Jillian Michaels Has Direct Message for Oprah About Ozempic Use
Britney Spears
Fitness instructor Jillian Michaels recently shared her thoughts on the popular weight loss drug Ozempic, sharing a strong accusation about Oprah Winfrey and her promotion of the drug.
In an interview with Page Six, Michaels directly claimed Winfrey "has a financial incentive with Ozempic." She highlighted how Winfrey is a shareholder of WeightWatchers, also known as WW International, with the former talk show host extending her deal through 2025 a few years ago, as reported by CNBC.
"I believe [WeightWatchers] bought a company that provides access to these drugs, now there is a financial interest in these drugs. I think it’s important to put that out there right off the bat," Michaels went on, arguing that Winfrey should make any possible financial or business connection to Ozempic clear to anyone she talks to about it.
WW International purchased a telehealth company called Sequence in early 2023, and in December, WeightWatchers announced a new membership specifically for users of Ozempic, or GLP-1 medications.
While speaking about Ozempic, Michaels went on to clarify, "I judge no one for turning to them," while also sharing that she hopes to "educate people so that they can make the best decision for themselves."
Winfrey confirmed her use of Ozempic in a revealing interview with People in December, telling the publication, "I was actually recommending it to people long before I was on it myself."
She touched on her past "shame" regarding her weight and use of the weight loss drug, before declaring, "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."
But Winfrey also noted that the drug is only part of the equation, and "if I’m not also working out and vigilant about all the other things, it doesn’t work for me."
For Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, the debate surrounding the use of these drugs for weight loss is ongoing, and many different celebrities have spoken up about using them, including Sharon Osbourne and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Fessler.
Next: Thinking About Trying Ozempic? Here's What You Can Expect Week by Week
