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Sacha Baron Cohen has cleared up comments he made earlier this week, in which he appeared to credit the controversial weight-loss drug Ozempic for his shredded new physique, only to now insist it was all “just a joke”.
The 52-year-old comedian and actor, known for playing eccentric characters like Borat, Ali G, and Brüno, stunned fans this week when he revealed a dramatically toned new look in Men’s Fitness UK. The transformation comes as Cohen reportedly prepares to take on the role of Marvel’s next supervillain Mephisto, a project that has already generated major buzz among superhero fans.
Cohen took to Instagram on Wednesday to share shots from the magazine shoot, showing off his defined abs and muscular frame in a series of topless photos. The surprise came in the caption:
“Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, some use personal trainers. I did all three,” he joked.
He followed it up with more self-aware humour:
“This is not AI. I really am egotistical enough to do this. Debuting my new character: middle-aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes.”
Sacha showed off his dramatic transformation - Credit: Simon Needham/Mensfitness.co.uk
The post quickly racked up thousands of likes and comments, many of them assuming the Ozempic reference was serious. That prompted a swift response from Cohen’s reps, who clarified to several entertainment outlets that the comedian was "only joking" and that his body transformation was 100% the result of “hard work”.
The joke struck a nerve online, largely due to the current climate surrounding Ozempic, a diabetes drug that’s found popularity, and controversy, in Hollywood as a quick-fix solution for rapid weight loss. Public figures like Sharon Osbourne, Chelsea Handler, and Elon Musk have all commented on or been linked to the drug.
Critics argue that jokes about using Ozempic, even in jest, can be damaging or misleading, particularly when coming from someone in the public eye.
“It’s giving mixed messages,” one X user wrote. “He’s clearly worked hard for that body, but joking about shortcuts makes it harder for people trying to get healthy the right way.”
Others defended Cohen’s tongue-in-cheek humour, noting that sarcasm is his brand.
“He’s literally Borat, guys. Of course he’s joking,” one Instagram follower wrote.
The transformation comes amid rumours that Cohen has been cast as Mephisto, a powerful Marvel villain tied to the WandaVision and Doctor Strange universes. Though unconfirmed by Marvel Studios, leaks and on-set reports suggest he’ll make his debut in the upcoming Ironheart series or a future Midnight Sons project.
