• Kelly Clarkson, Kathy Bates, and Whoopi Goldberg among high-profile figures acknowledging medication-assisted weight loss
• Fitness influencer Janelle Rohner sparked backlash after revealing GLP-1 use while selling weight loss programs
• Stars share mixed experiences with medications, from dramatic success to disappointing results

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (TDR) — The conversation around weight loss medications has shifted from whispered speculation to public acknowledgment, with more than 20 celebrities confirming they’ve used drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or similar prescriptions to manage their weight.

As weight loss medications explode in popularity, Hollywood’s relationship with these drugs has become increasingly transparent. The medications, which include semaglutide-based Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as tirzepatide-based Mounjaro and Zepbound, were originally approved to treat Type 2 diabetes but have gained widespread attention for their weight loss side effects.

Television personalities lead transparency movement

Kelly Clarkson revealed during a May 2024 episode of her talk show that she uses a weight loss medication, though she clarified it wasn’t Ozempic. The singer told Whoopi Goldberg that her doctor pursued her for two years before she agreed to try the drug due to concerning bloodwork. At her heaviest, Clarkson weighed 203 pounds at 5 feet 3 inches tall.

Mine is a different drug than people assume, but I ended up having to do that too because my bloodwork got so bad.

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Whoopi Goldberg herself admitted to using Mounjaro after weighing nearly 300 pounds while filming the 2022 movie “Till.” The talk show host has been vocal about the medication helping her achieve significant weight loss.

Sharon Osbourne took Ozempic and lost 42 pounds in four months but admitted she “went too far,” dropping to under 100 pounds. She told Piers Morgan she struggled to regain weight after stopping the medication, revealing lasting metabolic effects that concerned her.

Hollywood actors share varied experiences

Kathy Bates provided perspective on the medication’s role in her 100-pound weight loss journey over seven years. The Oscar winner emphasized that Ozempic only helped with the final 20 pounds after she’d already lost 80 pounds through lifestyle changes following her Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

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Rebel Wilson acknowledged using weight loss medication to maintain her 70-pound transformation from 2020. She told The Sunday Times that the drugs helped manage her “bottomless appetite for sweets,” though she emphasized the importance of developing healthy habits alongside medication use.

James Corden tried Ozempic but found it ineffective for his needs. The comedian explained that his eating wasn’t driven by hunger, making the appetite-suppressing effects useless. He joked about learning to “out-eat Ozempic” and gaining 40 pounds, though he later clarified the weight gain comment was exaggerated.

Athletes and entertainment figures weigh in

Billie Jean King, the 80-year-old tennis legend, revealed in April 2024 that she started taking Ozempic hoping it would help manage her binge eating disorder. She’s been open about her ongoing therapy and struggles with food, viewing the medication as another tool in her recovery.

Tracy Morgan confirmed his Ozempic use on the “Today” show in August 2023, saying it “cuts my appetite in half.” The comedian added that he was “not letting it go,” crediting the medication with helping him control his eating habits.

Charles Barkley shared that he lost 65 pounds using Mounjaro after reaching 355 pounds. The NBA Hall of Famer told listeners he gained 105 pounds and traditional diet and exercise weren’t sufficient to lose such significant weight.

Reality television stars embrace openness

Heather Gay from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” admitted feeling “pressure” to use Ozempic to keep up with thinner friends. She revealed she’d been using the medication “for a long time” and credited “modern medicine” for her transformation during the show’s Season 5 premiere.

Scott Disick wasn’t embarrassed when Mounjaro was accidentally shown in his refrigerator on “The Kardashians.” The reality star later insisted he felt no shame about using the medication to manage his weight.

Tori Spelling tried Mounjaro after struggling to lose weight following her son Beau’s 2017 birth. However, she reported the medication didn’t work for her despite following medical guidance, and she eventually discontinued use.

Negative experiences and warnings

Lottie Moss, Kate Moss’s younger sister, called Ozempic “the worst decision I ever made” during a September 2024 podcast episode. After taking a dosage meant for someone over 220 pounds, the model experienced severe dehydration, seizures, and an emergency room visit. She couldn’t keep food or water down and described the experience as “the scariest thing” in her life.

Kandi Burruss from “Real Housewives of Atlanta” tried Ozempic in 2023 but experienced no weight loss or appetite suppression. She described feeling depressed when the medication failed to produce results, telling listeners she continued eating full meals with appetizers and desserts.

Amy Schumer attempted Ozempic but stopped due to severe side effects. She was among those who “felt so sick and couldn’t play with my son,” and has since called out celebrities who won’t admit to using weight loss medications.

Fitness industry controversy erupts

The most controversial admission came from Janelle Rohner, a fitness influencer with over 5 million TikTok followers. In April 2025, Rohner revealed she’d been using a GLP-1 medication while selling her $200 “Macros 101” weight loss course without disclosing the medication use.

Rohner insisted that “GLP-1s are not magic” and that she still tracked macros, worked out five days weekly, and maintained healthy habits. However, followers accused her of misleading them and demanded refunds. She eventually offered to refund anyone who purchased her course within 11 months of her disclosure.

I still had to show up: show up for my meals, track my macros, drink my water, go on walks, do my workouts — everything that I already teach and believe in. It just helped me regain a sense of control.

Tech and business leaders join conversation

Elon Musk confirmed using Wegovy when an X user complimented his appearance in 2022. He later posted a photo captioned “Ozempic Santa” during Christmas 2024, clarifying he was technically using Mounjaro. The billionaire has been candid about combining fasting with medication.

Oprah Winfrey has become an outspoken advocate for weight loss medications, crediting them with helping her manage weight fluctuations. She told People magazine that having a “medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier” feels like “relief, like redemption, like a gift.”

Rising voices defend medication use

Nikki Glaser fiercely defended Ozempic use during a March 2025 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The comedian encouraged people to be more open about using the medication, arguing that shame comes from “thin people who want you to stay fat.”

She added that people’s anger about others losing weight reveals insecurity rather than legitimate concern about health or medication safety.

Caroline Stanbury from “Real Housewives of Dubai” told women over 40 that Ozempic is “one of the best tools if you’re able to use it.” She admitted using the medication after struggling with weight loss and encouraged honesty rather than pretending the transformation came solely from traditional methods.

Medical context and considerations

According to the National Library of Medicine, while Ozempic is primarily approved for Type 2 diabetes, Wegovy uses the same active ingredient for weight management in adults with obesity. Mounjaro is approved for diabetes while Zepbound, containing the same medication, is approved for obesity treatment.

Novo Nordisk, Ozempic’s manufacturer, has stated it does not support off-label use of its medications. However, prescription practices have expanded as demand for weight loss solutions continues growing.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and appetite suppression. More serious but rare complications have been reported, including circulation issues and temporary vision changes. Medical experts emphasize these medications work best when combined with lifestyle modifications and under proper medical supervision.

Studies show that one year after stopping the medication, participants typically regain two-thirds of their prior weight loss, underscoring the importance of developing sustainable habits alongside medication use.

Should celebrities face criticism for being transparent about medication-assisted weight loss, or does their honesty help destigmatize a legitimate medical treatment?

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