Barbra Streisand's innocuous question sparked a wave of criticism online, forcing her to delete the comment and leaving her facing backlash for discussing Melissa McCarthy's weight in a public forum.
Social media can be a precarious minefield, especially for celebrities with millions of followers. Barbra Streisand recently found herself in an awkward predicament after she left an insensitive comment on Melissa McCarthy's Instagram post.
McCarthy had shared a series of stunning photographs from an event celebrating choreographer Matthew Bourne. The actress looked radiant in a mint green tulle dress, but Streisand chose that moment to inquire about her weight-loss methods.
In a now-deleted comment, Streisand wrote, "Give him my regards did you take Ozempic?" referencing a popular Type 2 diabetes medication that has become a controversial tool for weight loss.
The bluntness of the question generated a swift backlash online, with many accusing Streisand of being insensitive and rude. Some users suggested that Streisand's comment was a mistake, intended to be a private message rather than a public inquiry.
"I feel like this was meant to be a [direct message]," one user speculated. "Does Babs know that we can all see that?" another questioned.
However, others condemned Streisand's remarks, arguing that discussing someone's weight in such a public manner was an invasion of privacy.
"Yikes to everyone saying it should be a private message, this is an inside thought that doesn’t make it to the outside," one user wrote. "She's an old lady. Old ladies say mean things," another dismissed.
McCarthy has previously spoken openly about her struggles with weight and the cruel comments she has faced because of her size.
"I've been every size in the world," she told Us Weekly. "Parts of my 20s, I was in great shape, but I didn't appreciate it. If I was a 6 or an 8, I thought, 'Why aren't I a 2 or a 4?'"
Despite the backlash, McCarthy has remained confident and unapologetic about her body.
"Now I feel like I have two great kids and the dreamiest husband on the planet, and everything else is just a work in progress," she said.
Representatives for both Streisand and McCarthy have yet to respond to requests for comment. However, Streisand's social media blunder serves as a reminder that even celebrities can make regrettable missteps in the digital age.
