Barbra Streisand has insisted that a comment about Ozempic aimed at fellow American star Melissa McCarthy was a "compliment".
Bridesmaids star McCarthy posted pictures on Instagram from the Center Theatre Group (CTG) gala, wearing a pastel green tulle dress with a matching blazer, alongside the American director Adam Shankman in a baby pink suit.
Yentl star Streisand left a comment on the post: "Give him my regards did you take Ozempic?" referencing the type two diabetes medicine acknowledged as effective for weight loss.
The comment, which was swiftly deleted, sparked furore online.
Addressing the backlash on her Instagram story, Streisand told her 1.6 million followers: "I went on Instagram to see the photos we'd posted of the beautiful flowers I'd received for my birthday.
"Below them was a photo of my friend Melissa McCarthy, who I sang with on my Encore album.
"She looked fantastic! I just wanted to pay her a compliment.
"I forgot the world is reading!"
When asked about the comment in a video circulating online, McCarthy said: "I think Barbra is a treasure, and I love her."
Streisand is one of a handful of performers to have achieved EGOT status, a term for a select group of stars who have received at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award during their careers.
Her comments come after Oprah Winfrey starred in an ABC special titled Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution.
The special focused on weight-loss medication, which the TV host had previously admitted to taking, although she has not specified which medication.
Source: Press Association
