Jameela Jamil Says She’s Not ‘Ripping’ or ‘Slamming’ Serena Williams for Weight-Loss Drugs: ‘I Love Serena’
Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion turned health advocate, recently opened up about her journey with GLP-1 weight-loss medications thanks to her new role with the telehealth provider Ro. Despite being a former top-tier athlete, Williams explained that in the years following the births of her daughters, she reached a plateau. Some fans praised Williams’ honesty regarding her recent weight loss. But Jameela Jamil took to Instagram to give her thoughts. Here’s what Jamil initially posted about Williams and how she later clarified that she wasn’t “slamming” the legend.
Jameela Jamil called out celebrities using GLP-1s for weight loss following Serena Williams’ announcement
Serena Williams is getting more candid than ever about her recent weight loss. After extensive research and overcoming her initial reservations, she began using a GLP-1 treatment (reported as Zepbound) and has since shed 31 pounds over approximately eight months. Far from framing it as a fast track, Williams stresses that it enhanced, not replaced, her commitment to fitness and wellness. And she is determined to challenge the stigma surrounding such medications.
“I was doing everything right — working out, eating clean, following the plan,” Williams said in a campaign video for Ro, according to CBS News. “But my body wasn’t responding the way it used to. I knew my body was missing something it needed.”
Unfortunately, Williams’ message isn’t sitting well with some famous folks. The Good Place star Jameela Jamil called out celebrities selling GLP-1s on Instagram.
“Serena Williams is selling GLP-1s,” Jamil posted on Aug. 24, 2025. “The thing I feel most uncomfortable with here is that celebrities have access to doctors most others don’t have access to. These ‘miracle’ weight loss drugs come at a price. The side effects can include paralysis of the gastric system, pancreatitis, cancer, hair loss, osteoporosis, severe malnutrition, muscle mass loss, depression …, thyroid issues, blindness, and they can really wreak havoc on your metabolism.”
Jamil noted that those who have to “suddenly come off” GLP-1s often quickly regain the weight they lost.
“If things go wrong, you don’t have a billion dollars to fix it,” she continued, “that’s why I don’t like celebrities pushing drugs with such drastic documented side effects.”
Jameela Jamil clarified that she’s not attacking Serena Williams
After Jameela Jamil’s post mentioning Serena Williams’ GLP-1 usage, she posted a video of herself on Instagram.
“Woke up to a bunch of headlines about me saying that I ‘attacked’ Serena Williams. I ‘slammed’ Serena Williams; I ‘ripped’ her. I ‘ripped’ her? What is that?” Jamil said. “I didn’t say anything about Serena Williams specifically. She can do what she wants with her body. I think transparency is great. We need more of that from celebrities.”
However, Jamil noted that she wants the average person to be careful when it comes to buying what celebrities are selling. Celebrities have access to doctors, personal trainers, IVs, and nutritionists. Most others don’t.
“These drugs can be amazing, and life-changing, and life-saving for people,” Jamil continued. “They can also be literally life-ending for others. There are serious side effects, as there are with any drugs.”
She also alluded that Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, invested in the telehealth company, Ro.
‘The Good Place’ star said publications are ‘inaccurately’ reporting on what she said
On Aug. 25, 2025, Jameela Jamil posted a screenshot of publications reporting on her comments regarding Serena Williams and GLP-1s.
“Inaccurate reporting of what I said,” she posted over the screenshot. “I never criticized her for saying she used the drug. I actually admire transparency. I have an issue with privileged celebrities pushing drugs with dangerous side effects to their followers when so many lack appropriate healthcare.”
Jamil ended her text by reminding her fans that she “loves” the tennis pro and “would never ‘RIP’ or ‘SLAM’ her.”
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