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What to know about the Liver King, controversial influencer in new 'Untold' doc

What to know about the Liver King, controversial influencer in new 'Untold' doc

USA Today15-05-2025

What to know about the Liver King, controversial influencer in new 'Untold' doc
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Viral 75 Hard challenge: Could you go the distance?
Influencers record their progress as they participate in a popular fitness program, 75 Hard challenge.
The Liver King is still at it.
The controversial TikToker is back in a new Netflix documentary from the "Untold" series. "Untold: The Liver King" sees the influencer and YouTuber rise and fall, including coming to terms with his 2022 steroid use controversy. The Liver King built a multimillion-dollar supplement empire following his viral success during the pandemic, among a wave of internet personalities promoting a raw meat "ancestral lifestyle" and intense, primal workouts.
The documentary features his wife, Barbara aka the Liver Queen, and his two sons, who also helped promote the ancestral lifestyle to his millions of followers across platforms.
Here's what you need to know about the king and his dethroning.
Who is the Liver King?
Now-disgraced TikTok influencer the Liver King, born Brian Johnson, went viral during the pandemic for his promotion of an "ancestral lifestyle" centered mainly around a raw meat diet and daily intake of liver, purportedly to increase energy and improve digestion. Such benefits aren't backed by science, however, and the recommendation to eat raw beef isn't supported by any health agency either.
People are eating raw beef on TikTok. Here's why you shouldn't try it.
Johnson promotes what he calls nine "ancestral tenets" as the foundation of his lifestyle, mimicking how early humans supposedly lived.
In 2022, leaked private emails revealed that Johnson had used steroids. He later apologized for lying to his followers in an ABC News interview, before being hit with a $25 million class action lawsuit in January 2023. The lawsuit was dismissed in March 2023 with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
Where is the Liver King now?
The Liver King is less active on social media these days. In the documentary, Johnson said he has discontinued steroid use. He has also pivoted to a more "natural" lifestyle by incorporating fruits and vegetables into his previously strict carnivore diet. However, his supplement business is alive and well.
How to watch 'Untold: The Liver King'
The documentary "Untold: The Liver King" is available to stream now on Netflix with a paid subscription.
The doc is part of the streamer's sports documentary series "Untold." This season will also feature Brett Favre's career and controversies in "The Fall of Favre," set to premiere May 20.
Contributing: Daryl Austin

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