Serena Williams is taking her weight loss journey to the Super Bowl stage. The 23-time Grand Slam champion stars in a new commercial for telehealth company Ro, showcasing her experience with GLP-1 medication, the same type of drug she credited for shedding 31 pounds last summer.
The ad, set to air during NFL game breaks on February 8, features Williams dancing in a powder-blue tennis skirt and crop top, while a voiceover emphasizes her improved health and mobility since starting the treatment. In the commercial, Williams revealed she has lost an additional three pounds since last August.
The campaign marks the launch of a broader effort by Ro to promote the message that people can be “healthier on Ro.” NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who has reportedly lost 45 pounds using GLP-1 medication, also appears in the ad.
Super Bowl advertising comes with a premium price tag: last year, 30-second spots during the Philadelphia Eagles-Kansas City Chiefs game cost roughly $8 million, according to CBS. Williams is no stranger to high-profile endorsements, having previously promoted Michelob Ultra and Remy Martin during the Super Bowl and even performing with Kendrick Lamar during last year’s halftime show.
However, her latest promotion has reignited controversy. When Williams first revealed her use of GLP-1 medication last summer, some fans criticized her decision, arguing it conflicted with body positivity ideals. Social media posts reflected concern over promoting a prescription drug for weight loss, with some questioning its safety and impact on impressionable audiences.
Williams has previously spoken openly about her postpartum weight struggles following the births of her daughters, Alexis Olympia in 2017 and Adira River in 2023. She described periods of rapid weight loss followed by stagnation despite maintaining a professional athlete’s lifestyle. Williams credits Ro and the GLP-1 medication for helping her achieve lasting results and improve her overall well-being.
Her partnership with Ro aligns with the company’s telehealth weight management services, and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in the company.
