Oprah Winfrey Apologizes for Promoting “Diet Culture” in Livestream with WeightWatchers

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey made a heartfelt apology on Thursday for her role in perpetuating “diet culture” throughout her career. In a livestream with WeightWatchers titled “Making The Shift: A New Way to Think About Weight,” Winfrey took accountability for promoting unhealthy weight loss strategies and expressed regret for her past actions.

Despite facing decades of scrutiny from the media regarding her weight, Winfrey acknowledged her contribution to the harmful narrative surrounding body image. She admitted to participating in weight loss shows and makeovers that set unrealistic standards and sent damaging messages to viewers.

Winfrey’s decision to apologize comes after she announced her departure from the board of WeightWatchers earlier this year. While she should not bear the burden of “diet culture,” Winfrey recognized the need to address the harmful impact of societal expectations on women’s bodies, particularly Black women.

Throughout her career, Winfrey has faced relentless criticism and body shaming from various media outlets. Despite her unprecedented success as the host of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” she has been subjected to cruel and unfair treatment based on her appearance.

In a candid discussion with ABC titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,” Winfrey opened up about her struggles with self-acceptance and the damaging effects of societal pressure on her body image. She emphasized the importance of recognizing obesity as a disease and advocated for a shift towards self-acceptance and self-care.

As Winfrey bravely confronts her past and advocates for a more compassionate approach to body image, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the harmful impact of “diet culture” and the importance of self-acceptance in a society obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards.