If you are looking to lose weight, you may have heard of a drug that can help you achieve this without the sweat of exercise or the struggle of changing your lifestyle. Ozempic, which used to be associated with the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been getting a lot of buzz lately and has become popular among celebrities who are now turning to it for fast weight loss results. From those who only need to lose a few pounds to those who have been open about their long-term weight struggles, this drug has captured the attention of a wide audience.
It has become so popular that some celebrities have come out to brag about their weight loss, all thanks to this drug. Even X’s owner, Elon Musk, playfully referred to himself as “Ozempic Santa“.
This surge in popularity has not gone unnoticed in the Black community, as it has stirred up conversations about wellness, how we see our bodies, and complex healthcare solutions.
According to survey data from KFF, about 1 in 8 adults in the United States has used a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic or Mounjaro at some point in their life. While most adults who have used these drugs were to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, about 2 in 5 adults used GLP-1 drugs solely to lose weight.
What is Ozempic?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, in 2017 to improve blood sugar (glucose), along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes. In 2020, the drug was granted an additional indication to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease. In 2025, the FDA expanded the benefits of Ozempic to a new patient population that needs critical treatment options to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
The active ingredient semaglutide simulates a hormone called GLP-1 that regulates blood sugar levels. It mimics a hormone that tells your brain you feel full and works to suppress your appetite. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body. Regulating appetite and slowing digestion can lead to reduced food intake and, for many, significant weight loss.
Ozempic is approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes but not for weight loss.
The NHS warns that semaglutide medication should only be taken if it’s prescribed for you by a specialist weight management service. “A doctor might recommend it if diet and exercise changes have not worked on their own,” says NHS UK.
What Black Celebs are Saying about Ozempic
Videos documenting Ozempic-assisted weight loss have gained hundreds of millions of views on TikTok. But as its popularity surges, so does the debate: Is Ozempic the long-awaited solution to weight loss or just another quick fix that could fuel deeper insecurities about our bodies?
From the time that Ozempic went viral on TikTok and led to a shortage of the drug, Black celebrities and others have been speaking up about it, sharing a wide range of perspectives, from praise and personal testimonials to caution and concern over its use.
Photo source: Facebook / Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
This media mogul’s weight journey has been public for decades. Though Winfrey hasn’t revealed a specific brand, in 2023, she acknowledged using a weight loss drug, which many have speculated to be Ozempic.
“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. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself,” she told People.
Oprah called for an end to the stigma surrounding weight loss choices.
Photo Source: Alex Erde from Scarsdale, United States, via Wikimedia Commons
Tracy Morgan
The comedian first mentioned he was using the medication for weight loss during an August episode of “Today with Hoda & Jenna” in 2023. For him, the drug was just a supplement to his consistent exercise regimen.
Sharing his experience with Ozempic, Morgan stated: “That’s how this weight got lost. … I went and got a prescription and I got Ozempic. I’m not letting it go,” he said, adding, “It cuts my appetite in half. Now I only eat half a bag of Doritos.”
Photo source: Instagram / whoopigoldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
The award-winning actress has been very open about using a weight-loss drug to improve her health. According to her, she decided after filming Till, the 2022 biographical drama about Mamie Till-Bradley.
Speaking on an episode of The View, Goldberg disclosed she used Mounjaro, a similar semaglutide-based drug, to lose weight after reaching nearly 300 pounds during filming. “I had taken all those steroids… and one of the things that’s helped me drop the weight was the Mounjaro.”
However, some other celebrities like Macy Gray have had a not-too-good experience, while others have criticized the use of drugs originally meant for diabetic patients for weight loss.
Photo source: Jan Prunk / Wikimedia Commons
Macy Gray
As for the Grammy Award-winning singer, she had a frustrating experience with Ozempic. Rather than help her lose weight, it left her feeling ill.
While filming the reality show The Surreal Life, Gray stated, “Oh, boy, my stomach hurts. I’ve just been constipated…I took Ozempic, and now I can’t go to the bathroom, and I was up all night.”
“I’m the only person in the world who had a bad reaction to Ozempic. I’m so pissed off. All my friends are 30 pounds smaller, and I just got sick,” she told The I Paper.
Gray’s declaration highlighted the side effects some Ozempic users experience.
Photo source: Instagram / kandi
Kandi Burruss
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum tried the weight loss drug but didn’t get the expected result. She was left disappointed to say the least.
“When you see it works for other people and it doesn’t work for you, it makes you depressed. Realistically, it makes you feel like, ‘What is wrong with me? Why is it not working for me?” Kandi admitted when she appeared on PageSix’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast.
Photo source: Facebook / Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson
The Black-ish star, who has type 2 diabetes, has expressed his concerns over the growing popularity of the drug, which has created a shortage that deprives diabetes patients of their medication. He hopes the trend stops.
“I will say this, it’s creating a shortage for those of us who need the medicine that we need and not for weight loss issues, but for our health,” he told People in 2023.
Photo source: Facebook / Raven-Symoné
Raven-Symoné
Sharing her thoughts on the Ozempic buzz, the actress told E! News in 2023 that she believes the drug should be for people whose overall health depends on it.
“I am more susceptible to getting diabetes. So, I think it’s very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people, and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes. Do what you gotta do, just make sure you save the medication for the people who need it,” the “That’s So Raven” star stated.
Photo Credit: Facebook / Palmer keke
Keke Palmer
The actress weighed in on the Ozempic buzz when talking about her postpartum body.
“So, this is my thing with the Ozempic. It sucks…you know, I get that the girls want to get into shape. But I hate that sometimes, you know, Ozempic, from my knowledge, I know it’s been made for people who have diabetes. Ever since the girls have been using it to lose weight, the folks with diabetes aren’t able to get [it], the prices have gone up,” she stated.
Every medication, regardless of its breakthrough nature, has its downsides. Semaglutide medicines like Ozempic can offer life-changing solutions for people with type 2 diabetes or clinically significant obesity, especially when used under medical supervision. However, it should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution or a magic bullet. It should also not be considered as a shortcut for losing a few pounds without adopting a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise.
Disclaimer: FunTimes Magazine does not endorse or suggest use of these products.
