TV Icon Wendy Williams’ Fight Against Guardianship and Declared Illnesses

Iconic television personality Wendy Williams has found herself in a public battle against her guardianship, likening her current situation to being imprisoned. The beloved former daytime talk show host has been living under a guardianship since 2022. Furthermore, her care team revealed last year that she had been medically diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, two conditions known to affect language and communication abilities.

Nonetheless, during a recent call-in to the popular radio program, “The Breakfast Club,” Williams adamantly denied these claims. “Do I seem that way, god damn it?” she posed the question to the show’s hosts DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, and Jess Hilarious.

“I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I’m saying? But I feel like I’m in prison,” she commented, referring to the care facility where she currently resides. “I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s … There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.”

Support from Family

Williams’ niece, Alex, also expressed her support for her aunt during a phone-in to the same show. She painted a picture of the stark living conditions in Williams’ room at the facility, which she described as having “a bed, a chair, a TV, a bathroom and she’s looking out one window at buildings across the street.” Alex went on to reveal that while Williams is permitted to call her family and friends, they are not allowed to call her, and she does not have access to the internet through a laptop or iPad. Williams also stated that she has spent her last three birthdays alone due to the high-security protocols at the facility, asserting: “This is what is called emotional abuse.”

Controversy: The Lifetime Documentary

Williams also commented on the two-part Lifetime documentary titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?” which aired shortly after her diagnosis was publicly announced. Her guardian, Sabrina E. Morrissey, attempted to stop the documentary’s release, citing exploitation as a concern. In response, A&E and Lifetime countersued, alleging that Morrissey had anticipated the documentary would critique her role as guardian.

“She was the one who wanted to do that, you understand what I’m saying?” Williams stated, referring to the documentary. She further expressed her dissatisfaction with the current system, exclaiming: “What do I think about being abused? Look, this system is broken, this system that I’m in. This system has falsified a lot.”

At the time of writing, Morrissey had yet to comment on Williams’ statements on “The Breakfast Club.”

Online Support and Advocacy

To rally support for Williams, her niece Alex urged people to use the hashtag #FreeWendy and sign the petition on Change.org. Alex confidently stated, “My aunt sounds great. I’ve seen her, in a very limited capacity, but I’ve seen her and we’re talking to her. This does not match an incapacitated person. And that’s why we say she’s in a luxury prison, because she is being held and she is being punished for whatever reason that other people are coming up with as to why she has to be kept in this position.”

Williams’ Career and Health Challenges

Wendy Williams hosted her eponymous show from 2008 to 2021. However, she had to step down due to health issues. The show aired its final episode in June 2022 after a succession of guest hosts filled in for Williams.

“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,” read the press release announcing her diagnosis last year.

“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 release added. “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.”

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Wendy Williams is a complex one, filled with health issues, legal battles, and emotional upheaval. Yet, through it all, her determination and resilience continue to shine through. It remains to be seen how this situation will further unfold, but one thing is for certain: the support for Wendy Williams, from both her family and her fans, continues to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What were Wendy Williams’ diagnoses?

In 2022, Wendy Williams’ care team reported that she had been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia.

2. What is Williams’ current living situation?

Williams is currently living in a care facility under a guardianship.

3. How has Williams responded to these circumstances?

Williams has publicly spoken out against her guardianship and the diagnoses, likening her current situation to being imprisoned.

4. How can people support Wendy Williams?

People can show their support for Williams by using the hashtag #FreeWendy and signing the petition on Change.org.

Credit: variety.com