Current:Home > Invest'Where Is Wendy Williams?': The biggest bombshells from Lifetime's documentary -Prosperity Pathways
'Where Is Wendy Williams?': The biggest bombshells from Lifetime's documentary
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:20:09
Days after Wendy Williams' frontotemporal dementia diagnosis was revealed, the talk show host's declining health was the focus of a raw new Lifetime documentary.
The network on Saturday aired the first part of its documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?," which shows Williams struggling with her health, including the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease. It also deals with Williams being placed under a financial guardianship in 2022. She says she has "no money" as a result.
The former talk show host also thanked well-wishers for their supportive response amid her diagnosis.
"I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming," Williams said in a statement released to The Associated Press through a representative for her care team. "The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion."
These were the biggest revelations from the first episodes of the documentary.
Wendy Williams maintains she's 'very healthy' after wellness center stay
Early in "Where Is Wendy Williams?," Williams pushes back on the decision to admit her to a wellness center in California, which occurred soon after she was first interviewed for the documentary in 2022. She says her manager, Will Selby, and guardian took her there, but when asked why, she insists, "I don't know."
After Selby interjects to say that Williams "needed some rest," she says she "can rest right here." Williams then declines to answer more questions. "I'm very healthy," she says.
Wendy Williams' nephew says she almost died in 2020
In the documentary, Williams' friend and former co-worker, DJ Boof, describes becoming concerned about her health while working with her as she filmed her talk show from home in 2020. Noting her delayed reactions and tiredness, he says he thought, "This is not COVID doing this."
Williams was hospitalized that May. Her nephew, Travis Finnie, says that DJ Boof "was there, and he called us crying, saying that she's going to die, and she needs help." Finnie adds that Williams received three blood transfusions, and "that's the only reason she's alive today." He blames this medical emergency on Williams' drinking.
DJ Boof also recalls going to the hospital to check on Williams at that time and being unsure if she knew who he was. "I just felt like she wasn't the same person anymore," he said.
Wendy Williams Lifetime documentarywill air despite her guardian's lawsuit, judge rules
Wendy Williams didn't know she wouldn't return to her show
Williams' talk show was canceled in February 2022 after she had been on hiatus due to her health issues. Her niece, Alex Finnie, describes sharing this news with Williams, who still believed she would return to the show.
"My aunt did not know she was not going back to the show," Finnie says, adding that after she told her the show had been canceled, "She didn't believe it."
Wendy Williams' son says he hasn't seen her in 8 months
Kevin Hunter Jr., Williams' son, says during one interview for the documentary that he last saw his mother eight months ago, when she came down to Florida to spend time with her family in 2021.
During that time, Williams appeared to be doing "a lot better," her nephew, Travis Finnie, said.
According to Finnie, she returned to New York to deal with the court case in which she was placed under financial guardianship. Ever since then, Williams' son has been "completely financially cut off," Finnie says. But Hunter denies that he was trying to exploit Williams financially.
Wendy Williams' loved ones express concern about her drinking
Throughout the documentary, those around Williams express concern about her drinking.
In one scene, her manager, Will Selby, confronts her about finding an empty bottle of alcohol in her room. Selby says he looks for alcohol in her apartment every time he comes over and has found bottles in her bathroom and closets.
Later, Williams orders an alcoholic beverage at a restaurant, but Selby privately tells the waiter to bring her a virgin drink. Williams also says alcohol has led to tension with her son. But she defends her drinking, saying, "I bet we all drink. Why can't I?"
Talk show host Wendy Williamsdiagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia
Filming shuts down after Wendy Williams displays erratic behavior
An extended scene in the second episode sees Williams being driven to a vape shop but sparking confusion after insisting it's not the same shop she usually goes to. She berates her publicist, sending her into the shop multiple times, and tells her driver to look around for a different location. Eventually, the documentary producers step in to say they need to stop filming. After the incident, Williams' driver expresses concern that she's "losing memory," saying she sometimes doesn't know who he is.
Williams behaves aggressively towards people around her at multiple other points, including by telling her publicist to get liposuction. "There are some times when Wendy is just a little bit more aggressive," Selby says.
"Where Is Wendy Williams?" will continue Sunday on Lifetime at 8 p.m. ET.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- How husband and wife-duo JOHNNYSWIM balance family, music
- Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0 after Messi gets hurt
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, July 14, 2024
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Mechanical issues prompt 2 Delta Air Lines flights to divert, return to airport
- Katy Perry defends new song 'Woman's World' as 'satire' amid terrible reviews
- Second day of jury deliberations to start in Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score? Indiana Fever rally to beat Minnesota Lynx
- Trump's family reacts to assassination attempt: 'I love you Dad'
- What to know about the attempt on Trump’s life and its aftermath
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Mass dolphin stranding off Cape Cod officially named the largest in U.S. history
- Miami mayor outraged by Copa America disaster at Hard Rock Stadium, joins calls for change
- Armie Hammer Details Why He Sold Timeshares in the Cayman Islands Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
As a Nevada Community Fights a Lithium Mine, a Rare Fish and Its Haven Could Be an Ace in the Hole
Botched's Dr. Paul Nassif and Pregnant Wife Brittany Reveal Sex of Baby No. 2
Exes Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes Reunite at Copa America Final Match
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
How many points did Caitlin Clark score? Indiana Fever rally to beat Minnesota Lynx
Katy Perry Calls New Woman's World Song Satire After Facing Criticism
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment