It has become a recurring theme at major red carpet events: a celebrity steps out with a dramatically slimmed-down physique, instantly fuelling speculation and debate. As Hollywood's aesthetic leans increasingly slender, the widespread use of weight-loss jabs like Ozempic is driving concerns of a return to 'size zero' culture. Intriguingly, many of the stars now showcasing these transformations originally rose to prominence as champions of the body positivity movement.
The High-Profile Transformations
Comedian and actress Amy Schumer is a prime example. This week, she showcased her substantial weight loss in a glamorous Instagram post, a stark contrast to the message of her 2018 film I Feel Pretty, which centred on self-acceptance without altering appearance. Schumer, who is 5ft 7in, has been open about her journey, citing a 'horrible experience' on Ozempic in 2022 before finding success with Mounjaro, a trendy GLP-1 agonist drug she began taking earlier this year. She told followers on April 9, 'I'm loving being on Mounjaro,' and praised its effects on her hair, skin, and energy levels.
Singer Lizzo, long celebrated as a face of body positivity, has also undergone a dramatic slim-down. In a candid Substack post entitled 'Why is everybody losing weight and what do we do?', she admitted to feeling 'overshadowed' by her 'fatness'. Lizzo revealed her mental health deteriorated amid lawsuits from former team members (which she denies), leading to severe depression and a decision to focus on her health. While she began with Pilates, she has also admitted to trying Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, stating on a podcast, 'Ozempic works because you eat less food.'
Tennis legend Serena Williams, a pioneer for empowering women with athletic builds, shocked fans this year by revealing she used a weight-loss jab to lose 31lbs. After researching GLP-1 treatments with healthcare company Ro, she started weekly injections post-breastfeeding, aiming to shed baby weight after the birth of her second daughter, Adira.
Backlash and Personal Journeys
For some, the shift has attracted unexpected criticism. Singer Meghan Trainor, who lost over 60lbs using Mounjaro, exercise, and diet after her second pregnancy, said her 'heart was broken' by vicious online comments. Trolls attacked her, asking, 'You were the bass girl, why're you thin now?' Trainor went public with her Mounjaro use on April Fool's Day 2025, framing it as part of a health journey for her family.
Actress Rebel Wilson, who lost over 70lbs in 2021 initially through exercise and diet, has used Ozempic periodically to manage cravings. She revealed her initial motivation was fertility advice from a doctor who suggested she'd have a better chance if healthier. She is now a mother to two-year-old daughter Royce.
Broadcaster Oprah Winfrey has been perhaps the most vocal about the shift. After decades in the public eye discussing body shame and dieting, she revealed in December 2023 she used a GLP-1 drug to lose weight, declaring she was 'done with the shaming'. By January 2025, she had reached her goal weight of 160lbs. Her advocacy led her to step down from the WeightWatchers board to avoid a conflict of interest when discussing prescription weight-loss drugs.
Is the Body Positivity Era Over?
The visible journeys of these stars present a complex picture. Their initial embrace of body positivity challenged narrow beauty standards and offered representation. Their subsequent turn to medical aids for weight loss is often framed around personal health, mental well-being, or fertility, rather than mere aesthetics. However, the spectacle of their transformations, amplified by social media and Hollywood's 'glitzy events', inevitably fuels debate.
It raises a poignant question: can the ethos of body positivity coexist with the pursuit of significant weight loss through pharmaceutical means? The narratives from Lizzo, Serena Williams, and others suggest a desire to be seen as more than their body size—a core tenet of body positivity itself. Yet, the overwhelming focus on their slimmer figures suggests the public conversation remains firmly fixated on appearance, indicating the movement's core battle is far from over.
