Gone are the days when stars chalked up sudden weight loss to kale smoothies, hot yoga, detox teas and clean eating. Over the past year, a quieter truth has emerged with a growing number of celebrities lifting the veil and crediting their fit and trim physiques to a new class of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy—once reserved for diabetes treatment, now at the centre of a body-image revolution.From Hollywood to Bollywood, red carpets are brimming with dramatic transformations. But this time, many stars aren’t hiding their secret—they’re owning it.The Science Behind the “Tiny Jab”Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) were originally developed to help manage Type 2 diabetes. They belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar and delays gastric emptying—essentially helping you feel full longer and eat less.The FDA approved these drugs for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight-related health conditions. The results? Patients on these drugs can lose 15–20% of their body weight over several months—often with dramatic visual results.But while the science is sound, the conversation around it is far from simple.Unfiltered and Unapologetic: Celebs Who Are Speaking OutIn an industry where transformations often come with a side of denial, there’s no more hiding behind “clean eating”, “strict workout routine” or “newfound discipline.” The gloss is gone, and what’s left is refreshingly real.Instead of whispering about weight-loss jabs behind the scenes, these stars are helping shift the narrative. Few statements hit harder than Lizzo’s recent confession on the Just Trish podcast. “I’ve tried everything,” she confessed and added, “It’s just the science, for me—calories in vs. calories out. Ozempic works because you eat less food. It makes you feel full…” She also added that she slowly moved away from the medication to focus on portion control and listening to her body.Amanda Bynes took to hersocial media to announce her decision to get on the weightloss bandwagon after her casual photos on a day out sparked debate. “Oh, I’m going on Ozempic,” Bynes said and added, “So excited. I’m 173 now, so I hope to get down to like 130, which would be awesome so I look better in paparazzi pictures. I’ll post about my Ozempic journey, of course.” Her comments section was filled with comments applauding her honesty in an industry that has long championed unrealistic body standards.For Meghan Trainor, the choice was personal and empowering. Following her second pregnancy, the ‘All About That Bass’ singer admitted she turned to Mounjaro as one part of a bigger wellness picture. “I’ve worked with a dietician, made huge lifestyle changes, started exercising with a trainer, and yes, I used science and support (shoutout to Mounjaro!)… I feel great,” she shared on social media.Then came Oprah, who credited a weight-loss drug for her much slimmer figure. Speaking to People, she went on record to say, “I now use [a drug] as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing… The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight… feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift.”In a rare public conversation during her ABC special Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution, she added, “In my entire life, I never dreamed that we would be talking about medicines that are providing hope for people like me who have struggled for years.”India Joins the ConversationBack home, filmmaker Hansal Mehta used his platform to break the stigma. In a heartfelt post, he revealed he’d been prescribed Mounjaro to treat pre-diabetes and unwanted weight gain. “I’m sharing this because there’s unnecessary stigma around these new medications and people who do use them falsely connect their newfound health to an ambiguous and often frustrating fitness regimen,” he wrote.“There’s no shame in taking charge of your health with the tools available to you, especially when done responsibly and under supervision,” he added, encouraging others to consult doctors if they face “similar health challenges.”The Other Side of the ScaleBut with every headline-making transformation comes a quieter reality, one that’s not always fabulous. Sophia Umansky, daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, went viral for sharing her struggles with hair loss after starting Mounjaro. “I’m gonna be bald in about a week,” she said in a TikTok video, attributing the hair fall not directly to the drug, but to rapid weight loss and poor nutrient intake.This highlights a key medical concern that while these drugs suppress appetite, they can also lead to inadequate protein, vitamin, and calorie intake if users aren’t carefully monitored. Experts have also warned of side effects, including nausea, fatigue, thyroid risks, and even muscle loss, especially when misused or overused.A Health Expert Weighs InBehind the growing buzz lies a critical conversation about how these drugs work, who they’re really meant for, and what the long-term impact could be, especially for everyday people watching from the sidelines and wondering if they should try it too.To unpack the science, the risks, and the real-world implications, ETimes spoke to a health expert who broke down the facts behind the fad, shared key advice for anyone considering these drugs, and offered a timely reminder that ‘beauty goals should never come at the cost of health’.Why are so many celebrities turning to weight-loss drugs, and how much of it is about health vs. beauty standards?“We’ve become a far more sedentary species compared to just a few decades ago. When you combine reduced physical activity with high-calorie diets, you create the ‘perfect storm’ for weight gain. In this case, it’s becoming easier to pop a pill or take a jab,” he says and adds, “And yes, in most cases, you will lose weight”He went on to explain, “Ozempic and Mounjaro are meant to treat diabetes. One of the ways they do this is by decreasing appetite and resulting in a decrease in calorie intake. For someone who has trouble with overeating, they can be part of the solution. However, the resultant starvation, especially with higher doses, will lead to muscle loss. This is not healthy. Starvation can also lead to micronutrient, vitamin and mineral deficiencies.“A Shift in the Body Image Narrative?For decades, Hollywood and Bollywood have sold the fantasy of perfectly chiselled bodies—supposedly achieved through mysterious workouts, detox teas, sheer discipline, or simply good genes. But now, a growing number of stars are not just revealing the truth behind their transformations, but by actively educating fans about their weight-loss journeys and encouraging them to take control of their own health.“In many cases, using these drugs is more about conforming to beauty standards than addressing actual health concerns,” says our medical expert. He adds a firm warning, “These drugs should never be used without a doctor’s supervision. Only a qualified medical professional can determine if someone truly needs them.”He stresses that these medications are not to be taken casually. As prescription-only treatments, they must be administered under professional guidance, with regular health monitoring and support from a well-rounded lifestyle plan.“They’ve been shown to be relatively safe so far, but they are still new drugs—and we simply don’t know what the long-term side effects might be, if any,” he cautions.What challenges do regular people face that celebrities don’t?Celebrities often have the advantage of personal trainers, chefs, stylists, and full-time medical support, resources most people can’t access. Here are some key challenges to keep in mind: Cost: “These drugs are expensive,” the expert noted. “Many individuals may sacrifice other essentials just to afford them, while celebrities have the financial means to do so without consequence.”Monitoring: “Safe usage requires regular doctor visits, blood work, and health tracking. Most people don’t have a medical team on standby and might miss early signs of complications.”Nutritional Support: “If food intake drops significantly, supplementation might be needed to prevent deficiencies. Celebrities have dieticians—most people don’t.”This isn’t just a trend, it’s a transformation in how we talk about weight, health, and self-worth. Celebrities aren’t merely showcasing slimmer bodies; they’re finally sharing the full story. In doing so, they’re helping to reshape the narrative around wellness. Because the real glow-up isn’t just a sculpted frame, it’s transparency.
