The Wendy Williams Show wrapping in 2022 marked the end of an era for the New Jersey-born host, but no one quite knew what was next for her at the time. Some suggested we would see a return to radio/podcasting after her hiatus to focus on her health, but now, it’s clear that won’t be happening. Amid her team’s confirmation that Williams is battling aphasia and dementia on Thursday (February 22), a new snippet from her Lifetime documentary reveals the shape the 59-year-old is in as she shares an emotional moment with Blac Chyna.
“I like, recently been changing my life,” the mother of two tells Williams, who’s seen without her wig, in the clip below. “You’ve always been honest with me, and like put me in my place,” Chyna thanked the controversial host for her sometimes harsh demeanour. “In the most motherly, kind way. That’s why I love you so much,” the fitness enthusiast continued, giving Williams her flowers while both women shed tears. “Even when I was going through my darkest times, you never used that against me. That’s how you know the love is genuine, and it’s always going to be there.”
Chyna – now going by Angela White – promised the mother of one she’ll continue to be an active supporter in her life as she learns how to live with her debilitating diagnosis. “I’m gonna be back and forth from New York, so I’m gonna be coming to see you more,” she added. In response to this, Williams (looking somewhat confused) said, “My real name is Wendy Hunter… He’s got no money.“
Wendy Williams built her empire through shamelessly gossiping about other celebrities. Still, many whom she dissed are keeping the entertainer in their thoughts and prayers as she navigates this tricky phase of life. Read what her team had to say about her recent aphasia and dementia diagnosis’ at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
There’s been a lot of mystery surrounding Wendy Williams amid her fall from grace in recent years. The 59-year-old has largely been out of the spotlight amid long-standing rumours of a health crisis. Today (February 22), her team is speaking out on Williams’ behalf, giving pop culture fanatics long-awaited answers regarding her erratic behaviour and noticeably different appearance. As USA Today reports, a statement confirms that the New Jersey native is battling several mental conditions as of 2023. “Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine,” reps wrote.
“Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires,” they further added. “In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive phasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).” According to their message, the former is “a condition affecting language and communication abilities,” while the latter is “a progressive disorder impacting behaviour and cognitive functions.” Both have already “presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life,” likely explaining her departure from the public eye.
Ahead of Thursday’s news, members of Williams’ family began speaking out on her condition and where their relationships with her stand now. “We’ve all seen the images over the last few months and, really, few years of what has seemed like a spiral for my aunt.” niece Alex Finnie told People. The outlet says the entertainer stays at an undisclosed care facility now, where Williams is able to contact her loved ones, but they’re unable to reach out first.
News of Wendy Williams’ deteriorating condition is sad, but we’ll always have fond memories of the controversial media personality to look back on. She’s been a part of numerous industry beefs throughout her career, including several with our favourite rappers. Look back on some of those at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Wendy Williams is currently in a facility to assist with cognitive issues. In an exclusive with PEOPLE, Williams’ family made the reveal.
“I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me,” said Wendy’s sister, Wanda Finnie. “She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment.”
Wanda also revealed due to a break in communication with Williams’ guardian; the communication is limited. “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.”
Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, praised the famed talk show host for “taking control of her narrative” with the Lifetime film releasing that highlights her struggles.
“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,” Finnie said.
You can read more about Williams’ condition and interaction with her family here.
The two-part documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? is scheduled to air later this month, but not everybody is looking forward to it. According to a new report by The U.S. Sun, Williams’ ex Kevin Hunter Sr. expects it to be exploitative of Williams, who executive produced the tell-all. Reportedly, he also wishes that their son, Kevin Hunter Jr., was never involved.
“Kevin was shocked to see his ex-wife portrayed in such a negative light in the Lifetime trailer. He was also totally blindsided that their son, Kevin Jr, ended up signing onto the project after he initially said he wanted nothing to do with it,” a source told the outlet earlier this week. “Little Kev was repeatedly advised that it was a bad look to be involved in this project and that it was not in his best interest to have his name attached to it.”
Kevin Sr. reportedly believes that the documentary will tarnish the legacy that Williams has spent so many years building. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one. Charlamagne Tha God weighed in on the upcoming project on The Breakfast Club earlier this month, claiming that immediately after seeing a trailer for it, he prayed for Williams. In the trailer, she’s seen admitting that she has “no money,” warning viewers that the same could happen to them.
