Wendy Williams controversy: Inside dementia, explosive documentary, family war to visit talk show queen

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Concerns over Wendy Williams’ well being peaked this week forward of an un-released docuseries exploring the lifetime of the previous talk show host who reportedly hasn’t been seen by her personal family in years.

On Thursday, a consultant issued a press release on Wendy’s behalf to “correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health,” and stated the previous talk show host was identified with “primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)” in 2023.

Williams has largely remained out of the highlight since her self-titled show was canceled in June 2022, however a brand new Lifetime documentary tried to seize Wendy’s comeback as she launched a podcast profession, solely to witness her struggles with alcohol habit and well being points.

The crew stopped filming in April 2023 when Wendy entered a facility to allegedly deal with “cognitive issues” reportedly due to alcohol abuse, and her family claimed in an interview with People journal that they solely talk with Wendy via a court-appointed authorized guardian.

WENDY WILLIAMS PRAISES SUPPORT FROM FANS AND SAYS SHE’S READY TO ‘FALL IN LOVE’ AFTER HEALTH SCARE

Wendy Williams talk show host

Wendy Williams’ family has issues for her well being amid upcoming documentary and dementia prognosis.  (Getty Images)

“The people who love her cannot see her,” Wendy’s sister Wanda instructed People. “I think the big [question] is: How the hell did we get here?”

“We’ve all seen the images over the last few months — and, really, few years — of what has seemed like a spiral for my aunt,” her niece, Alex Finnie, stated. “It was shocking and heartbreaking to see her in this state.”

While chatting with the ladies on “The View” on Thursday, Finnie admitted Williams cannot be straight contacted by family and Wendy is required to name them from a blocked quantity. 

“She went into where she is now between April and May of last year,” Finnie stated. “We went months before we were finally able to get a call.” 

She added, “I say this honestly, we went through birthdays, we went through the holidays, we went through illness. There was a period when my grandfather was in the hospital — there was no way to contact her and let her know what was going on with her 93-year-old father.”

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During one scene of the “Where is Wendy Williams?” documentary, Williams requested her driver to take her to the previous studio the place she hosted her every day talk show. She had forgotten that they had pushed previous the studio solely moments earlier than.

Wendy Williams steps out in New York wearing fur coat

Wendy’s strayed from the general public eye, and is reportedly below the care of a court-appointed guardian. (Getty Images)

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” her driver stated within the clip, per People. “I think she’s losing memory. She doesn’t know who I am sometimes.”

An announcement launched on Thursday revealed Wendy is affected by frontotemporal dementia.

“Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions,” the assertion stated.

“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.”

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Specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine are credited as a part of her “current care team” who assist Wendy “receive the medical care she requires.”

Wendy Williams and ex husband Kevin Hunter pose together

Williams was married to Kevin Hunter for 21 years earlier than they divorced in 2019 after she discovered he fathered one other baby whereas they had been married. (Getty Images)

“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances,” the assertion stated. “Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.

“Wendy remains to be in a position to do many issues for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark humorousness and is receiving the care she requires to ensure she is protected and that her wants are addressed. She is appreciative of the various form ideas and good needs being despatched her method.”

Most notably, actor Bruce Willis was identified in 2022 with the mind dysfunction which impacts communication. FTD is “the results of harm to neurons within the frontal and temporal lobes of the mind,” according to the National Institute on Aging. “Many doable signs may end up, together with uncommon behaviors, emotional issues, hassle speaking, issue with work, or issue with strolling.”

Wendy’s public health battles began years ago. Williams began her journey in the entertainment industry in the ’90s on radio airwaves before making her television debut with her self-titled talk show in 2008.

Wendy Williams poses next to star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Williams received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. (Getty Images)

Before long, Williams’ alcohol addiction behind the scenes became an issue on live television. “She can be drunk on air,” a source told People. “Slowly, we began being like, ‘What’s happening along with her?’”

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She claimed a fainting episode while dressed as the Statue of Liberty in 2017 was due to her Graves disease. By 2019, Williams revealed past issues with a cocaine addiction lead her to living in a sober facility.

“You know me for being a really open and trustworthy individual. You know Kevin and I’ve the Hunter Foundation for the great of the individuals and we not too long ago launched out 888-HUNTER quantity for people who find themselves within the battle of habit. Well, for a while now, and even as we speak and past, I’ve been residing in a sober home,” she said during a 2019 episode of her show.

