Skip To...
A few weeks ago, Lifetime dropped the trailer for the new two-night documentary series Where is Wendy Williams?, which will focus on the titular celeb’s current lifestyle as she juggles family, fame, and prosperity. In the documentary, it is suggested that Williams has been suffering from cognitive impairment.
Williams Faces Cognitive Issues
“My mom has done a great job making it seem like everything is okay always, but in reality, there’s something wrong going on,” Wendy’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr., shared in the three-minute trailer. Williams’ family notes signs of decline within the 59-year-old, such as trouble remembering, losing one’s train of thought, and changes in mood or behavior.
According to Williams’ sister Wanda Finnie and niece Alex Finnie, she is being treated at an unknown facility for her cognitive issues.
“I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me. She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment,” Wanda confirmed.
“We cannot reach out to her, but she can reach out to us. And she is in a healing place emotionally. She’s not the person that you see in this film.”
“I’m proud of my aunt for taking control of her narrative because my aunt has always been such a public person and has been an open book, and we’ve all seen the images over the last few months and really few years of what has been like a spiral for my aunt,” Alex spoke highly of Williams.
“So for her to actually put her voice in here and take ownership of what’s happened, where she’s at present day… I think it’s powerful.”
Prior Health Concerns
In October 2017, Williams fainted live on her show due to dehydration. The following year, she revealed that she has Graves disease, which causes hyperthyroidism. She was officially diagnosed with these conditions two decades prior to disclosing.
In 2019, Williams confirmed her lymphedema diagnosis, adding to her list of ailments. These health issues forced her to take multiple hiatuses from her show.
During this time, she also faced significant criticism and backlash for controversial instances while on the air. These include remarks towards a 14-year-old victim of R. Kelly, Joker actor Joaquin Phoenix, and passing homophobic comments.
The Silver Lining
But Alex confirms that her aunt seems to be improving leaps and bounds.
“She sounds really great. To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is, just how focused she is on the importance of family and the reality in terms of facing and understanding where she’s at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180.”
More will be revealed when Where is Wendy Williams? premieres on Lifetime on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
