Iskra Lawrence Breaks Down Complicated Feelings About Ozempic After Eating Disorder (Exclusive)

After overcoming an eating disorder, model Iskra Lawrence has mixed feelings about the growing use of Ozempic as a weight-loss tool.

“You know what I’ve always said and will stick to: ‘Your body, your business,’” Lawrence, 34, shared exclusively with Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Elvie. “When I first heard about Ozempic, I was terrified. Then I started noticing people in my industry—whether openly or discreetly—seemed to be using it. It made me question so much.”

Coming from an eating disorder background, Lawrence worried the drug might reinforce society's obsession with thinness. “I was concerned about the class divide it could create—those who can afford it versus those who can’t. It feeds into a system of classist fatphobia,” she explained.

Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs are primarily prescribed to manage conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, but they've become popular among celebrities for quick weight loss despite medical warnings.

“I had so many thoughts and didn’t know how to feel,” Lawrence admitted. However, she also noted that some of her close friends, including fellow moms, found the medication life-changing. “For them, it was like someone holding their hand through a journey they’d been trying to navigate for years. They started feeling healthier, more motivated, and were able to calm the binge-eating voices.”

While Lawrence acknowledged the benefits some have experienced, she urged caution. “It’s important people don’t try it without proper counseling and research,” she said. “As a society, we need to be mindful. We can’t judge those who choose to use it or those who can’t access it. Fatphobia is already a huge issue, and this could make it worse. But at the same time, if this drug empowers someone to feel happy and confident, that’s something to celebrate. It’s just a lot to unpack.”

As a mom of two—4-year-old son Alpha and a 1-month-old daughter—Lawrence has faced her own battles with body image, especially during her pregnancies. “An eating disorder doesn’t disappear; you just learn to manage it. Recovery is about building a toolbox for those moments when it resurfaces,” she shared. “It’s not easy, but I chose recovery, and I remind myself that I’m capable of handling it.”

Her journey as a mother also influenced her partnership with Elvie, a breast pump company. “With my son, I struggled with breastfeeding during COVID and found comfort in using Elvie’s double pump. It gave me the freedom to care for him while still going about my day,” she said. After her daughter’s birth, she upgraded to Elvie’s Stride 2 pump, praising its hospital-grade suction and discreet design.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders website or call their hotline at +1 (866) 662-1235. You can also text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.