Richard Simmons SLAMS Barbra Streisand for THAT backhanded Ozempic compliment to Melissa McCarthy

Richard Simmons has weighed in on Barbra Streisand's backhanded Ozempic compliment to Melissa McCarthy who managed to brush off the controversy.

The 75-year-old reclusive fitness legend took to his Facebook to make a rare public comment about a current event and even managed to slam the 82-year-old acting and singing legend - who recently broke her silence about the issue - in the process.

Richard praised the 53-year-old comedian and even revealed that he is a fan of her work as he said: 'I love Melissa McCarthy…. I have seen every one of her movies.'

Then he pulled no punches when it came to Barbra, who he purposely opted not to name and use her initials instead before apologizing to Melissa on behalf of the Funny Girl star for her public comment.

He continued: 'A famous legendary singer, B.S. , made a remark about her weight loss…and was asking if she had used a popular weight loss shot. What a question. 

Richard Simmons has weighed in on Barbra Streisand 's backhanded Ozempic compliment to Melissa McCarthy who managed to brush off the controversy .

There was a social media firestorm earlier this week when Barbra (pictured in August 2016) asked if Melissa was on Ozempic in an Instagram comment

The 75-year-old reclusive fitness legend took to his Facebook to make a rare public comment about a current event and even managed to slam the 82-year-old acting and singing legend  in the process

'I apologize to Melissa for these remarks. And by the way, Melissa you look fabulous! Love, Richard'

Richard has been going through his own personal battle as back in March he revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer in an emotional Facebook post after discovering a 'strange looking bump' under his right eye. 

The announcement came just days after the reclusive star sparked fears he was dying with a worrying social media post, writing: 'The truth is we all are dying.' 

Meanwhile, Melissa looked unbothered by the controversy as she hit the red carpet at the Unfrosted premiere in Hollywood on Tuesday. 

Earlier this week, Barbra sparked backlash when she commented on an Instagram photo of Melissa sporting a slimmer frame: 'did you take Ozempic?' 

The singer, 82, issued a groveling apology soon afterwards and Melissa proved there were no hard feelings as she joked: 'Barbra Streisand knows I exist!' in an Instagram clip on Tuesday, ahead of the premiere. 

The entertaining video began with Melissa reading a magazine centered around the A Star Is Born actress. 

The camera panned out and McCarthy stated, 'The takeaway. Barbra Streisand knows I exist.' 

Then the 75-year-old reclusive fitness legend (pictured in May 1992) pulled no punches when it came to Barbra, who he purposely opted not to name and use her initials instead before apologizing to Melissa on behalf of the Funny Girl star for her public comment

Richard (seen in LA back in September 2013)  has been going through his own personal battle as back in March he revealed he was diagnosed with skin cance r in an emotional Facebook post after discovering a 'strange looking bump' under his right eye

Meanwhile, Melissa looked unbothered by the controversy as she hit the red carpet at the Unfrosted premiere in Hollywood on Tuesday 

Melissa proved there were no hard feelings as she joked: 'Barbra Streisand knows I exist!' while reading a magazine about The Star Is Born actress in an Instagram clip on Tuesday

Melissa sported a noticeably slimmer frame at the premiere. The star - whose weight has fluctuated throughout the years - is pictured right in 2014

She then revealed Babra, 'reached out to me and she said I look good. I win the day.' To end the reel, Melissa began to read the magazine once again. 

In the caption of the post, the Tammy actress penned to her fans and followers, @barbrastreisand fan club members only!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.' 

Social media users jumped to the comment section to applaud Melissa's response, with one typing, 'A class act.' 

Another fan wrote, 'Exactly - this how a goddess responds to an icon. All love and fabulousness.' 

Melissa put on an animated display as she joined other celebrities on the red carpet at the screening which took place at The Egyptian Theatre. 

The actress looked lovely in a long-sleeved, floral-print dress which she teamed with nude heels that were partially concealed by the long hem of the flowy outfit.  

She added a matching headband on top of her head, and allowed her locks to flow down in light waves past her shoulders. 

Melissa accessorized her look with a pair of floral-shaped earrings, as well as flashy rings and chunky bracelets on her right wrist. 

On Tuesday ahead of the premiere, Melissa uploaded a short Instagram clip which began with her reading a magazine centered around the A Star Is Born actress

Barbra notably sparked backlash earlier this week after she asked McCarthy if she is on Ozempic, and issued a groveling apology soon afterwards; seen in February in L.A. 

Earlier on Sunday, Melissa had posted photos of herself wearing a layered, greenish blue tulle dress as she attended the 2024 CTG Gala in L.A. alongside Adam Shankman

Melissaa long-sleeved, floral-print dress that contained hues of pink, red and also green

Streisand then issued an apology on her Instagram stories and explained, 'OMG - I went on Instagram to see the photos we'd posted of the beautiful flowers I'd received for my birthday!'

In the comment section, Barbra penned, 'Give him my regards did you take Ozempic?' - which sparked backlash soon afterwards

Another wrote, '@barbrastreisand in shock with that comment,' while a fan added, @barbrastreisand this cannot possibly be the real Babs'

The Gilmore Girls alum easily carried an cream-colored, hexagon purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the evening. 

Melissa was seen striking a variety of poses on the red carpet upon arriving to the venue, and also was accompanied by husband, Ben Falcone. 

