What Occurred To Wendy Williams?

 

 

UPDATED: 12:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 26, 2024

Wendy Williams has been making headlines just lately, with sources near the media icon reporting that she is doing “wonderful” and totally coherent, regardless of claims made by her monetary guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, in November that she was “completely incapacitated.”

On Dec. 19, images obtained by The Each day Mail confirmed the 60-year-old speak present host driving a mobility scooter as she attended her son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s faculty commencement. Williams was all smiles and dressed to impress in a glowing black gown, accessorized with silver and gold bangles. She appeared totally engaged within the ceremony, celebrating her son’s achievement as he earned his economics diploma from Florida Worldwide College (FIU).

In a number of images, Williams proudly cheered on her 24-year-old son. At one emotional second, she was captured wiping away tears, her arms clasped below her chin, as she watched her son obtain his diploma. Her 93-year-old father, Thomas Williams Sr., and her sister, Wanda Finnie, have been additionally in attendance, sharing the joyful event.

Following the occasion, Hunter Jr. shared a “fast replace” on his mom’s well being. His shut buddy, digital creator Ronald Beasley, posted a touching video recap of the commencement on Dec. 23, showcasing intimate moments of Williams celebrating along with her son and household. Charlamagne Tha God later reposted the video, which Kevin thanked him for within the feedback earlier than providing an replace on his mom’s situation.

Hunter Jr. revealed that he and his household have been doing every little thing potential to deliver Williams house, sharing that she was “sober” and wanting to “come house” and be reunited along with her family members.

“We’re preventing to make that occur as a result of isolation is killing her sooner than the rest,” Hunter Jr. penned. 

In February, Williams’ sister, Wanda, informed PEOPLE that the 60-year-old speak present host was being handled at an undisclosed facility for cognitive points. In 2023, Williams was identified with major progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia impairs language and communication abilities, whereas FTD results in important adjustments in habits, cognitive operate, and character. In November, Williams’ monetary guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, publicly acknowledged that the media mogul was “completely incapacitated” because of the severity of her well being challenges, however the media maven gave the impression to be alert and coherent throughout her son’s commencement. 

Williams gave the impression to be in excessive spirits as she prepped for her son’s commencement, with footage from Beasley’s video displaying her getting her hair and nails accomplished in anticipation of the large day. On the day of the ceremony, Williams was seen driving a mobility scooter, smiling and cheering enthusiastically for her 24-year-old son within the viewers. At one touching second, she wiped away tears as Hunter Jr. walked throughout the stage to obtain his diploma. Following the ceremony, Williams celebrated with household at a Jamaican restaurant, sharing laughter and dancing. Among the many attendees have been a number of of star’s shut kin, together with her 93-year-old father, Thomas Williams Sr., her sister Wanda, and her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter Sr.

 

Wendy Williams reportedly clashed with caretakers after the commencement. 

That wasn’t the one factor that was caught on digital camera. Video footage obtained by the We In Miami podcast on Dec. 25 confirmed Williams moving into an argument with a member of her care staff, who allegedly left her mobility scooter in the midst of the road after the household’s post-graduation dinner. 

“After which each of you walked away leaving my s–t in the midst of the road like this,” Williams shouted within the video. “Simply get the automotive please,” she continued. “Make certain it’s the correct automotive.”

When STUNT LIFESTYLE, host of We In Miami, requested what was taking place, Williams defined that the staff member had “received the fallacious automotive,” including that she had knocked on the door solely to seek out it wasn’t her automobile.

“They only left my s–t on the market,” Williams added within the video as she drove away from the digital camera.

Based on STUNT LIFESTYLE, who has been spending time with Williams and her household, after a member of the star’s care staff urged she use her wheelchair when leaving the restaurant, the media maven grew upset as she felt assured sufficient to stroll on her personal. Consequently, her son Kevin carried the wheelchair exterior whereas Williams walked unaided.

“So, I believe, in response to Wendy’s household, she was actually upset concerning the disorganization and the shortage of care,” he defined. “She indicated the automotive was not near guarantee she was like, even moving into the correct automotive. It was simply actually messy, so she was actually upset and her household was actually upset, too.”

STUNT LIFESTYLE additionally shared in a earlier video publish that Williams was “mentally sharp” and searching “wonderful” regardless of her reported well being challenges. The video captured the previous radio host smiling as she gifted her nephew a brand new t-shirt. 

