Actress Kathy Bates is now practically unrecognisable after shedding 100Ibs in a major lifestyle and diet transformation over the past seven years.
The 76-year-old’s initial seven-stone weight loss was kickstarted by fitness and diet alterations before she dropped even further on the scales with the help of Ozempic.
Kathy, whose career spans over five decades, has spoken openly about her weight loss, previously admitting the process was ‘hard work’.
Stepping out recently, however, the American Oscar-winner was positively glowing, practically unrecognisable with her trimmer physique.
Kathy beamed as she stepped out in New York City, arriving at the CBS Morning Show to promote her new series, Matlock, which follows Madeline Matlock as she rejoins a prestigious law firm to win cases and expose wrongdoing.
Keen to show the love to her supporters, Kathy stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos with eager fans.
In high spirits despite her early call time, she was guided by security through the crowds, later changing to a glam satin ensemble as she appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
In the past, Kathy was seen to set the record straight on how she transformed her life – and health – after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Speaking to People, the Memphis-born movie star said: ‘There’s been a lot of talk that I just was able to do this (lose weight) because of Ozempic.
‘But I have to impress upon people out there that this was hard work for me, especially during the pandemic. It’s very hard to say you’ve had enough.’
Ozempic, a brand of semaglutide, is primarily used for diabetes but also for weight management. As of 2024, the controversial drug is no longer available in the UK as a weight-loss injection, after shortages meant people living with Type 2 diabetes were unable to get prescribed the drug.
Kathy went on to say that her own diabetes diagnosis in 2017 impacted her self-esteem, prompting her to eat more.
‘[Diabetes] runs in my family, and I’d seen what my father had gone through. He had had a leg amputation. One of my sisters is dealing with it very seriously, and it terrified me. It scared me straight.’
On how she adapted her diet, she confessed to eating ‘terrible’ before, as her meals consisted of ‘burgers, Cokes, and pizza.’
She then stopped eating after 8pm but, despite having a stricter approach to nutrition these days, isn’t cutting out sweet treats completely.
‘We’ve been having trucks come to the lot over at Paramount to thank the crew, and yesterday we had Pink’s Hot Dogs,’ she said following production on her new series.
‘“Oh, my God, I hadn’t had a hot dog in such a long time. Today I’m getting back on my track.’
Kathy did express concern about what her life would look like following Matlock, however.
‘That’s going to be my next thing that I’m worried about because I won’t be on set running back and forth.
‘I have a treadmill here at the house, and I might try Pilates. People always ask, “Don’t you want a trainer?” No, I really don’t. I don’t want anybody over my shoulder.
‘It’s just very important to me to keep this going. I don’t want to slip.’