Oprah Winfrey Resigns from WW Board to Pursue Weight Loss Medication Documentary
Oprah Winfrey has stepped down from her position on the board of directors of WW to focus on producing a television special centred around weight loss medications.
The renowned TV host, aged 70, recently announced plans for her first primetime special in three years, addressing a “very personal” topic related to weight loss. During an appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, Oprah revealed that she chose to resign from the board of WW, formerly known as WeightWatchers, to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
Explaining her decision, Oprah stated, “I decided that because this special was really important to me and I wanted to be able to talk about whatever I wanted to talk about, and Weight Watchers is now in the business of being a weight health company that also administers drug medications for weight. I did not want to have the appearance of any conflict of interest.”
In light of her resignation, Oprah donated all her shares in WW to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, ensuring transparency and eliminating any perception of profiting from her upcoming TV special.
Oprah’s journey with weight loss, which began after knee surgery in 2021, has involved the use of a weight loss drug to maintain her figure and avoid fluctuating weight. Her upcoming television special, titled ‘An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution’, will delve into the impact of prescription diet medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy.
The program aims to explore the profound effects of these medications on individuals struggling with weight and obesity. Through discussions with medical experts and patients, Oprah hopes to address issues of health equity and combat the stigma surrounding weight.
In a statement regarding the project, Oprah emphasized its personal significance, stating, “It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity.”