Williams’ latest look follows an explosive lawsuit filed by her guardian in opposition to A&E Tv Networks in November. The lawsuit alleged that the corporate took benefit of the star throughout the manufacturing of her docuseries The place is Wendy Williams?

As beforehand reported, in a court docket submitting on Nov.12, Morrissey acknowledged that the 60-year-old speak present host had turn out to be “cognitively impaired” and “completely incapacitated” resulting from her ongoing battle with dementia. Morrissey’s lawsuit claimed that A&E “cruelly” exploited Williams’ “cognitive and bodily decline“ by producing and airing the documentary at a time when she was significantly weak and unable to consent to being filmed.

In a earlier lawsuit, Morrissey claimed that Williams was paid a “paltry” quantity for her participation within the docuseries, which aired on Feb.24 and Feb 25. Based on Morrissey, A&E Tv Networks and its associates made hundreds of thousands from the sequence, whereas Williams was allegedly paid solely $82,000 for her involvement.

 

Considerations concerning the documentary surfaced in February.

Considerations round Williams’ documentary started to buzz again in February, after he heart-wrenching trailer for her Lifetime documentary The place Is Wendy Williams? was launched.

Within the trailer, Williams’ household alleges that her court-appointed guardian hasn’t “accomplished a superb job of defending” her as they struggle to see the legendary radio and TV character. 

Based on movie star shops, Lifetime swiftly took down the trailer moments after publication. No launch date has been introduced for the leaker trailer.

This week, Williams additionally teased a potential upcoming return to the microphone on her Instagram account @thewendyexperiencepodcast, by posting an image of her sitting in entrance of a tall bookshelf with the caption, “Welcome Everybody.”

 

The picture above of Wendy Williams, captured in NYC by veteran movie star photographer Johnny Nunez, was taken round this time final yr and confirmed the once-in-demand media maven in good spirits following a really tumultuous and making an attempt few years prior. Nonetheless, this February 2023 picture proved to be one of many final public appearances thus far by the previous daytime TV queen. Since then, followers and people merely involved along with her whereabouts have solely been up to date through a small handful of unverified sources, speaking heads within the media and, satirically sufficient, rumor tales within the information.

It seems we’ve now obtained the newest life replace on Wendy Williams, and the primary of 2024, by the use of fellow veteran radio character, Miss Jones, who says her trade colleague has packed up and moved to Florida to be with household.

 

Talking through her new web radio platform, Miss Jones mentioned that she was informed by the doorman at Wendy’s outdated New York condo constructing that she was “a few months late” along with her tried wellness check-in. “Did they promote the unit? Is it available on the market?” Jonesy says of her preliminary response to the stunning revelation, happening so as to add, “They mentioned, ‘Nicely, you realize what occurred: she was getting higher, she was coming round after which she began getting sick once more. As a result of her household’s in Florida, and other people have been coming in her circle that they weren’t conversant in — like, they couldn’t get entry to her after they needed — they moved her all the way down to Florida.”

Fortunately, it’s alleged that she’s at the moment within the Sunshine State “recuperating” along with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr. Though she had main plans on the docket for a possible new speak present on a distinct community, a web-based podcast platform, co-hosting appearances on The View and even some unfiltered ‘grownup enjoyable’ when it comes to life after The Wendy Williams Present, we’re simply glad to listen to that she’s a minimum of within the presence of household and hopefully working diligently to enhance her well being standing.

Final yr, some insiders near Wendy Williams have been anxious about her sobriety.

Williams, 58 was noticed consuming at her favourite restaurant Fresco by Scott in New York Metropolis, in response to Web page Six. The New Jersey native completed the night time at a homosexual bar referred to as The Townhouse with a couple of extra libations.

Naughty However Good podcast host Rob Shuter informed the outlet that the Ask Wendy creator appeared “lonely” sitting by herself on the Italian hotspot however then “lit up like a Christmas tree to see somebody she knew.”

Shuter additionally talked about his run-in with The Wendy Williams Present host on his newest podcast.

“We had a chunk, we had some drinks, however then after we have been on the point of say goodbye, Wendy didn’t really need us to go away,” Shuter shared. He additionally mentioned that the previous TV host saved egging them on to move to a different bar to maintain consuming.

A second witness claimed that Williams “saved saying she needed to get drunk” and that she was excited about transferring to Los Angeles in three weeks.

“She wasn’t hiding [her drinking],” the diner added.

Williams stopped to talk with a couple of restaurant goers and one insider alleged that the star made a  few weird feedback.

“She informed this desk that she was on the lookout for love — and like in ‘Intercourse and the Metropolis,’ she’s keen to f–ok,” the patron alleged.

After dinner, Williams and her associates jetted over to The Townhouse for a couple of extra drinks. Williams reportedly requested the doorman if he watched The Wendy Williams Present.

“It was so odd as a result of clearly, folks know who she is,” a supply mentioned.

Followers of the “Sizzling Subjects” host “exploded” when she entered the bar. Insiders mentioned that the star took a couple of images with bar-goers and couldn’t get sufficient of the eye.

Reps for Williams haven’t commented on her newest public look.

In September 2022, Williams checked into an undisclosed rehab facility for alcohol abuse remedy. After staying on the facility for 2 months, the soon-to-be podcaster mentioned she felt “higher than ever.”

The information comes only one month after the media maven was photographed wanting comfortable and chipper as she stepped inside NYC’s Fresco by Scotto for dinner with associates in February. Donning a leather-based Louis Vuttion coat and matching denim shorts, the star donned a vivid smile and stopped to present photographers a quick replace concerning the standing of her well being.

Williams mentioned she had simply come again from the physician with excellent news.

”I simply received on the size. I weigh 138 kilos,” the previous speak present host shouted to the paparazzi, in response to TMZ. “Fairly, proper?” she added.

Whereas some followers have been comfortable to see Wendy in higher spirits since her powerful departure from the Wendy Williams Present final yr, a couple of social media customers expressed concern concerning the star’s skinny look. Some puzzled why her eyes appeared vast and alert.

“Love Ms. Wendy however one thing positively is happening along with her,” wrote one consumer, whereas one other individual chimed in:

“She doesn’t look nicely, poor Wendy.”

A 3rd consumer questioned why the star was sporting shorts in the midst of winter.

In 2022, Williams stepped away from her eponymous daytime speak present sequence after creating well being problems from her battle with Graves Illness and lymphedema.

 

What are Graves illness and lymphedema?

It’s unclear whether or not these situations have contributed to Wendy’s dramatic weight reduction nevertheless it’s nice to see the star gaining again some type of normalcy in her life. And nice issues could also be brewing for the previous daytime speak present host.

Followers of the 57-year-old media maven have been eagerly awaiting her return to her well-known daytime speak sequence The Wendy Williams Present, however the former Sizzling 97 character’s well being has struggled to get well since contracting a breakthrough case of COVID-19 in early September, now it seems as if Wendy’s well being is on the mend and she or he could possibly be gearing up for a brand new podcast.

Williams took to her Instagram final week to announce her new podcast, The Wendy Expertise, posting promotional glam photographs of herself sitting on a throne with a microphone in entrance of her. The picture was cryptically captioned, “LOADING,” leaving followers excited for her new journey. No timetables or dates have been launched round Williams’ return, however the announcement could possibly be the start of an entire new profession for the famed television host and radio character.

 

The Wendy Williams Present to finish after 13 years on air

Sadly, officers from the radio icon’s eponymous speak present have introduced that the favored sequence will probably be coming to finish “after 13 profitable years in syndication.”

A spokesperson from The Wendy Williams Present informed PEOPLE that the ultimate episode will air on Friday, June seventeenth, “with a video tribute to the long-lasting host.” Based on Web page Six, Williams gained’t make an look throughout the finale. One supply informed the publication that producers actually needed Williams “to come back again” for the present’s sign-off.

“Lots of people — particularly the mid-and low-level producers — signed up for the job due to Wendy. It feels prefer it’s simply going to finish [without her]. It’s bizarre,” the insider shared.

Previous to the unhappy information, Williams had expressed optimism about returning to her coveted purple chair, extra just lately throughout an interview with Fats Joe in Could.

Williams reassured the rapper and followers that she could be “coming to The Wendy Williams Present” quickly and forged a little bit of shade on Sherri Shepherd who’s slated to take over her time slot come September.

“I gained’t be watching her as a result of I do know what she’ll be doing and that’s probably not my factor … you realize what I’m saying?” the media titan mentioned, earlier than including:

“I really like being alone present. And I really like that individuals love to observe it, you realize, on a regular basis.”

She additionally briefly addressed her ongoing monetary battle with Wells Fargo. The Daytime Emmy Award nominee claimed that she solely had “$2 and nothing else” amid the troublesome court docket battle.

When Joe requested the movie star why she left the Wendy Present, Williams clarified:

“.. Any individual stopped giving me my cash. Any individual stopped giving me my American Categorical … I’ve no cash.”

