Per RadarOnline, the amount of money in Wendy Williams’ frozen Wells Fargo account is reportedly “unknown” after figures relating to her guardianship have been paid out from the account. “You have now five attorneys who Wendy did not select and who Wendy has nothing to do with that are all getting paid out of Wendy’s finances,” an inside source told the outlet.
However, the news comes amid major restructuring for the TV icon’s team. Publicist Shawn Zanotti has reportedly been out of her role with Williams since May 2023. Meanwhile, manager Will Selby, who featured heavily in Where Is Wendy Williams?, reportedly no longer works for Williams in an official capacity. The news about Selby especially comes as a shock as recently as last month he was confirmed to still be working for her. Williams reportedly remains in a cognitive treatment facility in Florida. She recently went public with a diagnosis of dementia and aphasia.
Meanwhile, Lifetime’s Where Is Wendy Williams? aired despite a legal challenge to block the program. Just days before its late February premiere, Williams’ filed a lawsuit to block Lifetime from airing the show. Sabrina Morrissey petitioned a judge for a restraining order. However, the move was unsuccessful. Despite this, fans agreed after watching the show that it should not have been aired.
Despite this, fans were confused as to why a white attorney is Williams’ guardian, as opposed to a member of Williams’ family. “Wendy has a son, a brother, a father and a sister that is an attorney. How is this happening, why can’t one of them be her guardian? Who’s advising the son, he’s her next of kin, there has to be some rights he has! Smh, I hate seeing this happen to her. Smh,” one person noted. “Her son needs to fight to be made her guardian. How is this woman I’ll and her guardian is letting her drink entire bottles in her bedroom,” added another.
Even prior to its release, Lifetime’s new docuseries Where Is Wendy Williams? has been a hot topic of debate. The project documents the beloved personality’s battle with addiction, financial struggles, and more. Early previews sparked concern among fans, who began to grow suspicious that she was being exploited by producers. This speculation was only compounded when days before the release, it was revealed that Williams was diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. Producers have since denied knowing of Williams’ diagnosis during filming.
Now, Williams’ earnings from the docuseries have been revealed, even further fueling outrage. Reportedly, she was paid $400K. While that’s certainly no small chunk of change, some fans think she deserved far more for the project, which put some of her most vulnerable moments on display. Allegedly, the 18-page contract she signed in 2023 with Lifetime’s parent company outlines a payment plan, which would see her earn $100K per episode of the docuseries. She was also reportedly given a daily stipend of $1K to cover hair, makeup, and other grooming costs.
Wendy Williams visits SiriusXM Studios on August 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Producers of the doc continue to face scrutiny for their participation in the project, particularly considering some recent revelations about Williams’ financial situation. Earlier this month, for example, it was reported that there was a federal tax lien imposed on her NYC condo. Reports suggest that the icon owes the government $558,451.57 in unpaid taxes. Her ex-husband Kevin Hunter also recently accused Williams’ own sister of taking advantage of her financially.
Allegedly, her sister took roughly $15 million from her while she was undergoing treatment in Florida. What do you think of Where Is Wendy Williams? What about the personality’s reported earnings from the docuseries? Are you surprised? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Fans have been up in arms about Lifetime’s new docuseries Where Is Wendy Williams? since before it was even released. Early previews gave viewers an intimate look at some of the personality’s most vulnerable moments. She opened up about her financial struggles, clashed with her staff, and more. It didn’t help that only days before the first episode of the doc came out, it was revealed that Williams was diagnosed with dementia and aphasia in 2023. Of course, this prompted even more suspicion that the icon was exploited by producers, though they deny knowing of her diagnosis before filming.
Last month, Williams’ temporary guardian Sabrina Morrissey filed a lawsuit against Lifetime’s parent company in an attempt to prevent the doc from coming out. Ultimately, her attempt was unsuccessful. Now, however, previously sealed documents from the suit have been unveiled. The docs reveal details of Williams’ current condition, as well as Morrissey’s argument.
Sabrina Morrissey Claims Wendy Williams Needs Daily Supervision
Wendy Williams attends the 50th anniversary celebration of Wilhelmina with co-host Patti Hansen on November 14, 2017 in New York City.
In her suit, Morrissey claimed that Williams wasn’t capable of handling her own business affairs when she signed the contract. She also said Williams couldn’t handle her executive producer role to ensure she was portrayed in a dignified light. According to her, Williams needs constant supervision to “ensure her safety, well-being, and comfort, and to preserve her dignity.”
