Next on 'Biggest Loser': Michael's sister?

He's not dating Ashley. He plans to use his prize money to get out of debt. And his younger sister might be a contestant on a future season.

That's some of what Bartlett resident Michael Ventrella said Wednesday, the day after winning "The Biggest Loser" title and the $250,000 cash prize. Ventrella, 31, started the show as its heaviest contestant ever, weighing 526 pounds and wearing a size 58 pants. Today, he weighs less than half that - 262 pounds - and can buy clothes off the rack.

Here's some of what he said in an interview Wednesday:

On his sister, 20-year-old Rosangela Ventrella, who appeared on the show this season: "She did audition (for the show) while I was away. I don't know what came out of it. How she's going to tackle weight loss is a lot different than me. I was open to all the things I needed to do and sacrifice to solve this problem ... she's still in the middle of step one, which is assessing, 'No, I'm not happy like this.' I think my sister understands that it's not going to be easy and I think she's a bit scared."

The biggest challenge of being back in Bartlett: "Having everyone understand what I'm going through. They don't know the commitment and the hard work that I'm putting into this. They think now that I'm home, it's the old Mike and it's party time, but that's not the case. I now live an active lifestyle."

On his love life: "My love life is nonexistent. The only thing I'm learning to love is myself, and that's the only thing I have time for right now. Before I can love someone else, I need to know how to love myself."

What about (fellow contestant) Ashley? "We have such an awesome friendship. Our relationship is special. We flirt and joke around. People say, 'Are you dating?' and we just look at each other and giggle. We're obviously attracted to one another ... but it's one of those things that it went past that, and it won't work."

Plans for the prize money?: Get out of debt. We'll see what happens after Uncle Sam gets hold of me. Debt weighs you down, like the fat on your body.

Will surgery be needed for excess skin?: "Surprisingly enough, my skin's not that bad. You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it yourself. But Dr. H. (the show's physician) was totally blown away. There's some extra skin at the bottom of my stomach ... but I'm gonna fill it in with as much muscle as I possibly can."

On returning to his deejay job: "Music is my life. That will never change. I don't see how deejaying will be a good outlet for me now that I want to pay it forward. It'll always be a hobby. It'll always be a passion. But it's something I want to move on from. Party life and being out late contributed to my obesity."

What he can't wait to do: "Go a theme park with all my little cousins and ride a roller coaster. I have a smaller waist at (age) 31 than I did at 13 or 14. I never got to experience being a kid."