“When you see me come to work glammed up, proper after the show, I do Pilates … You know I’ve had a battle with cocaine up to now,” she said. “I by no means went to a spot to get remedy. I do not know the way. God was simply sitting on my shoulder and I simply stopped … there are individuals in your family, it could be you … I would like you to know extra of the story.”

Wendy Williams and son Kevin Jr. attend Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

Wendy has one son, Kevin Jr., with her ex-husband. (Getty Images)

At the same time, Williams filed for divorce from her husband of 21 years, Kevin Hunter, after discovering he had fathered a child with another woman. Wendy and Kevin have one son together, Kevin Jr.

“[Wendy’s mom] Shirley, might she relaxation in peace, would all the time remind me that your aunt would commerce every little thing that she has — each dime, each automobile, each wig — to give you the chance to have a robust loving family and a loving husband,” Alex told People. “That was ripped from her proper after her son had to go off to school [in 2018]. Emotionally, it was only a lot. It was an excessive amount of for her world.”

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The pandemic also hit Williams hard, and she was forced to take a hiatus from the show to receive treatment for Graves’ disease symptoms in May 2020, and returned to television in September. 

“Recently, Wendy has been coping with signs from her Graves’ illness, which is inflicting fatigue. In session along with her physician and as a precautionary measure, she will probably be taking a while off as she continues to obtain remedy,” a spokesperson from “The Wendy Williams Show” said in a statement at the time.

Wendy never returned to her show. In 2022, a legal guardian was appointed over her finances and health, and court documents were sealed. Wendy later filed a temporary restraining order against Wells Fargo asking the court to “reopen any frozen accounts or belongings” and grant Williams “entry to any and all accompanying statements.”

According to Williams’ filings to the court, the bank’s move reportedly came after Williams’ former financial adviser alleged that Williams “was of unsound thoughts.”

She once lived in a sober home while working on “The Wendy Williams Show” to treat addiction issues. (Getty Images)

“All I do know is that Wendy and her workforce walked into the courtroom a method, they usually walked out, and the family is totally excluded,” Wanda told People. Meanwhile, in response to ABC News, Wells Fargo shared a statement, writing, “This matter was carried out below seal. Any claims in opposition to Wells Fargo have been dismissed.”

In February 2023, sources told Page Six it appeared as though Wendy was filming a “thriller venture” when she appeared at the trendy Fresco by Scotto restaurant with “roughly 30 individuals within the crew. Lights, cameras, audio, producers, and many others. [It] appeared like a actuality show.”

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“How did she go from this aunt or sister that we love and is wholesome one minute to this one that’s out and in of the hospital?” Wanda said. “How is that system higher than the system the family might put in place? This system is damaged.”

Williams’ son reportedly came under scrutiny for his spending but, in the documentary, denies that he ever exploited her. “I’ve by no means taken [money] with out her consent,” he said, per People.

Wendy Williams smiles as she leaves dinner in Manhattan

Williams was spotted in New York in February 2023, her last major public outing. (Getty Images)

“I stated [to the producers], ‘No, she’s not coming again up as a result of she wants to get higher,’” Kevin Jr. said in the documentary. “I made positive that enterprise was all the time on the again burner and that well being was the primary precedence.” 

Wanda added, “There isn’t an individual on this family who doesn’t need the identical factor for Wendy, and that’s her well being.” Her niece, Alex, said, “She can’t wait to begin the subsequent chapter of her life.”

During a Good Morning America interview, Alex was asked if there were any worries from the family that Wendy may be exploited by this documentary, Alex didn’t hesitate to respond.

“My aunt is govt producer of this documentary,” Alex told Good Morning America. “When I lastly talked along with her, and I stated to her, ‘Aunt Wendy, why would you like to do that? You know, you are clearly, the well being piece, all of that has to be addressed. Is now the correct time? And she stated, ‘Now is the right time as a result of I would like to take possession of my story.”

Alex added, “I stated I wasn’t gonna cry – as a result of I really feel like I’ve cried sufficient over the past 12 months and a half. But what persons are gonna see is a damaged lady who has had the world on her shoulders for thus lengthy – and simply cracked.”

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