8 celebrities who have spoken out about Ozempic, Hollywood’s controversial weight-loss drug: from Sharon Osbourne and Oprah Winfrey to Sophie Turner, Amy Schumer and model Julia Fox

Sharon Osbourne talks about her experience with Ozempic and the downsides of the drug.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Osbourne said she started taking Ozempic – a diabetes medication that also causes weight loss – last December. She said she lost 42 pounds in less than a year.

Your advice? Be careful when using the drug for weight loss. “I’m too thin and can’t gain weight,” said Osbourne, 71. “I want to because I feel like I’m too skinny. I weigh under 45 kg and I don’t want to be. Be careful what you wish for.”

“You can lose so much weight and it’s easy to become addicted to it, which is very dangerous,” she continued. “I couldn’t stop losing weight and now I’ve lost 42 pounds and can’t afford to lose any more.”

Sharon Osbourne has warned against giving the drug to young people. Photo: The Sharon Osbourne Show

“I started Ozempic last December and haven’t taken it for a while now, but I’m warning you, don’t give it to teenagers, it’s just too easy,” she continued.

Meet Olivia Dunne, the gymnastics star who’s bigger than Beyoncé on TikTok

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic has seen a rapid rise in popularity among those looking to lose weight in recent months. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, an FDA-approved medication to treat diabetes. Over the past year, the drug has become increasingly popular, with many people – including celebrities – trying to get it.

Dozens of celebrities have admitted to using semaglutide, including Elon Musk, including basketball stars Charles Barkley and Amy Schumer. Some, like Schumer, said they would have to stop taking Ozempic if it made them sick. Others, like Khloe KardashianThey have denied using the drug.

“Let’s not discredit my years of workouts,” Kardashian wrote in response to an Instagram comment in which she implied she was taking the medication. “I get up at 6 a.m. five days a week to train. Please stop making assumptions. I guess New Year still means mean people.”

Meet Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards’ daughter Sami – she’s on OnlyFans

What are the risks of using Ozempic?

Boxes of Ozempic, a semaglutide injection medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Photo: Reuters

Despite all the hype surrounding Ozempic, some people may see a downside to the drug: “Ozempic face.”

In an interview with Business Insider in January, cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank said he coined the term after repeatedly seeing patients with thin, gaunt faces.

Frank said that an ozempic face could be caused by losing a lot of fat quickly, causing the face to become sagging. It is most common in patients age 40 and older, whose skin loses elasticity and is more prone to sagging, he added.

“I think a combination of age and the rate of weight loss is the cause of what I call Ozempic face,” Frank said. “When you meet someone you saw not too long ago who did it [suddenly] I’ve lost a lot of weight, especially in that area, so that’s kind of a telltale sign.”

Meet all 12 of Nick Cannon’s children – and their mothers

Which other celebrities have spoken out against Ozempic?

In addition to Osbourne, a number of celebrities have also spoken out against taking the drug for weight loss.

1. Raven Symone

Former Disney star Raven-Symoné told E! their thoughts about the drug. News in July. “I have prediabetes and diabetes in my family,” said the That’s So Raven actress. “If I’m not careful with what I eat, I’m more susceptible to diabetes.”

“That’s why I think it’s very important that we understand that certain drugs are made for certain people and that we don’t just take them away for glamazon purposes,” she explained.

“Do what you have to do. Just make sure you save some medications for the people who actually need them,” the actress added.

2. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey clashed with her longtime partner Weight Watchers when she commented on Ozempic. Photo: TNS

When Winfrey hosted Oprah Daily’s “The Life You Want Class: The State of Weight,” he joined the debate. “Shouldn’t we all just be more accepting, whatever body we’re in? That should be your decision,” Winfrey said. “Even when I first heard about the weight-loss medication, I was having knee surgery at the same time, and I felt like, ‘I have to do this alone.’ Because if I take the medication, it’s the easy way out.”

Jeff Bezos’ multi-million dollar real estate portfolio, from Indian Creek to NY

Earlier this year, WeightWatchers — a company Winfrey has been associated with for years — paid $106 million to acquire a subscription service that prescribes Ozempic and other weight-loss medications. According to US media, the comments caused WeightWatchers shares to fall 15 percent the day after her “easy way out” comments.

“To be clear, I believe that prescription medications are an important and viable option for people struggling with weight and health issues,” Winfrey countered in the Wall Street Journal. “Every person should be able to decide what wellness and health means to them without scrutiny, stigma or shame,” she added.

3. Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer said she tried the drug but it left her too weak to play with her son. Photo: Reuters

In June, the actress and comedian spoke out against the drug on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “A year ago I tried,” she said, “I was one of those who was so sick and couldn’t play with my son.” I was so skinny and he throws a ball at me and [I couldn’t].”

Schumer also wasn’t impressed by celebrities not admitting to their drug use. “Everyone lied and said, ‘Oh, smaller portions.’ Like you’re going to shut the fuck up. You take Ozempic or one of those things, or your job is done,” she added. “Be honest with people. When I got lipo, I said I got lipo.”

4. Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner became angry when she saw the drug being advertised in New York. Photo: @sophiet/InstagramGame of Thrones alum Sophie Turner has also openly expressed her low opinion of the drug. The actress re-shared a post of screw it up.” Turner wrote in her repost: “WTF.”

How NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes makes and spends his millions

5. Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi pointed out the inherent sexism of the Ozempic debate. Photo: @padmalakshmi/Instagram

The Top Chef host spoke to People magazine in April about the weight loss trend of Ozempic and Wegovy (competing brand). “You have to be careful what you do with your body. I eat a lot on Top Chef and understand the trend. But the pressure for women in the media is also very different than for men in the media. So perhaps we need to look deeper into the reasons why we as a society shouldn’t just put it on the shoulders of women who just want to have the same opportunities as men.”

6. Julia Fox

Julia Fox says she would never use Ozempic for weight loss, not least because “there are diabetics who need it.” Photo: Instagram

When the Uncut Gems actress and model was accused of taking Ozempic for weight loss, she countered by denying the rumors in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “All these people come to me and say I’m on the weight loss pills… People say I’m on Ozempic or whatever it’s called.”

“I’m not and I never have… I would never do that,” she said. “There are diabetics who need it,” she added.

How does Selling Sunset star Emma Hernan make and spend her millions?

7. Jameela Jamil

The British actress and podcast host was among the first celebrities to denounce drug use in Hollywood.

“I said what I said about the potential harm when people use diabetes medications just for weight loss,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m afraid for everyone in the next few years. Rich people buy this drug with a prescription for over $1,000. In fact, there are shortages among diabetics. It’s now a mainstream trend in Hollywood,” she added.

“I am deeply concerned, but I cannot change any of you because fatphobia has a stranglehold on our generation,” she lamented.

Additional reporting by Faye Bradley