Jillian Michaels hits out at Oprah Winfrey's 'financial interest' in Ozempic

18 January 2024 , 20:57

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Jillian Michaels hits out at Oprah Winfrey's 'financial interest' in Ozempic and using it to lose weight

Fitness guru Jillian Michaels has publicly slammed Oprah Winfrey for her 'financial interest' in weight loss drug Ozempic.

Winfrey has shed a dramatic amount of weight and has publicly struggled with her weight, reaching 16 stone 9lbs at her heaviest. The talk show host has credited her slimmer figure to her Weight Watchers diet, which she has been an ambassador for since 2017 and has held a 10% stake in since 2015.

However, Michaels has pointed out that Winfrey is connected to Ozempic. The fitness expert, best known for her appearances on NBC series such as The Biggest Loser, has pointed the finger at Winfrey as the fitness entrepreneur claimed in an interview: "Oprah has a financial incentive with Ozempic."

READ MORE: Inside Oprah Winfrey's weight loss journey after she sheds 5 stone

Oprah Winfrey has been an ambassador for Weight Watchers since 2017 (Getty Images for Critics Choice)

The talk show host also owns a 10% stake in Weight Watchers, after investing in 2015 (The Hollywood Reporter via Getty)

Speaking to Page Six, Michaels explained: "Oprah, I believe, is one of the biggest shareholders of WeightWatchers, and WeightWatchers is now in the Ozempic business. 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."

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Ever since Oprah's self-titled talkshow first aired in 1984, she has publicly struggled with her weight, reaching 16 stone 9lbs at her heaviest. However, she credits an unidentified weight loss medication for helping her lose 70lbs (5 stone), taking her to just 6lbs from her goal weight. She didn't identify what prescription she's on, but as Ozempic and similar medication sky rockets in popularity, there have been questions raised over whether that is the mystery medication the talk show host has taken. Winfrey has never confirmed that she lost weight due to taking Ozempic.

Oprah previously opened up to US magazine People about her reasons for turning to medication after years of unsuccessful dieting. She said: "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."

Jillian Michaels slammed Oprah as she claimed the star has a "financial interest" in drugs like Ozempic (the chronicle)

Jillian Michaels is a fitness entrepreneur and is best known for her appearances on NBC series such as The Biggest Loser (DAILY MIRROR)

The talk show host has also been clear that her weight loss transformation is actually the result of an overall weight loss journey which has seen her change her lifestyle in multiple ways. She began incorporating more exercise into her lifestyle, including hiking which she set goals for herself that led to her feeling stronger and more fit. Plus, she focused on her diet, explaining that she eats her last meal at 4 o'clock and drinks at least a gallon of water today.

Oprah has previously shared insights into how negative body image has followed her throughout her life. She said: "I can look at a picture from any period of my life, and the first thing that comes to mind is not the event or experience, but my weight and size, because that is how I've viewed (and judged) myself—through the prism of numbers."

In January 2017, after losing 40lbs, she told Weight Watchers magazine that she had found success after shifting her focus away from the scales, recognising that losing weight for a specific goal or event, or to "make people like me" was pointless.

Niamh Spence