He sported an olive green suit which was paired with a coral-colored dress shirt that was left partially unfastened around the collar. For a final touch, he also wore a pair of tan loafers.  

She also crossed paths with some of her Unfrosted co-stars, including Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan. 

Earlier on Sunday, Melissa had posted photos of herself wearing a layered, greenish blue tulle dress as she attended the 2024 CTG Gala in L.A. alongside Adam Shankman.

In the comment section, Barbra penned, 'Give him my regards did you take Ozempic?' - which sparked backlash soon afterwards.

One Instagram user typed in response, '@barbrastreisand wow really! What happened to not talking about Bodies! As a mother of a daughter that's not ok we as women need to not focus on appearance.'

Another wrote, '@barbrastreisand in shock with that comment,' while a fan added, @barbrastreisand this cannot possibly be the real Babs.'

Melissa was seen striking a variety of poses on the red carpet upon arriving to the venue, and also was accompanied by husband, Ben Falcone

She also crossed paths with some of her Unfrosted co-stars, including Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan

The comedic-drama is set to premiere on Netflix next month on May 3 - and was also directed by Seinfeld; seen with CEO & CCO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan 

The film follows the creation of the Pop-Tart and talked about working alongside McCarthy

Melissa plays Donna Stankowski in the film 

Babra then issued an apology on her Instagram stories and explained, 'OMG - 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!' 

Melissa also briefly responded to the drama in a recent video as she enjoyed a casual outing. 

When asked if Barbra's comment had been 'out of line,' McCarthy waved her hand and replied, 'I think Barbra is a treasure and I love her.' 

The comedic-drama is set to premiere on Netflix next month on May 3 - and was also directed by Seinfeld. 

The star-studded cast in the project also includes Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Max Greenfield, Peter Dinklage and Christian Slater. 

The premiere of Unfrosted is: 'In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever,' per an official IMDB synopsis.   

During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Jerry opened up about the film which follows the creation of the Pop-Tart and talked about working alongside McCarthy. 

'Oh, she is the greatest. And she's so experienced. She comes on the set and she helped me with cameras and blocking, because she knows so much about making films.' 

He explained, 'Me coming from TV, you don't really move the cameras that much. But with film, you can do anything - even though it's, of course, technically video. So she was so helpful and brilliantly funny.' 

Barbs' barbs: Who else has felt the wrath of her acid tongue? 

Broadway legend Barbra has also had numerous feuds with fellow celebrities over the years, including Donald Trump, Larry Kramer and Oprah. 

Oprah 

In 2003, Barbra appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show wearing a white turtleneck and carrying her white dog Sammie around the studio.

Barbra and Oprah (pictured) clashed when she appeared on her talk show in 2003

After a musical performance during which Barbara used a white microphone, Oprah called her out for matching even the microphone to her outfit and dog.

She said: 'I want to just say this... I own this studio, I've been here I don't know how many years. I've never seen a white mic.'

Barbara replied to Oprah: 'It's actually off-white, to match my off-white sweater. I like simplicity, and monochromatic frames.'

'So you had the mic sprayed?,' Oprah asked again in an encounter that Comedian Kathy Griffin said was eating at Oprah for weeks in her book Official Book Club Selection.

Donald Trump 

In 2018, Barbra claimed that President Trump's politics made her 'gain weight'

In 2018, Barbra claimed that Donald Trump was making her 'gain weight' as she resorted to comfort eating in order to deal with the current state of politics.

She then added to Australia's Stellar magazine that the 'lying' President was making her feel 'kind of depressed' as she stayed up until the wee hours after eating chocolate and ice-cream.

'Trump lied from the beginning, and I just honour the truth - in my work, in my life, I love the truth. I think it's so powerful,' Barbra stated.

'The truth, to me, is the essence of living in a democracy and I guess what offends me so much is Trump seems to care so very little about it, because he continues to lie day after day and make up things, you know?'

Larry Kramer 

Barbra and Larry clashed over television adaptation of his play The Normal Heart 

Barbra and Larry were embroiled in a saga over the television adaptation of his play The Normal Heart for years. 

Barbra optioned the rights to The Normal Heart back in 1986 but apparently could not raise the money to get the project made.

A leaked email from Larry to Barbra back in 2012 highlighted his frustration, as he told her she 'did not have quite the same burning passion to make it as you always claim.'

Yet Barbra defended herself, insisting: 'In the press, Larry kept speaking out against me. 

'But I think it's unfair to keep blaming me for the movie not getting made. 

'I worked on it for 25 years, without pay. Larry had the rights for the last 15 years and he couldn't get it made, either. Those are the facts.'

Bradley Cooper 

Barbra wasn't impressed with Bradley's 2018 remake of a Star Is Born 

When Bradley's 2018 remake of her 1976 film A Star Is Born was released, Barbra couldn't help but show her disappointment in the finished result. 

She confessed she was initially on board before she heard about Bradley's involvement.

Barbra explained: 'At first, when I heard it was going to be done again, it was supposed to be Will Smith and Beyoncé, and I thought, that's interesting.

'Really make it different again, different kind of music, integrated actors, I thought that was a great idea. 

So, I was surprised when I saw how alike it was to the version that I did in 1976..,

'I don't care so much about success as I do originality.'