Gabriel Iglesias turned down $1,000,000 to be the face of Ozempic, and here is why
Weight loss success came with trade-offs he wasn’t willing to ignore.
Weight loss is one of the most talked-about topics in healthcare right now, and the medication Ozempic is at the forefront of that conversation. Everyone seems to either be on it, know someone on it, or have a strong opinion about it. One notable person who tried Ozempic is comedian Gabriel Iglesias, also known as “Fluffy.” Interestingly, he turned down a huge opportunity to promote the drug, and the reason might surprise you.
Gabriel Iglesias’s weight loss journey
In a recent episode of the podcast “Club Shay Shay”, hosted by Shannon Sharpe, comedian Gabriel Iglesias opened up about his weight loss journey. He shared that he once weighed as much as 440 pounds but has now lost over 100 pounds, bringing him down to around 320 pounds at the time of the interview. He also talked about his lifestyle, describing himself as a committed night person who goes to bed at 8 in the morning. “I’m up. I’m watching TV. I’m on my phone. I’m a night person,” he explained what he does all night.
When Sharpe asked whether Iglesias had considered using popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic, he shared his experiences honestly. Iglesias first considered gastric bypass surgery, but after a consultation, he was told he needed to lose 50 pounds to qualify. He felt that if he could lose 50 pounds, he could lose even more, so he decided against the surgery.
Instead, he tried Ozempic for five months and found it effective, saying, “Ozempic is scary how good it works because it does curb your appetite to a place where you’re like, do I even need food?” However, he experienced some unwanted side effects, such as losing muscle in his shoulders and feeling nauseous. Shortly after stopping the medication, he gained back 20 pounds.
In a surprising twist, Iglesias revealed that Ozempic reached out to him many years ago, asking whether he was interested. “They offered me a freaking incredible deal to be a face of Ozempic,” and he added, ” I was supposed to be the guy singing in the commercials”. Basically, they wanted him to be the face of the brand.
“And even though it was, you know, a million-dollar deal, I couldn’t do it. It wasn’t a voiceover role. He turned it down because of his experience with the medication. “What they wanted from me was more than what I could give because I was going to do better on the road”, he added. They wanted him to go on a tour and sell Ozenpic.
Reactions
The video went viral, and people had plenty to say, especially about his remarks on Ozempic and muscle loss. Some viewers disagreed with his perspective on the side effects of the drug. One commenter said, “You used Ozempic, and you lost weight on it. The muscle loss is too little to feel. Glad he didn’t become a spokesperson because he isn’t educated on what he took.” Many who have actually used the medication felt he exaggerated its effects on the body.
Some people also noted he had unrealistic expectations from the drug. One person wrote, “It’s not a magic potion. The work needs to be done while you’re on it. You can’t mask poor nutrition and a poor relationship with food.” Another person agreed and added: “You still have to strength train. Can’t just take a shot and think you’re good.” People suggested that he should have changed his lifestyle to have a lasting benefit from the drug, such as working out and controlling his diet.
Many people mentioned that they have successfully lost weight just by changing their diet, and think that medications are being pushed harder than they need to be.
Some fans appreciated his honesty about his life in the video. One viewer said, “I’m glad he didn’t take the deal. He is real. Fluffy will always be fluffy, no matter his weight. Great comedian.”
It’s also important to remember that everyone’s journey with their bodies is unique, and no one should be judged for their choices. What works for one person might not work for another due to different health backgrounds, personal situations, and access to resources. The end goal of achieving a healthy lifestyle is the same for everyone, but the path there can vary significantly, and treating people poorly for how they get there helps no one.