Morrissey maintains that the docuseries was pitched to her as an uplifting comeback story. She also claims that she believed she’d have an opportunity to watch the final cut before it aired. Obviously, that didn’t happen, and countless fans and peers think producers did the beloved talk show host dirty. What do you think of Where Is Wendy Williams? What about her guardian’s unsealed lawsuit? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
It goes without saying that it’s been a tough few months for Wendy Williams. The personality’s Lifetime docuseries came out last month and has since resulted in a great deal of controversy. Just ahead of the doc’s release, it was also revealed that Williams has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. For these reasons, supporters suspect foul play on the part of producers and accuse them of exploiting Williams by putting her most vulnerable moments on display for the world to see.
In the doc, for example, Williams opens up about her financial struggles, revealing that she’s not bringing in the kind of money that she used to. There have also been various reports that people in her life, including her own family members, have stolen money from her. Now, the icon is facing yet another serious consequence of her fortune running dry.
Wendy Williams is seen walking in Midtown in the rain on October 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) *** Local Caption *** Wendy Williams
According to TMZ, the federal government recently hit Williams with a tax lien on her New York City condo. This means that if she doesn’t pay up soon, they can start foreclosure proceedings, and take ownership of the property themselves. According to legal docs filed in January, she currently owes them $558,451.57 in unpaid taxes. Records show that she purchased the condo back in 2021 for roughly $4.5 million. This latest development has only increased fans’ concerns surrounding Williams’ team.
The outlet reports that her financial guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, was appointed in the spring of 2022. It’s unclear at the time of writing whether or not she, or Williams, is handling the violations. What do you think of reports that Wendy Williams owes over $500K in unpaid taxes? Are you surprised? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
A report from Radar Online has revealed that neither the longtime manager nor publicist of Wendy Williams currently working for the TV legend despite their heavy presence in her recent documentary. Publicist Shawn Zanotti has reportedly been out of her role with Williams since May 2023. Meanwhile, manager Will Selby, who featured heavily in Where Is Wendy Williams?, reportedly no longer works for Williams in an official capacity. The news about Selby especially comes as a shock as recently as last month he was confirmed to still be working for her.
The reason behind both departures has not been made public at this time. However, many fans are reportedly glad to see both exits, believing that both individuals were taking advantage of Williams. Despite the departures, Williams reportedly remains in a cognitive treatment facility in Florida. She recently went public with a diagnosis of dementia and aphasia.
Meanwhile, Lifetime’s Where Is Wendy Williams? aired despite a legal challenge to block the program. Just days before its late February premiere, Williams’ filed a lawsuit to block Lifetime from airing the show. Sabrina Morrissey petitioned a judge for a restraining order. However, the move was unsuccessful. Despite this, fans agreed after watching the show that it should not have been aired.
However, fans were confused as to why a white attorney is Williams’ guardian, as opposed to a member of Williams’ family. “Wendy has a son, a brother, a father and a sister that is an attorney. How is this happening, why can’t one of them be her guardian? Who’s advising the son, he’s her next of kin, there has to be some rights he has! Smh, I hate seeing this happen to her. Smh,” one person noted. “Her son needs to fight to be made her guardian. How is this woman I’ll and her guardian is letting her drink entire bottles in her bedroom,” added another.
Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, says he hasn’t received payments from his divorce settlement since the talk show host was placed under court-order guardianship. In turn, he is requesting two years of back pay, according to court documents obtained by Radar Online.
“I have not received my severance payments since January of 2022, which Plaintiff is required to make pursuant to the Matrimonial Settlement Agreement,” he said. “This is an emergent matter because I rely on the severance pay for my living expenses and having been without this income for twenty-three months has affected me greatly.” He added: “Therefore, I respectfully request that the Court require [Wendy] to immediately pay all severance payments which may be due and owing at the time of this Court’s Order.”
Kevin Hunter & Wendy Williams Pose Together In N.Y.C.
NEW YORK – AUGUST 25: Kevin Hunter and Wendy Williams rings the opening bell at the NASDAQ. MarketSite on August 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)
Hunter also says he’s been trying to resolve the matter for years at this point. “Since October 2021 I have tried to resolve this issue in multiple ways including previous motion and mediation, with no cooperation from the Plaintiff,” he said. “As a result, I had no choice but to file this motion in this matter. I would not have had to file this motion if the Plaintiff did not stop my severance payments and if the Plaintiff would have signed the Qualified Domestic Relations Order for the SAG-AFTRA Retirement Plan.”
Williams and Hunter were married from 1999 through 2020. They share one child together. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kevin Hunter and Wendy Williams on HotNewHipHop.
In the latest development of the ongoing saga surrounding former daytime talk show host Wendy Williams, her ex-husband Kevin Hunter has taken legal action to demand two years of back alimony payments. This move comes after Wendy’s guardian claimed she had no remaining funds, sparking a financial battle between the former couple.
