Serena Williams' Super Bowl Ad for Weight Loss Drug Sparks Debate

Tennis icon Serena Williams is making headlines again for her involvement in a new Super Bowl commercial promoting GLP-1 weight loss medication. The advertisement, for the telehealth company Ro, highlights Williams' own weight loss journey, which has seen her shed a total of 34 pounds since August of last year. She asserts in the ad that she is now 'moving' and 'feeling' better, attributing these improvements to the medication.

This campaign comes after Williams faced significant criticism last summer when she first revealed her use of the GLP-1 drug Zepbound. Fans expressed disappointment, viewing her endorsement as a contradiction to the body positivity movement. The current Super Bowl spot, scheduled to air during the NFL's championship game, also features NBA legend Charles Barkley, who has reportedly lost 45 pounds. Both celebrities aim to showcase a healthier lifestyle through Ro's services.

Williams, a mother of two, began her weight loss journey after experiencing postpartum struggles following the births of her daughters in 2017 and 2023. She sought guidance from Ro, for which she is a paid spokesperson and her husband, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor. Despite the ongoing controversy, the ad's launch marks a significant push for Ro's broader campaign to promote wellness.