“I don’t understand why they have the cameras in that woman’s face,” Charlamagne said of the documentary. “Why y’all want to document someone’s downfall?” he also wondered. Despite criticism, Where Is Wendy Williams? will premiere on Lifetime in two parts on February 24 and 25. What do you think of Kevin Hunter Sr. allegedly feeling “blindsided” by the upcoming documentary on his ex-wife, Wendy Williams? Do you agree that their son shouldn’t have been involved? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Wendy Williams’ former husband, Kevin Hunter Sr., has reportedly expressed feelings of being blindsided and furious upon learning about his son’s involvement in the upcoming Lifetime docuseries, “Where is Wendy Williams?” Sources close to the situation have revealed Hunter’s disappointment and concern over the portrayal of his ex-wife in the documentary.
According to reports from The Sun, an insider within Wendy Williams’ inner circle shared exclusive insights into Hunter Sr.’s reaction to the documentary. The insider revealed that Kevin Hunter Sr., aged 51, was taken aback and deeply disappointed by the negative portrayal of Wendy Williams in the trailer for the docuseries. Hunter Sr. reportedly felt blindsided by the project, particularly after his son, Kevin Hunter Jr., had initially expressed a desire to have no involvement in it.
The insider further disclosed that Kevin Hunter Sr. had been staunchly against the documentary from the outset, fearing that it would tarnish Wendy Williams’ legacy even further. Wendy Williams, a former TV host, departed from her long-running talk show amidst ongoing health and legal battles in July 2021, marking a significant chapter in her career.
Kevin Hunter Sr., also known as Big Kev, reportedly found the scenes in the documentary trailer depicting Wendy Williams in distressing situations, such as yelling over a bottle of vodka and appearing disoriented in New York City, to be “very sad.” He expressed anger and frustration over what he perceived as the continued exploitation of his ex-wife for entertainment purposes.
Furthermore, Kevin Hunter Sr. expressed regret and sorrow over his son, Kevin Jr.’s, decision to be involved in the project. Despite being advised against it, Kevin Jr. ultimately chose to participate in the documentary, a decision that his father reportedly viewed as detrimental to his best interests.
As the release of the docuseries draws near, the fallout from Wendy Williams’ tumultuous career and personal life continues to unfold, leaving a trail of mixed emotions and unanswered questions about her future in media.
Kevin Hunter is known for his multifaceted roles in entertainment production and business. He has established a net worth of $10 million by 2024, as noted by Eric Singer. His career spans various aspects of the entertainment industry and entrepreneurial ventures. It showcases a strategic approach to brand development and talent management. Further, Hunter’s journey from behind-the-scenes work to becoming a key player in business ventures reflects his adaptability, business acumen, and a keen sense for identifying and capitalizing on market trends.
Establishing A Foundation In Entertainment
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 11: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE)(L-R) Kevin Hunter, wife Wendy Williams and son. Kevin Hunter Jr pose at a celebration for. The Hunter Foundation Charity that helps fund programs for families and youth communities in need of help and guidance at. Planet Hollywood Times Square on July 11, 2017 also in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)
His work marked Hunter’s initial rise in the entertainment sector as a producer and manager, where he honed his skills in developing content and nurturing talent. His involvement in television production and music management gave him a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics, enabling him to make impactful decisions to set the stage for his future success. Hunter contributed to notable productions through strategic partnerships and projects, gaining recognition for his ability to blend creative vision with effective business strategies.
Expanding Into Business Ventures
(L-R) Kevin Hunter, NFL player Lamar Odom, TV personality Khloe Kardashian Odom, and. TV and radio personality Wendy Williams attend the. Casio “Shock the World” event at The Manhattan Center on August 2, 2010 also in New York City.
Recognizing the importance of diversification, Hunter ventured beyond entertainment into various business opportunities, including launching product lines and investing in media-related startups. His entrepreneurial spirit drove him to explore new markets, leveraging his industry knowledge and contacts to build a broad portfolio of investments. These ventures contributed to his net worth and underscored his reputation as a savvy businessman capable of navigating the complexities of multiple industries.
