In 2009, Eric Stonestreet experienced two significant changes in his life. Firstly, he secured a role in the critically acclaimed ABC sitcom “Modern Family,” where he portrayed Cameron Tucker for 11 seasons alongside Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Mitchell Pritchett. This role propelled him to fame. However, it was also during this year that Stonestreet received the news of his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, which brought him feelings of shame as his career was on the rise.
Stonestreet initially kept his diabetes diagnosis private, feeling embarrassed about it. He started taking Mounjaro, a weight-loss medication recommended by his doctor in 2022, leading to improved blood sugar levels. Although his physical appearance has changed since starting the medication, Stonestreet clarifies that his decision was driven by health concerns rather than appearances.
Now, Stonestreet has partnered with Eli Lilly and Company, the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro, to share his journey with the drug and help destigmatize the use of weight-loss medications. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can encourage others to open up about their own struggles.
Despite his success on “Modern Family,” Stonestreet admits to feeling uncomfortable watching himself on screen and struggled with self-image, particularly due to his diabetes diagnosis. He has not disclosed his Mounjaro use to his former castmates yet but anticipates their support upon the announcement of his partnership with Eli Lilly.
Stonestreet acknowledges that discussing his health journey openly is a new experience for him but hopes that by sharing his story, he can inspire others to do the same and break the stigma surrounding weight-loss medications.
‘My doctor told me I needed to take better care of myself,’ and I agreed.”Additionally, there is a growing controversy surrounding Ozempic online. Doctors are describing it as the ‘wild west.’ Stonestreet is uncertain about how his weight loss might impact his career. His primary motivation for starting Mounjaro has always been his health and managing Type 2 diabetes. He believes that people working on future projects may not be as surprised when they take his measurements.”I’m not suddenly going to transform into Brad Pitt and have a chiseled physique at 175 pounds. Let’s be realistic here. I will always be a big-boned, Kansas, corn-fed guy,” he explains. “However, it’s exciting to see clothes fitting better and to be going down in size. Wardrobe personnel on shows won’t be so shocked when they learn I wear a size 50 jacket. In Hollywood, anything above a 45 or 46 raises eyebrows. It’s amusing. So, it’s something to look forward to.”The Weight-Loss Medication StigmaWeight loss medications have become more mainstream in recent years, with personalities like Oprah Winfrey sharing their experiences with them. Despite this, these medications often come with a level of stigma. Medical professionals stress that there is no shame in using them under proper medical supervision.Stonestreet anticipates facing negative comments when the public discovers his use of Mounjaro.”People can be cruel on social media, and hurtful remarks are inevitable, which is okay. I understand. Some people find solace in being mean to others to boost their own self-esteem,” he comments. “For me, it has been effective, and I can’t judge others for their choice to use similar medications.”On a positive note, Stonestreet recognizes that his openness about his journey may inspire and support individuals in similar situations. He aims to show them that they are not alone and that there is no shame in seeking help through weight-loss medication. It’s a lesson he acknowledges took him some time to grasp.”I hope the takeaway for everyone is to find someone to talk to about it and bring it out into the open instead of keeping it hidden,” he concludes.This article was originally published on USA TODAY: ‘Modern Family’ star Eric Stonestreet opens up about weight loss with Mounjaro.
