Oprah Winfrey Apologizes For Being ‘Major Contributor’ To ‘Toxic Diet Culture’ After Admitting Using Ozempic

Oprah Winfrey apologized for being a “major contributor” to America’s toxic diet culture. During an event hosted by Weight Watchers on Thursday, Winfrey took responsibility for promoting unhealthy weight loss methods and expressed regret for profiting from diet culture in her shows.

“I have been a steadfast participant in this diet culture. Through my platforms, through the magazine, through the talk show for 25 years and online . . . I’ve been a major contributor to it,” Winfrey stated. “I cannot tell you how many weight-loss shows and makeovers I have done, and they have been a staple since I’ve been working in television.”

“I’ve shared how that famous ‘wagon of fat’ moment on the Oprah show is one of my biggest regrets. It sent a message that starving yourself with a liquid diet, set a standard for people watching that I nor anybody else could uphold,” she said.

The “wagon of fat” moment refers to a segment on her talk show where Winfrey revealed a wagon loaded with fat to show how much weight she had lost. 

Actresses Rebel Wilson, Busy Phillips and Amber Riley joined Winfrey at the event. In April, Wilson admitted to using Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug, to help her lose 80 pounds. Winfrey also used a drug to lose weight but did not specify which.

In March, Winfrey stepped down from the board of directors for Weight Watchers after she admitted to using weight-loss drugs. In an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Winfrey said she did not want her ABC Special, An Oprah Special: Shame Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution to be tainted by her connection to Weight Watchers.