Serena Williams has faced backlash from fans after disclosing that she lost over 30 pounds using weight loss medication.
On Thursday, the medical company RO released a joint post on Instagram to promote its partnership with the tennis champion.
In the video, 43-year-old Williams appeared to administer weekly injections.
Many fans expressed their disappointment in the comments, questioning her choice to use medication to achieve her current physique.
One commenter noted, “It’s unfortunate as an athlete and influencer—you’re promoting the idea that medication is necessary for health and beauty. This video really saddened me.” Another added, “After the kids, this medicine was what my body needed. It feels like a fantasy that could erase all progress by not allowing the woman time to recover and regain her form.”
Another user remarked, “The message from an athlete like her is extremely dangerous for society.” One more critique was, “You can do whatever you want with your body, but don’t label it healthcare! For someone who comes from an elite athletic background, this feels unsettling.” A fifth individual claimed Williams is sending “a poor message to the youth,” especially to aspiring female athletes.
Earlier this week, the mother of two stunned fans when she became one of the latest celebrities to publicly acknowledge using weight loss pills.
“It feels good,” she stated. “I feel really healthy and light, both physically and mentally.”
Williams shared that her weight struggles began in 2017, following an emergency C-section to deliver her first child, Alexis Olympia.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist explained that she researched RO and opted for weekly injections in August 2023, six months after welcoming her second child, Adira.
“No matter what I did, no matter how hard I trained, I couldn’t shed the weight,” she mentioned. “I was working diligently and was really healthy, but I wasn’t able to get to where I needed to be, which felt crazy.”
