Jimmy Kimmel Sparks Outrage After Calling the Oscars the ‘Ozempic Academy Awards’

Jimmy Kimmel, known for his sharp humor and unfiltered takes, stirred up major controversy at this year’s Academy Awards by dubbing the event the “Ozempic Academy Awards.” The late-night host made the comment as he took the stage, noting that many celebrities on the red carpet looked noticeably thinner.

His remark was intended as a joke, referencing the widespread use of Ozempic, a diabetes drug that has been increasingly used off-label as a weight-loss aid by Hollywood elites. However, the reaction from many stars was anything but amused.

Instead of laughter, Kimmel was met with immediate backlash from some of the industry’s biggest names, who accused him of body shaming, making light of serious health issues, and perpetuating toxic beauty standards.

Kimmel’s joke came early in the night as he opened the ceremony with his usual monologue, poking fun at Hollywood culture, nominated films, and, of course, the stars in attendance. But when he quipped that the Oscars should be renamed the “Ozempic Academy Awards” because of how skinny everyone looked, the room’s reaction was mixed.

While some audience members chuckled, others exchanged awkward glances. The comment, seemingly harmless to some, immediately set social media on fire, with many calling it inappropriate and mean-spirited.

Many celebrities did not take kindly to the joke, seeing it as a public insult rather than a comedic observation. Some took to social media, while others made their feelings clear in post-show interviews.

One A-list actress, known for her powerful performances and long-standing advocacy for body positivity, reportedly said, “It’s offensive. It diminishes all the hard work people put into their health, fitness, and personal choices. To reduce everything to a drug reference is lazy and harmful.”

Another actor, who has publicly discussed his struggles with weight fluctuation and body image in the industry, expressed his frustration: “Hollywood already has enough pressure when it comes to appearances. We don’t need someone making cheap jokes about it on the biggest night of the year.”

As soon as Kimmel made the comment, Twitter (X), Instagram, and TikTok exploded with reactions. Some defended the joke, arguing that Ozempic use is a legitimate and widely discussed topic in Hollywood, but others called it a form of body shaming disguised as humor.

“Wow. Jimmy Kimmel just reduced everyone’s hard work, discipline, and healthy living to ‘Ozempic.’ Way to be disrespectful,” one user tweeted.

“Jimmy Kimmel making the ‘Ozempic Oscars’ joke is actually gross. These stars can’t win—if they gain weight, they get called out. If they lose weight, they’re accused of taking a drug. Just let people live,” another posted.

Some viewers even pointed out that Kimmel’s joke was particularly harmful to those who genuinely take Ozempic for medical reasons, including people with diabetes.

Kimmel’s comment, while controversial, also reignited discussions about Hollywood’s obsession with thinness. The industry has long been criticized for its unrealistic beauty standards, and recent months have seen a sharp rise in speculation over who is using Ozempic or similar medications to achieve drastic weight loss.

Magazine headlines, red carpet analysts, and social media gossip have all fueled rumors about which stars might be turning to weight-loss injections. This constant scrutiny has created a double-edged sword—celebrities are shamed for gaining weight, but if they lose too much, they’re accused of taking shortcuts.

One actress, who has faced body-shaming at both ends of the spectrum, summed it up in a post-show interview: “No one wins in Hollywood. If you’re curvy, you’re ‘unhealthy.’ If you lose weight, you must be on something. Maybe we should stop obsessing over people’s bodies altogether.”

Following the uproar, Kimmel briefly addressed the controversy in an interview after the show, defending his joke while also acknowledging the strong reaction.

“Look, it was a joke. The Oscars are about Hollywood, and Hollywood is obsessed with looking good. That’s not new. I didn’t think it would hit such a nerve, but I guess we live in sensitive times,” he said.

He stopped short of offering an apology, instead doubling down on his usual comedic approach: “Hey, at least they were listening, right?”

While Kimmel is no stranger to backlash, this latest controversy puts him at the center of yet another debate about what is and isn’t acceptable humor in today’s climate. With conversations around body image, health, and Hollywood pressures more intense than ever, some are calling for greater sensitivity in public commentary—especially on a global stage like the Oscars.

Will Kimmel face long-term fallout? Likely not. But the discourse surrounding the joke has proven that body-related humor is no longer as easily brushed off as it once was. Whether Hollywood embraces the conversation or continues to laugh it off remains to be seen.

Jimmy Kimmel’s “Ozempic Academy Awards” joke was meant to poke fun at Hollywood’s obsession with looking slim, but it backfired, with many stars and fans calling it insensitive and inappropriate. The backlash has once again highlighted the double standards and pressures celebrities face when it comes to their appearances.

One thing is certain—body image discussions in Hollywood aren’t going anywhere, and the Oscars will likely be more mindful of how these topics are addressed in the future.