Comedy legend Sacha Baron Cohen proved he hasn't lost his edge during Sunday night's BAFTA Film Awards, delivering a razor-sharp joke about the Ozempic phenomenon that's sweeping through Hollywood.
Taking the stage to present the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, the Borat star deadpanned: "I'm from Hollywood and I've got to say, everyone's talking about this one movie..." before dramatically pulling out a box of the controversial diabetes-turned-weight-loss drug.
Hollywood's Worst-Kept Secret
The audience erupted in laughter as Cohen continued: "It's the story of a powerful, semi-synthetic molecule that helps people lose weight and costs only $1,000 a month. It's called Ozempic!"
This playful dig comes amid growing scrutiny over the drug's rampant off-label use among celebrities seeking rapid weight loss. Several A-listers have been accused of using the medication while publicly attributing their dramatic transformations to "hard work" and "clean eating."
Awards Season Gets a Dose of Reality
Cohen's gag landed perfectly at the star-studded event, where many attendees have reportedly jumped on the Ozempic bandwagon. The joke provided a much-needed moment of levity about Hollywood's obsession with unrealistic body standards.
This isn't the first time the satirical genius has used awards shows to poke fun at industry trends. His BAFTA appearance follows his infamous 2019 Oscars stunt where he arrived as his flamboyant character Bruno, complete with an outrageous outfit that broke broadcasting rules.
The Ozempic Effect
The type 2 diabetes medication has become Hollywood's worst-kept secret, with demand causing shortages for actual diabetic patients. Medical experts continue warning about potential side effects when used without proper supervision.
While Cohen didn't name names, his timely joke certainly had many in the Royal Festival Hall shifting uncomfortably in their seats - perhaps some who've experienced the drug's notorious appetite-suppressing effects firsthand.
