Gardell began appearing in advertisements for A1C medication Ozempic in 2021.

(2021) TV commercial, "My Zone," with Billy Gardell and directed by Maya Goodwin, for Ozempic from Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals.

The Ozempic "Tri-Zone" (a phrase concocted by marketers, not medical experts) promised improved blood sugar control, lower cardiovascular risk, and weight loss. At the bottom of the ad, fine print that's easy to miss states: "Ozempic is not a weight loss drug." Talk about mixed messages!

Tracy Morgan. Morgan surprised fans in August 2023 when he revealed during a Today With Hoda and Jenna appearance that he was using Ozempic. “No, that's Ozempic. That's how this weight got lost,” he said when talking about his health journey.

Elon Musk, when asked about how he looked "fit, ripped and healthy", said in a tweet posted in October 2022 that he was taking Wegovy, the Ozempic-containing drug sold under the brand name. Variety too said in an article that actors and producers are "singing the drug's praises" on Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

Gardell underwent bariatric weight loss surgery almost two years ago at the recommendation of his medical team to reduce his risk for severe COVID-19. He said he's also been working to improve his relationship to food. “Self-care is important, and I think I finally got there,” he said.

Gardell also tried using the controversial weight loss drug Ozempic, which he even starred in an advert for in 2021. The medication was originally supposed to be used by people who suffer from diabetes, which the actor had at the time, but has since been used as a way of losing weight at a rapid speed.

This drug has a boxed warning about possible risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. In animals, Ozempic can increase the risk of thyroid tumors.

How much weight can you lose in a month on Ozempic? One study found people who received weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of about 15 pounds after three months and about 27 pounds after six months, which translates into about a 5-pound weight loss per month.

Ozempic also interacts with the part of your brain that suppresses appetite and slows food movement through the stomach and digestive track. As a result, this medication has been shown to help people eat less and lose weight.

While no one in the Kardashian-Jenner family has admitted to using Ozempic, there are several stars who have come forward to defend their use of the drug. Comedian Tracy Morgan revealed on the “Today” show in August that he gives himself an injection weekly - aside from also working out at the gym.

People ingesting the supplement, even at standard doses, may feel nauseated and vomit; their blood pressure may rise and their hands and feet might tingle, said Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who studies supplements.