Al Roker Tells Viewers to ‘Back Off’ Kelly Clarkson

Al Roker and Kelly Clarkson

Al Roker jumped to Kelly Clarkson’s defense this week amid criticism of the singer’s recent revelation that she has used weight loss medication.

Many celebrities have opened up about their use of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs in the last year amid a rise in the medications’ popularity. Clarkson, 42, has shared parts of her weight loss journey with fans, attributing her “dropped weight” to her diet and fitness strategies while speaking with People for an interview that was published earlier this year.

However, during the Monday, May 13 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the “Since U Been Gone” singer revealed that she has used medication for weight loss. The American Idol winner and her guest, Whoopi Goldberg, both shared details of their respective weight loss journeys on the NBC daytime talk show, with Goldberg explaining that the “wonderful shot” she has taken has “been really good for me.”

Clarkson told The View co-host that she “ended up having to do that too,” though in her case, the medication “is a different one than people assume.” Clarkson added that the reason she began taking the medication was because “my bloodwork got so bad.”

Related: Every Star Who's Admitted To Using Ozempic, WeGovy and Other Weight Loss Drugs (So Far)

Clarkson later said outright that the medication she took for weight loss was not Ozempic. “Everybody thinks it's Ozempic, it's not,” she said, adding that the medication is “something else” that “aids in helping break down the sugar, obviously my body doesn't do it right."

In the days since Clarkson’s mid-show admission, she has faced backlash from some who accused the “Stronger” singer of hiding her weight loss medication use while emphasizing the roles that exercise and eating habits have played in her journey.

Others, including Roker, have jumped in to defend the “Because of You” singer.

“There’s too much judgment going on,” the Today weather anchor told his co-hosts on Tuesday, May 14, while discussing the criticism aimed at Clarkson. Roker, who has been open about his own health struggles following his gastric bypass surgery in 2002, then reminded viewers that there are healthy ways to use weight loss medication when done in collaboration with medical professionals.

“You know, people—as long as they’re working with their doctors and being healthy about it, people ought to just back off and let them live their lives,” the 69-year-old said.

Roker’s calls for people to “back off” were reiterated when Goldberg brought the topic up for discussion during the Wednesday, May 15 episode of The View.

"People have all kinds of issues, and we have to let people do what they need to do to get to where they need to get to,” Goldberg explained to the show’s audience. The conversation ended with hosts urging people to "Leave Kelly Clarkson alone.”

Next: Kate Winslet Sends Pointed Message to Celebrities Using Ozempic for Weight Loss