Simone Biles Diabetes: Why Is She in Mounjaro Ads?

Fans are concerned about a Simone Biles diabetes diagnosis after her appearance in several ads for Mounjaro. This drug, though known for its weight loss effects, is intended as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. The commercial also features Nellie Biles, Simone’s adopted mother, who suffers from the disease. Here’s an explanation of what is going on with Simone Biles appearing in diabetes ads during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What is the Simone Biles diabetes commercial about?

Simone Biles is appearing in Mounjaro diabetes commercials due to a paid sponsorship, though Biles is not diabetic and doesn’t take Mounjaro mediciation.

Looking even closer at Mounjaro ads on the website of the drug’s manufacturer, Lilly, there is text clearly indicating the “Simone does not have type 2 diabetes or take Mounjaro.” According to the short FAQ on the page, it makes it clear that Nellie Biles lives with type 2 diabetes and that Simone is “an advocate for her health and the health of others living with type 2 diabetes.”

That said, neither Simone nor Nellie take Mounjaro and that they are partners with the pharmaceutical company mainly “to help raise awareness about a treatment option for adults living with type 2 diabetes.” In a post by Simone Biles on Instagram, an image of Nellie Biles with the logo of Mounjaro also makes it clear that Nelli does not take the drug.

Mounjaro is an injectable prescription medicine that is taken by injection through a single-dose pen. Taken once a week, it is meant to help regulate blood sugar and decrease food intake. This is why it’s commonly prescribed for weight loss, though that’s not its intended use.

Lilly is an official sponsor for Team USA for the 2024 Olympic Games. As such, it also has a partnership with gymnast Suni Lee, a fellow teammate of Simone Biles, for ezcema.