Oprah Winfrey has long been a household name, known not just for her media empire but for her openness about her weight loss journey. Over the years, she’s shared her struggles with weight, trying various diets and programs, including her high-profile involvement with Weight Watchers (now WW), where she became a spokesperson and investor.
Despite her successes, Oprah has been candid about the ongoing challenge of maintaining a healthy weight. For many of her fans, her honesty about body image and self-acceptance has been inspiring, showing that even one of the most powerful women in the world isn’t immune to such challenges.
In recent years, Winfrey has revealed that she's using Ozempic to aid in her weight loss efforts. She's been transparent about her decision, discussing how the medication has helped her feel more in control of her eating habits and has contributed to her overall well-being. "The fact that there's a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for," she told People in 2023.
The confession was controversial for some, as she has been the face of Weight Watchers for years, and decided to step down to a less-involved role. Her, openness about her experience has sparked conversations about the role of medication in weight management and has provided hope for many who may be struggling with their own weight.
Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of American Idol and now a successful singer and talk show host, has been open about her fluctuating weight throughout her career. She’s discussed how her weight has changed with pregnancies and the pressures she’s faced from the media. Unlike many in the spotlight, Clarkson has remained steadfast in promoting body positivity, often criticizing the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women.
For years, she’s been a role model for her fans, showing that success and self-worth aren’t tied to a number on the scale. Her talk show,The Kelly Clarkson Show, has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment and Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host. Clarkson's relatability and authenticity have made the show a favorite among viewers, particularly because it feels less scripted and more conversational compared to other daytime shows.
Clarkson has shared that she's using a drug as part of her weight loss journey. She's expressed that the medication is not Ozempic, but performs in the same way. “Everybody thinks it’s Ozempic. It’s not," she told Whoopi Goldberg. "Something that aids in helping break down the sugar — obviously my body doesn’t do it right.”
Clarkson has also stressed the importance of overall health and well-being, emphasizing that weight loss is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle. “I eat a healthy mix. I dropped weight because I’ve been listening to my doctor — a couple years I didn’t. And 90 percent of the time I’m really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway. I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat — sorry, vegetarians in the world!” she told People, noting that “walking in the city is quite the workout.”
Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View and an EGOT-winning performer, has always been known for her confidence and outspoken nature rather than for fitting into Hollywood’s narrow beauty standards. Throughout her career, Goldberg has embraced her unique identity and never seemed concerned with the pressure to conform to traditional ideals of thinness.
For many fans, her unapologetic approach to life, both in terms of her appearance and her opinions, has been refreshing in an industry that often emphasizes image above all else. Now, however, she credits the drug Mounjaro for her rapid weight loss.
"I'm doing that wonderful shot that works for folks who need some help and it’s been really good for me,” Goldberg told Kelly Clarkson on her talk show. The drug is similar to Ozempic, but under a different name Mounjaro. “I’ve lost almost two people... My weight has come and gone, and up and down, but it’s never been an issue for me because I don’t listen to what other people say about me so it has never been a problem."
“But I think it’s very hard for people to just know what a normal weight would be... Everyone has something to say but no one said, ‘How you doing?’ Because it involves so many other things... I always felt like me, and then I saw me and thought, ‘Oh, that’s a lot of me,’” Goldberg added. “You have to take responsibility for yourself and see what’s going on with your body.”
Sharon Osbourne, the sharp-tongued former host of The Talk and wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, has had a very public relationship with weight loss and cosmetic procedures. Over the years, she has tried various diets and surgeries to manage her weight, even undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
Her journey has been an open one, sharing the ups and downs of her struggle in a way that many fans find relatable. Osbourne has often talked about how these changes have impacted her confidence and how difficult it is to keep the weight off over time.
In recent interviews, Sharon has admitted to using Ozempic to shed pounds, joining the list of celebrities openly acknowledging their use of the diabetes medication for weight loss. While she’s expressed satisfaction with the results, Osbourne has also been critical of how easily celebrities turn to such drastic measures for quick fixes.
"You can lose so much weight, and it's easy to become addicted to that, which is very dangerous." Even after she stopped taking the drug, she found it hard to regain weight, noting to People, "I started using it last year and I've lost a lot of weight. I'm under 100 pounds. I'm too gaunt and I can't put any weight on I want to because I feel I'm too skinny."
Charles Barkley, the Hall of Fame basketball player and beloved TNT sports commentator, has always been larger than life—both physically and in personality. Known for his on-court dominance and his off-court humor, Barkley has never fit the traditional mold of a trim athlete, and he’s been open about his weight struggles, especially in retirement.
In interviews, he’s often joked about his size, but behind the humor, he’s admitted that weight gain has been a serious issue for him, impacting his health as he’s gotten older.
"My doctor told me, she says, 'There's a lot of fat young people. Ain't a lot of fat old people. They're all dead.'" Barkley has revealed that he's using Mounjaro to support his weight loss goals. "I'm working out. I'm taking my shot once a week," he mentioned on The Pat McAfee Show.
He has also emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a positive outlook. "I started at 352 [pounds]," he said. "And I'm down to 290. I'm starting to feel like a human being."
