An online store has recently launched a Halloween costume inspired by the rising popularity of weight loss injections, specifically Ozempic. Yandy, a controversial American online retailer, is now offering the “Sooo Snatched Costume” on its website, which features a blue and red tank-style dress with the words “Snatched: Semaglutide Injection” printed on it. The costume also comes with a pillbox hat designed to resemble a semaglutide injector syringe. The outfit was originally listed for $39.95 but is currently on sale for $23.97.
The release of this unconventional Halloween costume coincides with the increasing use of once-weekly semaglutide injections for their off-label weight loss effects. Ozempic, a medication approved by the FDA for treating Type 2 diabetes, works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormone to help regulate blood sugar levels and promote a feeling of fullness by slowing down stomach emptying. Other weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have also gained popularity for their weight loss benefits.
Celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Clarkson have openly talked about using weight loss medication, contributing to the growing trend. However, the popularity of Ozempic has led to a global shortage of the drug needed for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, with some semaglutide injections costing up to $1,500 per month.
Yandy has a history of releasing controversial Halloween costumes, such as a Handmaid’s Tale-inspired outfit in 2018 that received backlash for being sexualized. The online retailer had named the costume the “Brave Red Maiden” but later removed it from their website after criticism. In 2020, Yandy introduced a “sexy hand sanitizer” costume amid the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to bring light-heartedness to Halloween.
Pilar Quintana-Williams, Yandy’s vice president of merchandising, stated that the brand’s intention with these costumes is to bring humor and lightheartedness to the holiday season. Despite the mixed reactions to their costumes, Yandy continues to push boundaries with its unique and sometimes controversial Halloween offerings.