Here’s a bold statement: The rich aren’t just wealthier—they’re healthier, and they’re living longer because of it. But here’s where it gets controversial: What if you could buy your way into their world of elite healthcare? That’s the tantalizing promise of a new Super Bowl ad from telehealth giant Hims & Hers, and it’s sparking a conversation that’s equal parts fascinating and unsettling.
The ad kicks off with a provocative claim: ‘Rich people live longer.’ What follows is a dizzying montage that feels like a spoof of America’s wealthiest wellness enthusiasts. There’s a man bathing in red light, à la Bryan Johnson, the multimillionaire obsessed with cheating death. A bald cowboy tips his hat as a rocket launches—a not-so-subtle nod to Jeff Bezos, who’s recently become the poster boy for age-reversal startups. And let’s not forget the woman whose face is pulled taut, reminiscent of Kris Jenner’s infamous facelift. Dan Kenger, Hims & Hers’ chief design officer, insists these are just ‘symbols of an intimidating, members-only healthcare culture.’ But let’s be real—the parallels to actual billionaires are hard to ignore.
The ad’s voiceover drives the point home: ‘They get the best of everything. So why don’t you?’ Hims & Hers, known for weight-loss and hair-restoration treatments, is now positioning itself as your ticket to a world of concierge doctors, personalized therapies, and cutting-edge care. But here’s the part most people miss: This ‘democratized’ healthcare comes with a price tag. And while it’s not as extravagant as a facelift, it’s still out of reach for many.
Telehealth platforms like Hims & Hers operate like an Amazon for drugs, making it easier than ever to get prescriptions for everything from Adderall to testosterone. Sure, they claim you need a virtual consultation first, but that detail is often buried in the fine print. The message? Healthcare is a transaction—and if you can pay, you can play. But this model isn’t without its risks. In the past two years, two telehealth companies have been sanctioned for inappropriately prescribing stimulants. Hims & Hers hasn’t faced federal scrutiny—yet.
Last year, the company made waves with a Super Bowl ad promising access to GLP-1s for weight loss, tapping into Americans’ envy of celebrities who could afford these pricey drugs. Now, the demand has shifted to testosterone and peptides—unproven but hyped by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Joe Rogan. Hims & Hers is ready to cash in, having launched a low-testosterone program and acquired a peptide-manufacturing facility. But here’s the kicker: Their ‘personalized’ drugs aren’t FDA-approved, and the agency is now investigating them for selling compounded GLP-1 pills.
And this is where it gets really messy. The medical community is sounding the alarm, warning that these platforms make it too easy to access unsafe or unnecessary drugs. The Obesity Society, for instance, advises against compounded GLP-1s, which may lack proper active ingredients. Yet Hims & Hers continues to market itself as a champion of accessibility, even as it stops selling the controversial pills under pressure.
The ad is clever—almost too clever. Narrated by rapper Common and backed by socially conscious messaging, it taps into Americans’ frustration with a broken healthcare system. Pew Research shows 71% of us are worried about healthcare costs, and Hims & Hers positions itself as the solution. But is it? Or is it just another way to sell us on the billionaire wellness myth?
Here’s the real question: Are we so desperate to live like the rich that we’ll overlook the risks? And is Hims & Hers truly democratizing healthcare, or just monetizing our envy? Let’s discuss—because this is one debate that’s far from over.
