Mounjaro in India: Spotlight on Hollywood stars fuelling the weight-loss drug craze

Dubai: With the arrival of Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug Mounjaro in India today, the conversation around celebrity-endorsed medical weight loss has reignited across social media.

Following in the footsteps of blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy—both powered by semaglutide—Mounjaro (approved for Type 2 diabetes) has carved a space for itself globally as a tool to combat obesity. The buzz has now reached Indian shores. So why the frenzy?

Every time a celebrity such as TV mogul Oprah Winfrey or Bollywood biggie Karan Johar reappears looking slimmer, their fans and pop-culture watchers wonder: Is it Ozempic? Is it Mounjaro? or just "anti-inflammatory diet".

Fuelled by viral before-and-after photos, this trend has created a cultural moment—one that’s as controversial as it is captivating. While many stars continue to remain tight-lipped about how they shed the pounds, a handful of A-listers have taken the more honest route.

Oprah Winfrey, long open about her struggles with weight, revealed in a December 2023 interview with People that she uses a weight-loss medication, calling it a “relief” and “redemption.”

Though she didn’t specify the drug, her words offered validation for millions who turn to medical intervention.

“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,” she said.

Kelly Clarkson recently told Whoopi Goldberg on her talk show that she was taking a drug to manage her weight, but clarified it wasn’t Ozempic. “It’s something that aids in helping break down the sugar,” she said, explaining how her doctor had been pushing her to try it for years.

Kathy Bates also acknowledged using Ozempic as part of her weight loss, though she was quick to add that most of her transformation was due to “hard work.” Like Bates, Amy Schumer admitted to trying Ozempic, only to quit due to nausea and the inability to play with her son. “Everybody’s lying,” she quipped on Watch What Happens Live, urging celebrities to be more transparent.

Then there’s Jim Gaffigan, who lost 50 pounds using Mounjaro and shared his story in People. “I feel good,” he said. “It’s such a better life.” Gaffigan spoke candidly about the societal stigma around using these drugs: “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.”

Harvey Fierstein, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sharon Osbourne also joined the chorus of stars on weight-loss medication, each offering unique experiences ranging from rapid weight loss to difficult side effects. Fierstein, who lost 120 pounds with Zepbound (another Eli Lilly drug), summed it up poignantly: “People don’t understand that being fat is not a choice.”

What makes this conversation thorny is its dual nature. On one hand, celebrities are held up as aspirational icons; on the other, they face scrutiny when weight loss appears sudden. Amy Schumer hit the nail on the head when she said, “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, smaller portions,’ like shut the [expletive], you’re on Ozempic.”

This kind of coded language has created a climate of both fascination and frustration. Chelsea Handler admitted to taking Ozempic unknowingly, handed to her casually by her doctor. Others, like Claudia Oshry, initially felt ashamed to disclose their use of the drug. “In the beginning, my decision to not share was rooted in a little bit of shame,” she said.

Meanwhile, Charles Barkley, Tracy Morgan, and Jon Gosselin have all spoken about how Mounjaro helped them regain control over their bodies and routines, with Barkley noting, “There’s no shoe size that fits all.”

Now that Mounjaro is officially available in India, the local wellness industry is poised for a paradigm shift. With Bollywood and South Indian film industries equally image-conscious, it's only a matter of time before speculation turns local.

But as with any medical intervention, caution is key. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, has stated it does not support off-label use of its diabetes medication for weight loss. Eli Lilly echoes the same for Mounjaro.

The medical community continues to stress that these drugs are not vanity shots—they’re prescriptions for chronic conditions.

As the weight-loss drug trend grows more mainstream, the stigma around using them may finally be lifting—partly thanks to celebrities who are choosing honesty over deception. But if you're considering weight-loss medication, consult your doctor first is their collective celebrity credo.