would be 'Amazon', but two days prior to our first day of shooting, I was given a Bavarian Beer Girl outfit and was told my name was Helga. The other gladiators - all present for our first costume check - LOVED it. I wasn't so sure... actually I recall feeling a bit faint. Then Hulk Hogan told NBC that I needed and extra L, so I could put the HELL in Hellga, which I love. Then I heard the "Hellga Hellga" chant, and the rest is history.
Q: I read your bio and saw photos at your website, and couldn't believe those pictures of you at 160 pounds! You look so much prettier now though - are you comfortable in your own skin, or do you ever wish you were back to that "skinny" weight?
Hellga: Ha! I was 160 for about 5 hours for my first bodybuilding competition. Getting down that far was a difficult path, and one that I chose to see just what I could do. As a teen I weighed as much as 265. I had once dreamed of just feeling OK in a swimsuit, not getting on stage in a bikini and asking people to judge every inch! But it was a right of passage for me. I did another competition in 2006 where I got down to about 180 (more muscle now), and it is nice to be slimmer. I fight my body constantly to keep my weight down. It LOVES 205+, and that's when I am at my most powerful. For most athletes, what your body can do is more important that how it looks. I still like fitting in my cute designer jeans though. A girl's gotta have priorities.
But for the record, I am working with my bodybuilding coach of 5 years, Robert Sherman, and will be bringing a tighter body to the next season. Probably 190 or so. Once you see your booty in HD and a 16:9 aspect ratio, it makes you feel more love for the stair climber.
Q: What has the fan reaction been like since American Gladiators began?
Hellga: The fans are fabulous! I have received so many wonderful emails, letters, drawings... and people on the street are great too! I've had many people come up to me with their practiced head nod and exclaim "It's Hellga Time!" I'm happy to report that people say I look "prettier and slimmer" than on TV. The kids are my absolute favorite. I have tribes of children who dress up like Hellga to watch the show every Monday night! I also get a lot of moving letters from other 'big girls' saying how grateful they are that I'm out there. It can be a difficult and trying thing being tall and voluptuous, especially in your teens. I'm glad that I might make it a bit more OK for kids out there who feel different. I've always been different, and it rocks!
Q: Can you describe what it feels like to be launched off the platform in Assault?
Hellga: Ah, Assault. To get launched feels like the best roller coaster you can imagine in reverse, with the log ride splash at the end. Or perhaps I would say it feels like the fastest chiropractic adjustment ever. It's a flash of explosives with a very hard tug on the body harness, then you see the platform where you were standing, then the water below. Like three snapshots and SPLASH! Darn, there go my eyelashes...
Q: You're also an actress and have done work behind the scenes in television and film. What projects are you currently working on?
Hellga: I just finished my first film - I play the role of Big Sal in Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, which they just announced will be released Feb 20, 2009! A comedic role, I had the time of my life - even have a fight scene with Madea! I got to work with Mr. Perry, Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Vanessa Ferlito and Sofia Vergara. I'm very happy to see that Mr. Perry has re-upped with Lionsgate, as I would love to work with him again!
I also just shot an episode for Bravo network's Tabatha's Takeover, which was a fun project that I worked on with Venom, Panther and Steel. And I'm auditioning - a constant in the life of every actor - and working on doing speaking engagements.
