Serena Williams publicly endorses weight loss drug in an ad: Injecting the drug led to a dramatic 30-pound weight loss, sparking outrage among international fans.

Last Sunday, during the 60th Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks triumphed over the New England Patriots with a score of 29–13. Bad Bunny lit up the halftime show with multiple popular tracks, yet off the field, Serena Williams unexpectedly grabbed headlines—a commercial she starred in promoting a slimming drug sparked fierce debate and was heavily condemned by fans.

This advertisement aired during the first half of the Super Bowl game between the Seahawks and Patriots, instantly attracting widespread attention to Serena Williams’s appearance. The 23-time Grand Slam champion was shown injecting a GLP-1 class drug and ordering the oral version through Ro’s mobile app.

Serena Williams has a personal connection to this company; her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is both an investor in Ro and a member of its board of directors.

In the commercial, she reveals a significant transformation, stating she lost 15 kilograms (33 pounds) using a GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment monitored via a mobile app. Serena began this therapy after her second pregnancy ended in 2024.

She explained that this decision came after a tough struggle. Despite rigorous training and a disciplined lifestyle, she was unable to reach a healthy weight naturally. GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily used to help type 2 diabetes patients control blood sugar, with some also approved for obesity management.

In an August 2025 interview with People magazine, she spoke about her experience: “No matter what I did, no matter how hard I trained, I just couldn’t reach the weight I needed. It was crazy because I had never faced this before in my life—I worked so hard, ate so clean, yet I couldn’t get down to where I needed to be.”

In the Super Bowl ad, Serena also highlighted her experience with Ro, saying, “With Ro’s help, I move more easily.” and “With Ro’s help, I feel better.” In a recent Instagram post, she shared further progress details, showing lab results and noting that some markers were even better than during her professional career.

She stated, “Since using GLP-1, my lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease has dropped by 19%.” She also revealed a 30% improvement in total cholesterol levels, adding, “I’m not surprised I feel this good.” However, the reaction was swift and intense. Once the Super Bowl ad aired, fans began criticizing their idol for endorsing weight loss drugs. Many questioned her decision to promote such medication, and the backlash grew rapidly within hours.

One fan commented, “Exactly! Serena Williams was always a strong, healthy, and top-performing athlete… Why would she want or need to take weight loss drugs? More importantly, what message does this send to the rest of us? It’s disgraceful!” Another fan wrote, “Is she short on money???”

Tennis commentator Pavvy G expressed strong disapproval: “One of the greatest athletes in the world openly promoting weight loss drugs? I’m deeply saddened by this. No one should encourage the public to use such medications, especially not a role model, an inspiration, or a symbol of a sport. I genuinely worry about the future.”

Surprisingly, ATP world No. 17 Rune responded to Pavvy G’s comment, stating: “Being overweight carries health risks, just like alcohol. Seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right choice. What I appreciate about @serenawilliams is that she didn’t pretend this happened overnight but honestly shared what she did to reach her body goals. There’s no absolute right or wrong here, only what works for you, and no one should be shamed for it.”

Pavvy G replied again, opposing Rune’s view: “I disagree, brother. Many weight loss injections come with significant side effects. Young people seeing this ad might think using this alone is enough, without maintaining a healthy diet, fitness, and exercise. It’s shocking for an athlete to promote something like this and sends the wrong message.”

Rune further clarified his stance: “This isn’t something you can just buy at a pharmacy; it requires a doctor’s prescription. A physician must assess whether this treatment suits you. We should trust doctors, shouldn’t we?”

In the Ro commercial, Serena Williams defended her choice. She explained that medical support played a crucial role in her postpartum recovery and health journey. “They say using GLP-1 for weight loss is taking a shortcut. It’s not; it’s science,” she added. “I trained at the highest level, ate very clean, pushed myself constantly, but after giving birth, my body just didn’t respond.” She went on to say, “I realized it wasn’t a matter of willpower but a physiological issue. My body needed GLP-1 and clinical support.”

The debate surrounding her endorsement continues, with opinions remaining sharply divided across various platforms. One fan left a single word: “Greedy!” Now, Serena Williams faces strong criticism from fans worldwide, and views on her latest move remain deeply polarized.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)