Following the announcement, followers poured onto the shock jock’s Instagram web page to share their response to the information.

“You made Historical past…. They’ll’t take that from you,” wrote one social media consumer. “You merely grew to become too highly effective. #Not replaceable! We prepared when you’re.”

One other fan on Twitter commented:

“Wendy Williams is the blueprint for media legends. The ending of her present is unlucky however the affect of her present is undefeated.”

 

Wells Fargo Froze Williams’ Property Citing Incapacitation

On Mar. 17, throughout an interview with Good Morning America (GMA), Williams set the report straight about her reported well being troubles and her ongoing monetary battle with Wells Fargo.  Over the telephone, the previous shock jock reassured followers that her well being was “very nicely” and that she was “completely of sound thoughts.”

 

Wendy Says She’ll Be “Again” and “Brighter Than Ever”

Regardless of her difficult setbacks, Williams promised viewers that she would return again to her common daytime speak present sequence in tip-top form.

“I’m very snug. You already know, my companions with the present — everyone’s prepared,” she informed GMA throughout the interview. “Give me about three months. There are non-public issues that I’ve to take care of after which I’ll be prepared to come back again and be free and able to do my factor.”

In direction of the top of the phase, Williams despatched a message to her followers worldwide.

“Preserve watching. I’m going to be again on the Wendy present. Larger and brighter than ever,” she declared.

Wendy has been slowly creeping her method again to the general public eye. On Feb. 17, the star returned to social media along with her new Instagram account @therealwendywilliamsonline.

In a five-minute-long video, Williams and her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., had a heart-to-heart whereas strolling alongside a seashore in Florida. The 2 mentioned every little thing from her day by day routine to the demise of her mom, Shirley Williams, who handed away in December 2020. 

 

Sherri Shepherd To Take Over Wendy’s Daytime Discuss Present Slot

Throughout Williams’ lengthy hiatus, a slew of stars have been tapped to visitor host The Wendy Williams Present together with Fats Joe and Remy Ma along with actors Michael Rapaport and Invoice Bellamy, however The View’s Sherri Shepherd has turn out to be a fan favourite amongst viewers. Now, the comic and actress will take over the media icon’s daytime speak present slot along with her very personal sequence, reportedly titled, Sherri.

The Wendy Williams Present’s manufacturing firm Debmar-Mercury launched an announcement concerning the transfer on Feb. 22.

“Like our viewers, now we have been impressed by the distinctive comedic twist Sherri places on our day by day reside ‘Sizzling Subjects’ phase, her creativity and interactions with our visitors,” Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein mentioned in an announcement. “Her love for the content material and daytime followers is apparent, and we’re excited to associate along with her to create one other long-term speak franchise.”

“That is additionally a bitter-sweet second for us and our companions at FOX,” the corporate continued. “All of us have an incredible love and affinity for Wendy, who grew into a real icon throughout her 12 unimaginable seasons because the solo host of a reside, day by day speak present dishing on ‘Sizzling Subjects’ and interviewing celebrities.”

“Since Wendy remains to be not obtainable to host the present as she continues on her street to restoration, we consider it’s best for our followers, stations, and promoting companions to start out making this transition now. We hope to have the ability to work with Wendy once more sooner or later, and proceed to want her a speedy and full restoration,” the companions added.

Sherri is slated to hit TV in September 2022,  however the determination is topic to alter relying on Williams’s well being, in response to the star’s rep, Howard Bragman.

“She understands why this determination was made out of a enterprise perspective,” they mentioned in an announcement. “She has been assured by Debmar-Mercury that ought to her well being get to some extent the place she will host once more and will her need be that she hosts once more that she could be again on TV at the moment.”

 

Wendy Offers A Well being Replace

The season 13 premiere of The Wendy Williams Present was delayed plenty of instances due to the star’s ongoing well being troubles. Wendy was initially set to kick off the debut of the present’s new season on Oct. 4, however plans have been delayed to ensure that the star to hunt remedy for her “ongoing medical points,” an announcement from her Wendy Present social media account claimed. The New Jersey native’s debut was then scheduled for Oct. 18, however days later, one other assertion on behalf of the gossipy commentator was launched noting that the star could be additional delaying her return due to “severe problems stemming from her battle with “Graves Illness and her thyroid situation.” Graves Illness results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones and may trigger wide-ranging signs drastically affecting total well being.

