Oscars 2026: The Unexpected Influence of Ozempic on Hollywood’s Elite

The Oscars this year seemed to have taken on a new identity, playfully dubbed the “Ozempic Olympics,” as Hollywood’s elite graced the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Observers couldn’t help but notice that many of the stars appeared significantly slimmer, raising concerns that some might soon vanish from sight altogether.

This follows the increasing popularity of GLP-1 medications, initially intended to treat type 2 diabetes, which have now become a go-to for celebrities seeking rapid weight loss.

The trend harks back to the “heroin chic” look of the 1990s, characterized by prominent cheekbones, visible ribs, and an ever-intensifying pursuit of extreme thinness.

High-profile figures such as Rebel Wilson, Serena Williams, and Oprah have openly acknowledged their use of these weight-loss drugs. However, it’s likely that many others have yet to disclose their reliance on these medications, despite visibly shrinking physiques.

Demi Moore, Emma Stone and Nicole Kidman were among the leading ladies who looked particularly emaciated as they walked the carpet Sunday. Joining them as fellow super-skinny sisters were Barbie Ferreira, as well as Kathy Bates and Melissa McCarthy – who both, for many years, had famously fuller figures. 

And so, with the sheer number of skeletal stars at this year’s Oscars, you have to ask: Has Hollywood’s Ozempic obsession finally gone too far?

When taken in a high dose, combined with appropriate diet and exercise, so-called ‘fat jabs’ like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro (all brands of the medication semaglutide) can help overweight people shed stubborn pounds.

But GLP-1s do not come without their side effects: They have been linked to serious complications such as permanent sight loss, scurvy, sagging skin, and even a potentially higher risk of developing pancreatitis – not to mention the serious tummy troubles, like vomiting and diarrhea, they can trigger.

It’s tragically clear that this year’s Oscars needed a rebrand: Welcome to the Ozempic Olympics (Pictured: Demi Moore)

Emma Stone

Nicole Kidman

Barbie Ferreira

Kathy Bates

Melissa McCarthy

Rapid weight loss can also lead to severe long-term consequences such as the weakening of bones that become susceptible to breakage and even the loss of teeth.

According to Dr Smita Ramanadham, a plastic surgeon based in New Jersey, weight-loss medications can have great benefits when taken carefully – and by those who really need them in the first place.

‘I think these weight-loss medications are proven to work well, but the key is really to be conservative with them,’ Dr Ramanadham told the Daily Mail.

‘Be conservative with your dose and be diligent in getting appropriate nutrients and exercise. The long-term benefits of these drugs are going to be, really, from lifestyle changes. By taking the drugs with care, you can mitigate some of the negative risks.’ 

Earlier this month, at the Actor Awards in LA, Demi Moore looked thinner than ever in her strapless black Schiaparelli gown.

And it was the same story for Emma Stone, who has also sparked speculation of late that she’s had work done on her noticeably more youthful face.

As for Moore, 53, Dr Ramanadham believes the actress has achieved her new skin-and-bones look with the help of GLP-1 injections, or alternatively, by eating very little and submitting herself to ‘extreme’ workouts. 

‘In recent photos she has looked very, very thin and almost unhealthy,’ the plastic surgeon, who has not treated Moore, said.

‘Her skin is sunken in, and you can see all of her veins. There is no real fat on her body that is visible.’

It’s dangerous, Dr Ramanadham warned, to lose weight this quickly. 

‘Because of nutrient deficiencies, people may start to lose hair or teeth, that is a concern with malnutrition, especially if you are as thin as Demi,’ Dr Ramanadham said.

‘If you are not getting enough nutrients, muscle wasting can occur, and it can cause people to become very frail and have injuries and broken bones.

‘In extreme cases, the body can become like the very elderly, where it is easy to get fractures, and then recovery is also harder as you don’t have enough strength and nutrients.’

As for Emma Stone, 37, who is nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role in Bugonia, Dr Ramanadham said: ‘I think she has been using GLP-1s. She has always been thin, but I have never seen her this thin before.

‘She has lost a lot of fat and volume from everywhere in her body. Her cheeks are sunken in and you can see weight loss too in her chest, her arms, her collar bones.

‘That is not the sort of change we would typically expect from just dieting and exercise.’

Actress Margot Robbie also sparked similar rumors during her recent appearance at the Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week, with her newly slimmed-down look alarming some fans.

The 35-year-old wore a silky, see-through tank that showed off a small lace bralette to the show, giving a tease of her taut tummy, and a pair of organza trousers that seemed to hang off her frame.

During the Actor Awards just a few weeks ago, Demi Moore showed up looking more slender than ever 

Similarly, Emma Stone, who was nominated for Best Actress this year for her role in Bugonia, also drew similar reactions for her appearance at the Actor Awards, as she’s seen here on the left in 2026 and in May 2025 on the right

Margot Robbie also sparked concern this month as she attended the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week looking much less fuller-faced than normal 

The mom-of-one’s cheeks also appeared sunken, with her cheekbones more pronounced than usual, leaving some to question if she too had taken a weight-loss drug.

However, Dr Diana Ponsky, a facial plastic surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio, who has not treated Robbie, wasn’t so sure. 

‘Her neck also looks slimmer, and, looking at her face, under her cheekbones, you can see that there’s starting to be a hollow area there. Even her nose, if you focus on it, looks thinner,’ Dr Ponsky told the Daily Mail.

‘It’s not clear to me whether or not she is on a GLP-1. There’s still toning in her muscles, which suggests, however she is losing weight, she is doing it right. She looks pretty decent overall.’