Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 9, 2025 · Entertainment

Oprah Winfrey's Tony Awards Transformation: Ozempic or Style?

Oprah Winfrey looked thinner than ever backstage at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, which were held at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday

Oprah's Svelte Secret: The Media Mogul's Stunning Weight Loss and What We Know (And Don't Know) About Her Celebrity Friends

The Tony Awards were abuzz with glamour last Sunday, but one A-lister caught everyone's attention with her slender new look: none other than 71-year-old media mogul Oprah Winfrey. The billionaire philanthropist stunned in a black off-the-shoulder gown on the red carpet, flaunting her remarkably reduced figure after reaching her goal weight of 160 pounds in 2023.

Rumors have long swirled about Oprah's secret to weight loss, and it seems she's finally outed herself as one of the many celebrities who've turned to GLP-1 agonist medications for a trimmer physique. But here's the thing: we still don't know what specific medication or regimen Oprah used to achieve her impressive weight loss.

The 71-year-old OWN CEO finally reached her 160lb goal weight in 2023 with help from an unnamed GLP-1 agonist drug after undergoing double-knee replacement surgery in 2021

And while some stars have spoken openly about their use of these trendy injectables – including Kathy Bates, Kelly Clarkson, and Whoopi Goldberg – many others remain tight-lipped on the subject. Take Lizzo, for instance, who's been known to indulge in lavish feasts with friends but has mysteriously slimmed down without ever mentioning medication.

Meanwhile, Oprah's BFF Gayle King is getting some heat for her possible connection to one of the most sought-after GLP-1 agonist medications on the market. The two women posed adorably together at the Tony Awards, along with none other than George Clooney and Katie Holmes – but don't be fooled: we're not here to talk about their charming camaraderie (although it's undeniably fabulous).

The real tea? Oprah has been using her considerable influence to promote healthy living for years, but now some are whispering that she may have taken things a step further by turning to pharmaceuticals. After all, the FDA has only approved three GLP-1 medications specifically for weight loss: semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and tirzepatide (Zepboun). The others? They're reserved for patients struggling with type 2 diabetes.

Oprah - who relies on stylist Annabelle Harron - flaunted her slimmed-down 5ft6in figure in a black off-the-shoulder gown featuring white illusion stitching at the sides in order to further whittle her waist

Oprah's stylist, Annabelle Harron, deserves kudos for helping the media mogul showcase her svelte new physique in a stunning black gown with white illusion stitching. And hairstylist Nicole Mangrum coiffed Oprah's wavy partial updo to perfection while makeup artist Derrick Rutledge gave her complexion an enviable glow.

But we can't help but wonder: is this the secret to Oprah's weight loss, or just a clever ruse? After all, even the most devoted fans might be forgiven for feeling a tad skeptical about the billionaire philanthropist's newfound commitment to health and wellness – especially when it comes to her long-standing friendship with Stedman Graham.

Speaking of which: what exactly is going on between Oprah and Stedman these days? The two were once inseparable, but there hasn't been a public sighting of them together since January 2024. Coincidence or calculated PR move? You decide!

Hairstylist Nicole Mangrum coiffed Winfrey's wavy partial updo and make-up artist Derrick Rutledge fully contoured her complexion for the CBS-broadcast theatrical awards ceremony

As for the Tony Awards themselves, we can't help but be impressed by the nominees this year – especially when it comes to newcomers like Cole Escola (who won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his work on "Oh, Mary!") and Jak Malone (winner of Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his turn in "Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical").

But let's get back to Oprah – shall we? After all, as one of the most influential women in media today, it's high time she started sharing more about her secrets to success (and weight loss!). And if that means spilling the tea on her GLP-1 agonist regimen? Well, we're ready to listen.

Tony Awards 2025 Nominees: The Full List

The Tony-winning producer was joined by her best friend of 49 years, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King (L)

  • Best Musical:
    • Buena Vista Social Club
    • Dead Outlaw
    • Death Becomes Her
    • Maybe Happy Ending
    • Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
  • Best Revival of a Play:
    • Eureka Day — Author: Jonathan Spector - WINNER
    • Romeo + Juliet
    • Thornton Wilder's Our Town
    • Yellow Face — Author: David Henry Hwang
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play:
    • George Clooney — Good Night, And Good Luck
    • Cole Escola — Oh, Mary! - WINNER
    • Jon Michael Hill — Purpose
    • Daniel Dae Kim — Yellow Face
    • Harry Lennix — Purpose
    • Louis McCartney — Stranger Things: The First Shadow

And many more!

The Real Tea: GLP-1 Agonist Medications and the Stars Who Use Them

Oprah and the 70-year-old self-described 'astronaut' famously spent the night together the first time they met in 1976 due to a Baltimore snowstorm, but they are not lesbian lovers (pictured with producer Jordan Roth)

  • Kathy Bates has been open about her use of semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss.
  • Kelly Clarkson revealed she started taking liraglutide (Saxenda) in 2022 to aid her weight loss journey.
  • Whoopi Goldberg reportedly uses a different brand of GLP-1 agonist medication, but has yet to disclose which one.

While these celebrities have spoken publicly about their use of these medications, others remain tight-lipped on the subject – including Lizzo and Melissa McCarthy. What do you think is going on behind closed doors?

Stay tuned for more updates from The Scholarly Note!

Ominously, Winfrey hasn't been pictured with her alleged partner since 1986 - motivational speaker Stedman Graham (M) - since a group shot of friends celebrating the New Year in January 2024

The Six Triple Eight actress and King proudly posed with Good Night and Good Luck thespian George Clooney (R), who squatted down in his tuxedo in order to discuss something at Oprah's feet

The Kamala Harris campaigners also took a picture with Our Town thespian Katie Holmes (L)

Winfrey served presenting duties and took part in a skit with Tony Awards host Cynthia Erivo (R) where she asked the Wicked star to hold her finger

The self-made mogul and the British 38-year-old famously won Tony Awards in 2016 for producing and starring in director John Doyle's Broadway revival of The Color Purple, which ran from 2015-2017 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Oprah went on to executive produce Blitz Bazawule's 2023 big-screen adaptation of the same musical starring Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson (instead of Cynthia)