Kathy Bates appeared on the cover of Variety this week, showcasing a noticeably slimmer physique and pushing back against critics who have attributed her weight loss solely to the diabetes medication Ozempic.
Bates, who has spoken publicly about a years-long effort to improve her health after a 2017 type 2 diabetes diagnosis, told the magazine that Ozempic helped her lose the final 15 to 20 pounds but was not the only factor in her transformation. "People say, 'Well, it was the Ozempic.' F**k you, it was the Ozempic!" she said, adding that she had worked for years to slim down after the diagnosis and family history of the disease.
The actress, who previously lost about 80 pounds before beginning Ozempic, said the medication made the last stage of her weight loss and maintenance easier. Bates noted improvements in mobility, breathing and overall comfort, and said the change has reduced soreness and helped her continue working on physically demanding projects.
Bates is returning to higher visibility with the starring role in the television revival of Matlock, for which she recently received an Emmy nomination. She said the timing of her improved health and the new role has been "unbelievable," allowing her to stand and move throughout long shooting days in ways she could not earlier in her career.
Designers have started sending Bates garments to try on, a new experience that prompted an emotional reaction when a dress she assumed would not fit did. She recounted being moved to tears when the dress fit and described the process of adjusting to life without the weight she had relied on as a form of "armor." Bates said the emotional release surprised her and that she is still learning what the changes mean personally.
Bates has been open about her medical history, including surviving ovarian and breast cancer and managing lymphedema; she said weight loss has lessened the need for compression sleeves on her arms. She also uses a treadmill and has emphasized steady, long-term efforts to improve her health.
Her comments come amid wider public scrutiny of celebrities who have disclosed use of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications for weight loss, a trend that has drawn debate about accessibility, medical necessity and public perception. Bates stressed that her use of the drug was part of a broader, years-long process driven by medical advice and personal health goals rather than a sudden fix.
Bates recounted an earlier turning point in her career when she felt hindered by her weight while performing on the NBC series Harry's Law, which aired from 2011 to 2012. She said the physical demands of that period prompted a renewed commitment to losing weight and improving her well-being.
As she promotes her work on Matlock and continues to receive offers from designers and industry colleagues, Bates said she is adjusting to the practical and emotional effects of her weight loss. She described the experience as "magnificent," noting the unexpected personal insights that have come with the changes late in her career.