According to recent reports from The Sun, Kevin Hunter is insisting that Wendy resume the payments that he claims were agreed upon in their Marital Settlement Agreement. These payments abruptly ceased just before Wendy was placed under guardianship in 2022, leaving Kevin without his expected income for nearly two years.
In exclusive court filings obtained by The U.S. Sun, Kevin Hunter expressed the impact of the sudden halt in payments on his financial stability. He stated, “I rely on the severance pay for my living expenses and having been without this income for twenty-three months has affected me greatly.”
Kevin’s legal filings reveal his intention to bring the matter before the court once again after failed attempts at out-of-court mediation. He has petitioned the court to compel Wendy, through her guardianship, to immediately fulfill any outstanding severance payments owed to him.
Kevin Hunter is seeking resolution regarding Wendy’s AFTRA Retirement Plan. He requested the court’s intervention to ensure Wendy signs the Qualified Domestic Relations Order for the AFTRA Retirement Plan or appoint him an Attorney in Fact to execute the document if Wendy fails to comply within seven days of the court’s order.
“I would not have to file this motion if the plaintiff did not stop my severance payments and if the plaintiff would have signed the qualified domestic relations order for the AFTRA retirement plan,” Kevin emphasized in his filing, indicating his frustration with the lack of cooperation from Wendy’s side.
The legal dispute between Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter underscores the complexities of financial matters in high-profile divorces. As the legal battle unfolds, it sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals navigating post-divorce financial arrangements, especially when one party’s financial situation becomes uncertain.
Celebrity talk show host Wendy Williams recently became a trending topic after the release of her Lifetime documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams? The emotional documentary was designed to be a sequel to two other projects: Wendy Williams: What A Mess, about her public image and divorce, and Wendy Williams: The Movie film about her career journey. However, this new project seems to be much different. In fact, it has garnered much more public interest about what exactly is going on with the media veteran, as many shocking details have been revealed. Moreover, fans believe the documentary should never have aired in the first place.
Averaging 1.04 million same-day viewers, the 4.5-hour documentary was split across two consecutive nights, airing on February 24th and 25th. Where is Wendy Williams? has been described as shocking, unsettling, and even exploitative. Fellow talk show host Charlamagne Tha God of The Breakfast Club has publicly commented that the show was “hard to watch.” Wendy Williams is evidently not doing so well, but the revelations in the documentary have been quite alarming.
“I Can Only Feel… 2 Percent Of My Feet”
In the documentary, Wendy Williams meets with Nadeem Waheed of Daniel’s Leathers to pick out a coat. She shows Waheed her bound feet, saying, “Do you know lymphedema? I should be in a wheelchair but I refuse. I’ve had that for seven years.” During a photoshoot, there’s also a moment where Williams requires assistance to stand up. She asks for a chair, stating, “I can’t continue to do this. I need to sit down again.”
Lymphedema is a chronic condition which occurs when lymph fluid builds up in various parts of the body due to a problem with the lymphatic system, which normally drains the fluid. Wendy Williams has secondary or acquired lymphedema. This is a type of lymphedema that develops over the course of a person’s life, often due to cancer or surgery. For some people, it is easy to overlook, as the swelling may go away at night. However, over time, it usually becomes more severe. This seems to be the case with Wendy. Although incurable, the pain from lymphedema can be alleviated with physical training. Nonetheless, despite her trainer’s suggested exercises in the documentary, she says she is too afraid to fall, choosing to walk with her bodyguard’s help instead.
“I Will Liquor When I Liquor”
Wendy Williams’s alcoholism is a ghost that hangs around every waking moment in the documentary. This is especially concerning because it seems to be responsible for a lot of changes that now affect the star’s current condition. Will Selby, Williams’s manager, spoke about his efforts to get her to stay sober. “Everyday I come here, I look for alcohol. Just in case,” he said.
However, this seems to be an occasionally fruitless effort. In one scene, he happens upon an empty bottle of vodka during one of his visits. The reason why is, I really feel she knows how to control herself.” Outside of work, Williams also confirmed that her drinking was negatively affecting her relationship with her son, Kevin, and sister, Wanda. Not long after this, however, she vehemently defends her actions. “I will smoke when I smoke, and I will liquor when I liquor,” she says. Williams also seems to have a problem with smoking; specifically with a vaping problem. She was shown delaying a trip for a specific brand of vape that she loved.
“What’s Oscars?”
Perhaps the most unsettling part of the documentary is watching Wendy Williams’ cognitive decline on camera. Her memory deterioration has evidently reached such a critical stage. When asked if she was interested in attending the Oscars, she had no idea what the ceremony was. In another scene, she expressed a belief that NBC Universal would simply offer her another talk show after The Wendy WilliamsShow was canceled in 2022.
