Current:Home > reviews'Where Is Wendy Williams?': The biggest bombshells from Lifetime's documentary -TradeBridge
'Where Is Wendy Williams?': The biggest bombshells from Lifetime's documentary
View
Date:2025-04-12 01:36:54
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
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Nebraska is evolving with immigration spurring growth in many rural counties
- Ben Affleck’s Surprising Family Connection to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
- Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey agree to record three-year, $72.3 million extension
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Forced to choose how to die, South Carolina inmate lets lawyer pick lethal injection
- Father of Georgia high school shooting suspect charged with murder, child cruelty
- Texas Republican attorney general sues over voter registration efforts in Democrat strongholds
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- A small plane from Iowa crashed in an Indiana cornfield, killing everyone onboard
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Unstoppable Director Addresses Awkwardness Ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck Film Premiere
- Donald Trump might make the Oscar cut – but with Sebastian Stan playing him
- A parent's guide to 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice': Is it appropriate for kids?
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Get 50% Off BareMinerals 16-Hour Powder Foundation & More Sephora Deals on Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Jannik Sinner advances to US Open final as Jack Draper vomits, battles heat
- Delinquent student loan borrowers face credit score risks as ‘on-ramp’ ends September 30
Recommendation
What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
It Ends With Us' Brandon Sklenar Reacts to Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Feud Rumors
Father of Georgia high school shooting suspect charged with murder, child cruelty
Report: Connor Stalions becomes interim football coach at a Detroit high school
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Redefine Maternity Style With the Trendy and Comfortable Momcozy Belly Band
Phoenix police officer dies after being shot earlier in the week, suspect arrested after shooting
NFL ramps up streaming arms race with Peacock exclusive game – but who's really winning?