Serena Williams’ recent admission about her weight loss journey using GLP-1 medication has stirred mixed reactions. Among those who commented was body-confidence advocate and author Alex Light, who later clarified her stance after criticism from fans.
Williams, one of tennis’ all-time greats with 23 Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals, shared that she lost 31 pounds with the help of GLP-1 drugs provided by Ro, a company her husband Alexis Ohanian invests in. These medications are typically used for weight management, heart and kidney issues, and sleep apnea.
Initially, Light expressed concern about celebrities promoting such drugs, warning of the cultural influence it has on people without the same healthcare access. However, she later acknowledged an important aspect she had overlooked: Williams’ long history of facing racially charged body-shaming.
“A lot of people pointed out that Serena has endured a lifetime of racialized body criticism,” Light said on Instagram. “I can’t fully understand those pressures, but it’s important context when considering why she might choose to lose weight. That deserves recognition.”
Light stressed that she wasn’t judging Williams’ personal decision: “It’s her body, her choice. My concern is about the commercial promotion of these drugs. When world-famous athletes normalize and market them for sponsorship, it creates trends that trickle down to everyday people who don’t have the same safety nets.”
Williams has been candid about her struggles with weight since giving birth to her two daughters, Olympia and Adira. She explained that despite eating well and training hard, she struggled to reach her desired fitness goals until trying GLP-1 medication. She said the treatment made her feel “really good and healthy.”
Light, who has over 600,000 Instagram followers and wrote You Are Not A Before Picture, emphasized that her critique was aimed at the marketing of weight loss drugs—not Williams’ personal health choices.