“I think she’s losing memory. Have you guys noticed that,” asked Williams’s driver. He described it as her “going blank,” saying she did not recognize him sometimes. Williams’s condition was described by her son as alcohol-induced dementia. However, less than 72 hours before the documentary aired, a press release purportedly from Williams and her care team disclosed her diagnosis in 2023 as primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
The Commission
In May 2020, DJ Boof, who worked with Wendy Williams on her show, found her unresponsive at home. She was rushed to the hospital and needed several blood transfusions. Another friend confirmed that Williams had been drinking more since her divorce from Kevin Hunter Sr. The situation reached a breaking point in April 2023 when Selby found Williams hiding in the bathroom with a bottle in her bed. The next day, Selby says he worked with the legal guardian to get her admitted to a facility where she remains. Her family confirmed this to be the only good thing to come out of Williams’ guardianship. Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, told interviewers that they were notified that Williams is also being treated for her cognitive issues at the facility. However, Williams’ family claims they were not told about the diagnosis revealed during filming.
“I Have No Money”
The documentary concluded during Wendy Williams’s ongoing treatment for cognitive challenges. The final portion also focused primarily on interviews with Williams’s relatives, addressing the topic of guardianship. Her niece Alex Finnie broke down when she discovered no food in Wendy’s fridge in New York. In 2022, instead of a family member, the courts designated a third party as Williams’s guardian. This decision came after a petition filed by Wells Fargo.
Her son, who had power of attorney, could not be a candidate. He had access to her American Express cards and probably triggered Wells Fargo’s petition by charging them over $100,000 for Uber Eats. He denied that the expenses were ever his to begin with but his mother’s. Her sister Wanda was also considered. She claimed she took classes to become Wendy’s guardian before “the wall came down.” Suddenly, she was disqualified from being Williams’ guardian.
The verdict is in. Lifetime’s Where is Wendy Williams? set a ratings record for the network. As reported by Deadline, here are the numbers … The controversial 2-part documentary averaged “1.2 million total viewers over the two nights in Nielsen Live+3 and 6.2 million total viewers across linear and digital platforms to date.” So what does that mean? People were glued to the screen watching the latest saga in what is shaping to be a somber moment in the legacy of Wendy Williams.
Back to the analytics … Lifetime said, “‘Where is Wendy Williams?’ is Lifetime’s best new non-fiction performance in two years since the Janet Jackson documentary, with total viewers W25-64 and A25-64.” The documentary outdid The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, dropping to No. 2 in L+SD.
Regarding social media, on the night Where is Wendy Williams? The documentary premiered on February 24 and was the top program on television among total social media interactions (Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube), according to Lifetime.
ICYMI, Where is Wendy Williams? aired only days after the former queen of daytime television was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, the same disease that Bruce Willis suffers from. Williams’s guardian even filed a lawsuit against Lifetime parent A+E Networks, seeking “a temporary restraining order to block the network from airing the project.” The ruling by a New York appeals court justice ultimately denied the TRO.
If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the official description:
Over the course of nearly two years, cameras chronicled the former television host and radio star Wendy Williams on the next phase of her life, following the end of her iconic talk show. The documentary provides a raw, honest and unfiltered reality of Wendy’s life after she was placed under financial guardianship, shedding light on the vulnerabilities that have turned Wendy into the Hot Topic herself. Suffering mental and physical issues, Wendy’s delicate state of mind, erratic behavior and declining health were all captured by the cameras.
Last week, Where Is Wendy Williams? took the internet by storm, with countless social media users weighing in on the controversial Lifetime doc. Even before it was released, speculation that Williams was being exploited began, which was only compounded once it was revealed that she’d been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. The personality has since received an outpouring of support from fans and peers and later thanked them in a statement.
While Wendy appears to be doing better since filming, her brother Tommy says that he and the rest of their family don’t approve of how her treatment has been approached. “I know that she is stuck and we are trying to unstick her. Her family is here and she doesn’t need a facility. We are here to take care of her,” he told US Weekly in an exclusive interview earlier this week. “All I want for her is freedom. We have a father who would love to see her.”
Tommy Williams Says Wendy “Doesn’t Need A Facility”
Wendy Williams is seen leaving her TV Show on July 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Say Cheese!/GC Images)
“We’re dealing with unknowns,” he continued. “We just want to be able to check in with her. I would fly up there [to New York], but where do I go? No one knows anything.” Tommy also revealed that communicating with his sister has been difficult, claiming it “seems like forever” since he’s seen her.
“It’s because of the people who she is around. You can’t leave. You’re there as part of a program,” he adds. “It’s the one thing that is holding her and keeping her from communicating, traveling and doing all the things she likes to do.” What do you think of Wendy Williams’ brother Tommy claiming that she’s “stuck” in a treatment facility after being diagnosed with dementia and aphasia? Do you think she’d be better off in her family’s care? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
