Hollywood’s biggest stars brought glamour to the 2026 Oscars red carpet, but a striking trend too emerged: a noticeable thinness among many of the attendees. The observation has sparked a wider conversation about body image and the increasing prevalence of weight-loss drugs in the entertainment industry.
Several leading actresses, including Demi Moore, Emma Stone, and Nicole Kidman, appeared particularly slender as they walked the carpet on Sunday night, according to reports. The observation wasn’t limited to those stars, although. Even actors typically seen at a more average weight – Barbie Ferreira, Kathy Bates, Lizzo, and Melissa McCarthy – appeared thinner than before, either at the Oscars or the subsequent Vanity Fair after-party.
The shift in physique has led to speculation about the use of medications like Ozempic and other GLP-1 injections, originally designed for individuals with type 2 diabetes, but increasingly used for weight loss. “It’s difficult not to draw a line between this new trend for thinness and the rise of weight-loss drugs,” one observer noted. The drugs have become widely accepted, even in Hollywood, as a means to quickly shed pounds.
The trend echoes a return to the “heroin chic” aesthetic of the 1990s, characterized by jutting cheekbones and visible rib cages. Rebel Wilson, Serena Williams, and Oprah have all publicly acknowledged using weight-loss drugs in recent months, but many others are suspected of doing so privately. This year’s Oscars, some are saying, could be rebranded as the “Ozempic Olympics.”
Concerns are growing about the potential health risks associated with the use of these drugs for cosmetic purposes. Leading doctors have warned that some stars are now at “extreme” risk, and have highlighted terrifying new side effects. The situation has also raised ethical questions about the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
The trend has also sparked concern about its impact on public perception. “Zulke beelden voeden eetstoornissen” (“Such images fuel eating disorders”), one writer noted, highlighting the potential for harm, particularly among young people. The conversation surrounding body image and the influence of celebrity culture continues to evolve, and the 2026 Oscars have undoubtedly added fuel to the fire.
