The conversation around weight loss in Hollywood is never quiet, but recently it has been buzzing louder than ever thanks to a particular drug called Ozempic. Originally intended as a treatment for managing blood glucose levels in people with type two diabetes, Ozempic has found its way into the spotlight as a weight loss aid, leading to a wide spectrum of opinions and confessions from celebrities.
Some big names like Oprah and Rebel Wilson have openly acknowledged using weight loss medications, while others such as Kelly Osbourne proudly claim their weight loss was achieved without any pharmaceutical help. The drug’s use for weight loss, however, remains controversial and has sparked debates across various platforms.
Amidst this ongoing debate, every celebrity who appears slimmer than before quickly becomes the target of public speculation on social media, accused of using Ozempic, regardless of the actual methods they used to lose weight.
One such celebrity caught up in these rumors is Jesse Plemons, known for his role as the chilling character Todd in “Breaking Bad”. Plemons recently shared with the Los Angeles Times in a June 13 article that he is well aware of the whispers surrounding his own weight loss journey. Despite the chatter, he explained that his slimmer physique was the result of lifestyle changes rather than pharmaceutical intervention.
“It’s really unfortunate that I decided to get healthy when everyone decided to take Ozempic,” Plemons remarked. “It doesn’t matter, everyone’s going to think I took Ozempic anyways. But what it was, was getting older and — I hate even getting specific because then it turns into a whole thing.”
Plemons went on to describe his approach: “Several people talked to me about intermittent fasting and I just gave it a shot and [was] surprised at how quickly it was effective. So I lost a little bit…and then felt like I was in the rhythm, I was feeling better, and something shifted in my head. I just sort of got a handle on it.”
As the debate around Ozempic continues, its popularity and controversy are likely to persist. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK even drafted guidelines in 2022, suggesting that the drug can be prescribed to people with a body mass index of at least 30, or those who have at least one weight-related condition.
However, Ozempic is not without its side effects, which include nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Despite these downsides, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a positive stance on the drug. In a November 2023 statement, an FDA spokesperson affirmed, “The FDA maintains that the benefits of Ozempic outweigh its risks when used according to the approved labeling.”