Barbra Streisand clarifies Ozempic query to Melissa McCarthy: ‘Wanted to pay her a compliment’
When it comes to writing music, Barbra Streisand can have a way with words. Instagram comments? Not so much.
The legendary “Funny Girl” and “A Star Is Born” entertainer, 82, shed light on her latest Instagram activity after she went viral Monday for asking Melissa McCarthy if she was using a popular weight-loss medication. In a statement shared to her Instagram stories on Tuesday, Streisand clarified she wanted to praise “The Little Mermaid” star’s look from her and choreographer Matthew Bourne’s appearances at the Center Theatre Group’s annual gala over the weekend.
On Monday afternoon, McCarthy, 53, had shared photos of her and Bourne’s gala glam. “Pastels only to honor the incredible @matthewbourne13 at the @ctgla gala last night with this fella @adamshankman!! Thiiiiis much closer to my dream of dancing on stage 💃🏻💚🩷,” McCarthy captioned her photos.
The duo earned praise from Hollywood peers, including actors Glenn Close and Mariska Hargitay who both commented, “gorgeous.”
Robert O’Hara’s new “Hamlet,” as well as the Broadway tours of “Life of Pi” and “Parade,” are among Center Theatre Group’s 2024-25 season offerings.
“These lewks are yummy,” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer commented on McCarthy’s photo.
“Absolutely stunning. thank you so much for honoring @matthewbourne13 at the gala with us. We love you!!!,” Center Theatre Group responded.
However, hours after McCarthy shared her photos, Streisand commented, “Give him my regards did you take Ozempic?,” according to multiple screenshots shared on social media.
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, is an injectable diabetes medication that has in recent years become Hollywood’s go-to quick weight-loss drug. Amy Schumer, Sharon Osbourne, Chelsea Handler and Tracy Morgan are among the celebrities who have been public about using Ozempic.
“OMG,” the singer began her Tuesday missive. Streisand explained she opened up Instagram to look at photos of flowers from her recent birthday celebration.
“Below them was a photo of my friend Melissa McCarthy who I sang with on my Encore album,” she wrote. “She looked fantastic! I just wanted to pay her a compliment.”
Ozempic and other drugs raised the possibility of reversing the country’s obesity crisis. Doctors are frustrated that they’ve made health disparities worse.
Streisand’s nonchalant comment on Monday quickly garnered divided reactions on social media. In the comments section of McCarthy’s post, followers wrote, that the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner “should be ashamed of herself!”
“Babs. No, honey. Just no,” one user responded to Streisand’s comment, which has since been deleted on Instagram.
On X (formerly Twitter), some users laughed at Streisand’s offhand comment, and others gave the Broadway icon the benefit of the doubt. “Omg somebody please teach Barbra Streisand how to send a DM,” wrote one user.
“Omg. I think she thought this was a DM?” echoed another X user.
“Nah, she meant that...and knew right where she posted it,” responded a fourth user.
Patients taking Ozempic and other trendy injectables are going under the knife to correct the side effects of rapid weight loss, which include sagging skin, hollow cheeks and an aged appearance.
The “Yentl” star added in her Tuesday statement: “I forgot the world is reading!”
In a brief encounter with TMZ published Tuesday afternoon, McCarthy brushed off Streisand’s comment. “I think Barbra is a treasure and I love her,” the Oscar-nominated “Bridesmaids” star said in a video.
For years, McCarthy has been open about her appearance, speaking publicly about experiences with fat-shaming and how she has come to accept herself.
“Somewhere in my 30s, I was like ‘I’m okay with who I am.’ And if someone wasn’t thrilled with that, that’s okay too,” she told People in 2023. “At some point I was like, ‘They’re not all going to like you.’ You have to learn that the hard way, but it’s a good [lesson].”
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