Barbra Streisand’s Ozempic Comment to Melissa McCarthy Prompts a Conversation
Celebrities Struggle To Ask Friends About Ozempic
Barbra Streisand caused a discussion in the public eye after sharing her thoughts about actress Melissa McCarthy on social media.
On the evening of April 30th, 2024 at 8:16 p.m. Eastern Time, a significant event occurred.
The performer, Melissa McCarthy, shared a snapshot on Instagram earlier this week. In the picture, she appeared in a sea-foam-green dress that had multiple layers at a glamorous event. She was accompanied by Adam Shankman, the director, at the gala. The photo didn't receive a lot of attention, but Barbra Streisand's remark caused quite a scene. She asked McCarthy if she had used the medication Ozempic in her comment.
Images of the remark started making rounds online not long after, with various readers disapproving of Ms. Streisand's decision to ask whether a fellow celebrity was using a weight-reducing medication in a public forum. Some people even suspected that Ms. Streisand was unaware that the comment was visible to others. However, the remark has already been removed.
Ms. Streisand responded to the criticism on Tuesday afternoon. She explained on her Instagram and X accounts that she had been browsing through the pictures of flowers she had received for her birthday when she came across a photo of her friend Melissa McCarthy. Ms. Streisand commented on how great McCarthy looked, but didn't realize that her comments would be read by so many people.
Ozempic belongs to a modern group of drugs that have gained massive recognition lately, as they are utilized to treat diabetes and obesity. Although the Food and Drug Administration has only sanctioned it for diabetes, Ozempic has been gaining traction among individuals for weight loss purposes. Scientists are delving deeper into the potential of these medications for treating different afflictions such as sleep apnea, alcohol use disorder, and chronic kidney disease.
With the rising popularity of drugs, there is a corresponding expectation for public figures to disclose their use of them. Some have even turned revealing their medication usage into a spectacle, like Oprah Winfrey who famously announced in People magazine that she was taking a weight loss drug to combat shaming. She went on to host a special on prime-time about weight stigma and new medication. Elon Musk was an early supporter, revealing on Twitter in 2022 that he takes the drug Wegovy after being asked about his impressive fitness level.
There are experts who are concerned that emphasizing the identities of those who take or don't take drugs can convey harmful ideas about body image and size. Dr. Melanie Jay, who leads the N.Y.U. Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity, believes that people shouldn't feel ashamed of taking medication. At the same time, she believes that a person's decision to take or not take medication is a private matter and shouldn't be subject to scrutiny by others.
According to Dr. Adrienne Bitar, a professor at Cornell University and author of the book "Diet and the Disease of Civilization," the increase in discussion about Ozempic and its relationship with weight loss and diet could be due to the breaking of etiquette that is continuously evolving. It may come across as insulting to question whether someone is taking Ozempic publicly due to the negative connotations surrounding the use of medication for weight loss.
According to Kate Manne, who is an associate professor of philosophy at Cornell University and wrote the book "Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia," Ms. Streisand's remark may not have had any harmful intentions. Nevertheless, it suggests that Ms. McCarthy's body is being closely monitored.
Dr. Manne commented that there is a possibility that she didn't intend to harm anyone. Despite this, the impact of her actions should not be disregarded.
Despite the remark made about her by Barbra Streisand, Ms. McCarthy appears to be unfazed. When TMZ questioned her on Tuesday about whether the comment was inappropriate, Ms. McCarthy responded by saying, "I believe that Barbra is an exceptional asset and I have great admiration for her." She then dismissed the reporter with a wave of her hand.
