Tennis legend Serena Williams made headlines this week when she revealed she had lost 31 pounds—but the news came with a surprising twist.
Williams shared that she used a GLP-1 medication, Zepbound, to help shed the weight, a disclosure that has sparked a flurry of debate online.
The Rise of GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 drugs, which naturally regulate blood sugar and appetite, have become increasingly popular in recent years.
The hormone is also found in well-known brands such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
Serena explained that she accessed the medication through telehealth company Ro, where she serves as a paid spokesperson.
Adding to the scrutiny, her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor and board member of Ro.
Fans Question Ethics and Endorsement
Williams’ glowing discussion of the drug on the TODAY show prompted fans to question the ethics of her endorsement.
Social media users expressed frustration over potential conflicts of interest and the blurring of lines between advice and paid promotion.
One Twitter user wrote, “I hope Ro is paying the TODAY Show for this extended ad with Serena Williams.
I hate this kind of advertorial stuff cloaked as news.”
Another added, “Wouldn’t it be ethical to mention her husband’s investment in Ro? That’s a conflict of interest when discussing her weight loss.”
Body Positivity and Public Backlash
Many fans expressed disappointment that the tennis icon appeared to promote weight loss medication, arguing it undermined body positivity.
Comments ranged from pointing out the marketing of the drug as a “healthy” choice rather than aesthetic to lamenting that seeing Serena endorse it felt like a betrayal of her legacy.
“Seeing THE Serena Williams being used to sell weight loss products feels like an insult to everything she represents,” one fan said, while another tweeted, “Serena talking about how she ‘finally lost weight’ just broke something in me.”
Serena Opens Up About Her Personal Struggle
Williams clarified that her use of the medication was tied to her health, not appearance.
She shared that she experienced joint pain and physical discomfort carrying extra weight, particularly after the birth of her daughters Alexis Olympia in 2017 and Adira River in 2023.
“I’ve never felt that pressure to maintain a certain appearance,” she explained.
“I always felt comfortable at any size. But my body didn’t like me at that weight—I had pain in my joints and other areas because of the extra weight.”
Turning to GLP-1 for Support
After struggling with postpartum weight loss despite maintaining her athletic lifestyle, Serena sought guidance from Ro, where she was already a spokesperson.
She described the frustration of doing everything “right” with diet and exercise but still not reaching her target weight.
“I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be, no matter how much I trained,” she told People.
“I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard.
It was frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.”
Finding Balance Between Health and Image
Despite the controversy, Williams emphasized that losing weight through GLP-1 medication has improved her mobility, joint health, and overall well-being.
She stressed that the journey should not redefine one’s self-image.
“I feel physically and mentally lighter and more active,” she said.
“Shedding some pounds should never really change your self-image.”
