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As Hollywood goes public on cosmetic procedures ranging from facelifts to hair restoration, Serena Williams is opening up about one “did they or didn’t they” question that still permeates around town.
The 23-time Grand Slam champ is the new celebrity ambassador for telehealth company Ro — specifically, the direct-to-patient healthcare platform’s FDA-approved GLP-1 treatments, which reduce glucose levels among those with Type 2 diabetes and help support weight loss. The four-time Olympic gold medalist reveals that her goal is to normalize the conversation about using the medication, which she says she has been using to reach her weight goals.
“I trained at the highest level, ate a clean diet, pushed myself, and still, after having kids, my body just wouldn’t respond. I realized it wasn’t about willpower; it was biological. My body needed the GLP-1 and clinical support,” the tennis legend says in a statement. “I’m partnering with Ro because if I needed help as a top athlete doing everything at level 10, I know others are struggling too, and everyone deserves access to the treatment they need. This isn’t a shortcut. It’s healthcare.”
In a recent video spot, the 43-year-old athlete reveals that Ro helped her lose 31 pounds in eight months. “Yes, I’m on Ro. They say GLP-1s for weight loss is a shortcut. It’s not, it’s science. After kids, it’s a medicine my body needed,” she says.
Williams joins NBA icon Charles Barkley as Ro’s latest celebrity ambassador; the tennis star’s husband, Reddit co-founder Alex Ohanian, is also an investor and board member of the company. The tennis GOAT has been sharing her wellness journey on social media and also recently announced that she joined Ritual as the supplement company’s first Women’s Health Advisor.
The Ro Body weight loss program for qualified patients begins with an initial consultation fee of up to $99 for the online health assessment and a monthly membership fee of $145 (the first month is only $45) for ongoing treatment support that includes an insurance concierge that takes care of the paperwork, weight tracking, nutrition coaching and unlimited check-ins with medical providers. The cost of injection or vial medications (such as Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy) are not included in the membership and vary on your insurance coverage, and patients also have the option to pay with cash ($349 to $1,000 per month; learn more at ro.co.
In addition to weight loss treatments, Ro offers virtual healthcare and prescription treatments from real medical providers, with or without insurance. The telehealth company treats concerns such as fertility, skin, hair loss, fertility and daily health maintenance.