Jackie Goldschneider didn’t hold back when addressing her Real Housewives of New Jersey costar Dolores Catania’s admission that she’s been using the weight loss drug Mounjaro during the season 13 reunion.
The conversation unfolded during part 2 of the reunion, which aired on June 6, 2023. Jackie, 46, shared her thoughts on the matter and expressed concern about the potential dangers of weight loss drugs like Mounjaro.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to want to lose weight,” Jackie began. “But the problem is that one day people might have to stop using these medications, and when they do, studies show that they tend to gain all the weight back very quickly.”
Having previously opened up about her own struggles with anorexia, Jackie added, “People are addicted to being thin, and when the medications stop working, they might find themselves looking for other, potentially dangerous ways to maintain their weight.”
Her comments were in direct response to Dolores, 52, who admitted during the reunion that she had turned to Mounjaro earlier that year, ahead of the reunion taping, to lose weight. Dolores explained she didn’t want to appear larger than her co-stars when facing the cameras. “I wasn’t going to come to the reunion looking any bigger than anyone else,” Dolores confessed.
Mounjaro is a medication primarily used to treat diabetes but has recently gained attention for its off-label use as a weight loss drug, along with other medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Jackie’s Concern Over Weight Loss Medications
While Jackie acknowledged that weight loss can be a personal and valid goal, she voiced concerns about the long-term effects and the potential for people to struggle when they have to stop using such drugs. She expressed fear that the sudden cessation of weight loss treatments could lead to the resurgence of unhealthy habits, as people become fixated on maintaining their thinness.
Dolores’ admission about using the drug to slim down ahead of the reunion had already sparked discussion on social media. In a previous appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Dolores also shared that her main side effect from the medication was a lack of hunger.
Jackie’s Memoir and Personal Growth
During the reunion, Jackie also opened up about her own personal journey with body image. She revealed that she was in the early stages of recovery from her eating disorder while filming season 13, which made her decision to be a part-time “friend” of the Housewives a beneficial one for her health.
Jackie is currently working on a memoir about her recovery, titled The Weight of Beautiful, which is set to release in September. She described how writing the book had been a significant part of her healing process.
“I was only a few months into recovery when we were talking about casting,” Jackie explained. “I had gained a lot of weight in a short period, and I didn’t feel good about myself. Being part-time gave me the space I needed to focus on my recovery and write my book, which was really important for me.”
The Reunion Drama Continues
As The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 13 reunion continues, the discussion surrounding weight loss drugs and body image remains a key talking point. Viewers will have to tune in to the final part of the reunion on June 13 to see how the other Housewives react to Jackie’s concerns and Dolores’ controversial weight loss approach.