Various visitor hosts have been tapped to cowl for the “Ask Wendy” creator throughout her lengthy hiatus together with comic Whitney Cummings and The View’s Sherri Shepherd, who held down internet hosting on multiple event. Nonetheless, followers proceed to invest when and if Williams will ever make it again to her coveted purple chair. In latest months, a slew of rumors and tales have surfaced concerning the revered speak present host’s waning well being woes.

 

Wendy’s Wheel Chair & Dementia Allegations 

Experiences surfaced earlier this week that Williams’ well being was starting to say no considerably after The Rickey Smiley Morning Present’s Toine The Don, also referred to as Antoine Edwards, shared a startling replace concerning the mom of 1’s situation.

“It’s being reported that the 57-year-old speak present host has fully misplaced all blood circulation in her legs and in her toes,” Toine mentioned throughout a Nov. 22 episode of the nationally syndicated radio present. The popular culture information reporter additionally obtained phrase that Wendy had been affected by the early levels of dementia. On his Instagram web page, Toine famous that the leisure group Lionsgate “had Wendy saved away below lock key to stop one other boozed and vodka-filled despair.”

Nonetheless, her youthful brother Tommy struck down the present’s claims throughout an interview with The Solar. Tommy, a burgeoning Youtube character, informed the outlet that Wendy was not “displaying that kind of habits to the household,” and that they “haven’t had any alerts like that and I haven’t seen something like that or have had conversations along with her that might lead me to consider that.”

“We routinely go up and test on Wendy regardless that we’re all down right here in Florida,” he added. “I attempt to make it up there and my dad speaks with Wendy steadily. So no, we don’t have any considerations regarding her psychological state. It’s all bodily.”

Some Staffers Accuse Williams Of Binge Consuming & Drug Use

Following her “breakthrough case of COVID-19,” experiences say Wendy was allegedly admitted to a psychiatric hospital the place she was present process analysis for her struggles with drug dependancy.

The Hunter Basis founder has been open about her struggles with cocaine dependancy prior to now. On a Could 2019 episode of The Wendy Williams Present, Wendy revealed that she had been dwelling in a sober home to hunt remedy.

Williams mentioned that on daily basis after filming her present in New York Metropolis that she would attend varied conferences with different people fighting dependancy across the tri-state space. She would then be pushed to the sober home by her 24-hour sober coach. A tearful Wendy informed viewers reside on air that she had no clue how she was capable of kick her dependancy.

“God was simply sitting on my shoulder and I simply stopped,” she mentioned on the time.

Some staffers on set accused Williams of binge consuming. Sources near the present’s manufacturing revealed the stunning information in a separate interview with The Solar again in September.

“Wendy was consuming on daily basis, even whereas filming the present,” one insider mentioned. Different members on set claimed that they might scent the liquor on her. A number of sources shared that the favored daytime host gave the impression to be “wheelchair-bound and bruised” when she got here on set in early September noting that she was “burdened” and “lonely.”

 

From Radio Host To The “Queen of All Media”

 

Her Tough Divorce From Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter

Wendy and her ex-husband have had a troublesome and sophisticated relationship that some have attributed to the reason for her declining well being.

Williams jumped the broom with Hunter in 1997 however later filed for divorce in 2019. Hunter, who labored intently with Williams as an govt producer on The Wendy Williams Present, allegedly cheated on the media titan throughout their 22-year-long marriage. Their relationship got here to a boiling level after Hunter’s mistress, Sharina Hudson, gave beginning to their daughter in 2019.

The no-holds-barred TV host mentioned she knew her former husband was “a serial cheat” for years.

“We have been married for nearly 22 years. We have been collectively for 25 years,” she informed listeners on The Jess Cagle Present. “I don’t remorse the day of assembly him. I don’t remorse placing up with him for all 25 years.”Wendy continued, “And that has nothing to do with him having this child or him having this aspect woman for nearly 15 years of our marriage. I’ve identified about her nearly because the starting. I’ve identified that Kevin is a serial cheat.” The previous couple shares a son named Kevin Hunter Jr.A supply claimed that Wendy was deeply jealous due to Hunter’s newfound relationship with Hudson, whom he just lately proposed to again in October. The two reportedly moved in collectively to lift their two-year-old daughter.“He’s comfortable and that’s a tricky tablet for Wendy to swallow, particularly since she hasn’t discovered somebody but,” the confidante mentioned, in response to Bossip. “It’s powerful being Wendy and relationship in such a vivid highlight. She is having a tough time. In the meantime, Kevin has all the time been so non-public. Which is the exact opposite of Wendy who gossips publicly for a dwelling.”