Superstar Barbra Streisand could be forgiven for not realising she was stumbling into a social media minefield when she reacted to an Instagram photo of her friend Melissa McCarthy.
But when Barbra, 82, commented innocently 'did you take Ozempic?', the online reaction was swift - and brutal.
'Shame on you,' wrote one online critic. Others added, 'Rude, Barbra' and 'Babs. No, honey. Just no.'
But I don't think Barbra has any reason to apologise. For one thing her message – that Melissa had slimmed down and was looking great – was an honest compliment from an old pal. More importantly, the outrage brigade have got it all wrong about Hollywood, beauty and weight.
Alongside broadcasting, I've spent most of my working life as a fitness trainer and like millions of others, my clients look up to film stars as role models. They copy their hairstyles, ape their fashion sense and, more than anything, envy their figures.
‹ Slide me › Barbra Streisand commented on a photo of her slimmed-down friend Melissa McCarthy (pictured) asking if she had taken Ozempic. The online reaction was brutal, writes Nana Akua
What they often don't realise is that the sirens of Tinseltown aren't naturally more beautiful, better dressed and thinner than the rest of us. That is all just a lie.
Yes, some film stars have a head-start in the looks department, but they keep in shape by starving themselves half to death and working out daily with personal trainers. Most are aided by tweakments – liposuction, tummy tucks, Botox, sympathetic lighting and the world's best hair and make-up artists.
More recently, many of them have been resorting to the so-called 'miracle' weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which lower the amount of sugar in the blood, slow down movement of food through the stomach and, most importantly, curb appetite.
But in Hollywood, most take the drugs in utmost secrecy.
Take formerly roly-poly Rebel Wilson, who attributed her impressive weight loss in 2020 to rigorous high-intensity interval workouts, nature hikes and a high-protein, low carb diet, documenting her regime non-stop on social media.
This is the sort of thing that would prompt my clients to curse themselves for failing to be as disciplined as Wilson.
But the reality is that exercising more and eating less is difficult. It's only natural for people to struggle.
So I wasn't surprised last month when Rebel sheepishly admitted she had also been taking Ozempic: 'Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good.'
In initially refusing to admit that she was on prescription medication, while basking in the praise that came with her newly slim figure, Wilson could be seen as perpetuating the myth that film stars are a different breed, who never succumb to temptation.
But Barbra's post brilliantly punctures that myth. A-listers do struggle with their weight like everyone else. And if they are going to use synthetic methods to shed a few pounds, they should be honest about it.
After all, despite their obvious benefits, Ozempic and Wegovy come with very concerning side effects: 'Ozempic face' – the phenomenon where your facial skin hangs wrinkly and saggy around hollowed cheeks – plus gastrointestinal problems or even pancreatitis.
Those tempted by these wonder-drugs need to be able to balance the pros and cons – and they need to know whether their idol's supermodel figure is down a new diet, exercise routine or a prescription.
So good on the brave celebrities who have come clean.
Barbra Streisand shouldn't be vilified, but praised for starting an important conversation, writes Nana Akua
Take Sharon Osborne, who has said she is now struggling to put on enough weight after undergoing a course of Ozempic injections. Oprah Winfrey is another who has gone public with her use of Ozempic after many years of battling weight problems – though she too initially denied having succumbed.
American comedian and actress Amy Schumer has brilliantly nailed Hollywood's big fib: 'Everyone has been lying,' she said. ''Smaller portions' – like, shut up. You are on Ozempic or you got work done. Be real with people.'
Barbra Streisand shouldn't be vilified, but praised for starting an important conversation.
She has reminded the world that weight loss drugs are Hollywood's big new secret and second, she's suggested that it's healthy to talk about losing weight in a society increasingly blighted by obesity.
And remember that, unlike her critics, Barbra Streisand wasn't criticising anyone, but praising them. She later clarified: 'She looked fantastic! I just wanted to pay her a compliment.'
And it was a compliment! Even McCarthy knew it, saying: 'Barbra Streisand knows I exist. She reached out to me, and she thought I looked good! I win the day.'
Sadly, today's reactive keyboard warriors are just too sensitive to see it.