Navigating Challenges & Building A Legacy
Mary J. Blige, Kevin Hunter and Wendy Williams during Wendy Williams presents. Dons and Diva’s Black Party Hosted by Mary J. Blige – Inside at Crobar also in. New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Moreover, Hunter has faced challenges throughout his career that tested his resilience and adaptability. His ability to navigate personal and professional hurdles while focusing on his business objectives highlights his determination and strategic thinking. As he continues to build his legacy, Hunter’s efforts in philanthropy and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs reflect his commitment to giving back and sharing the lessons learned from his journey.
Kevin Hunter’s trajectory from entertainment production to becoming a recognized figure in business illustrates the potential for growth and impact when talent is paired with entrepreneurial vision. Overall, Hunter’s story is one of continuous evolution. It is also marked by a commitment to innovation and a legacy of influencing the industries in which he has made his mark.
The new Lifetime documentary Where is Wendy Williams? just released its first trailer.
Lifetime says Williams is “opening the doors to her private life like never before” and is giving “unparalleled access” to the network “to film with her and her family for nearly two years.” As Lifetime states, “What was captured was not what anyone expected.” Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and programming head of A&E, Lifetime and LMN, says fans will get “all of the tea on Williams and her life.”
“Wendy has been a part of the Lifetime family for over a decade and during that time, we partnered with Wendy for her revealing biopic and doc,” she added. “But her story is not finished. There is so much more to it. Nobody truly knew the depths of Wendy’s reality so we hope that what our cameras captured can help shine a light on what she is facing now.”
From Creature Films, executive producer Mark Ford says, “This was a complex project–and it became a labor of love for everyone involved. We are grateful to Wendy and her family for their utmost commitment to honesty, even when painful–in this documentary.”
In the documentary, Williams is quoted saying, “I’m gonna tell you something, if it happens to me, it could happen to you.”
Here’s more tea about the documentary:
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 has 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. Where is Wendy Williams? is the story of Wendy’s journey to resurrect her career, and what filmmakers discovered along the way. But many questions remain – who truly has Wendy’s best interest at heart? Is she healthy now? And Where is Wendy Williams?
As reported by Shadow and Act, “Lifetime will air messaging supporting resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), NAMI for Mental Health Resources, and information about lymphedema and Graves’s Disease.”
On a tender note, Williams is producing the documentary with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., Tara Long, Mark Ford, Pat Lambert, and Erica Hanson serves as showrunner. Lifetime’s Brie Miranda Bryant also serves as executive producer.
Wendy Williams has built her reputation as a long-time talk show host and entertainment news provocateur, making her world renown for her career in these roles. However, in the dynamic world of entertainment journalism, Wendy Williams has kept her finger on the pulse of many of pop culture’s greatest genres, including hip hop. The fearless entertainment journalist has long been a force to be reckoned with, known for her unabashed opinions and brash approach to discussing celebrity gossip on air. Among the many targets of her candid commentary, several rappers have found themselves in the crosshairs of Wendy Williams’ unfiltered ire.
The prolific talk show host’s rap beefs date back to the 1990s, with a long history of heated conflicts with notable music figures. From fiery on-air exchanges to social media spats, each episode serves as a riveting chapter in the ongoing saga of Wendy Williams’ intriguing relationship with the hip-hop community. Here are 7 instances of Williams’ greatest rap feuds.
Wendy Williams has sparked beef with a constant stream of media figures throughout her decades-long career. One recurring theme the host just can’t seem to let go of is her constant and seemingly random accusations that rappers are secretly homosexual. One such recipient of these claims is Sean Combs, AKA Diddy.
Back in 1998, while she was hosting a HOT 97 radio show, Williams launched a tirade about how the Bad Boy co-founder was secretly gay, and actively paying millions of dollars in hush money to media outlets to keep this secret under wraps. Obviously, what celebrities do with other consenting adults is of no business to anyone but themselves or their partners, but it bears reminding that there has never been any evidence to back up these bizarre claims, to begin with.
At the time, as one of the world’s biggest names in rap, Diddy wielded significant influence over the entertainment news media. He utilized his power to temporarily remove Wendy Williams from the air. While the move may have benefitted Diddy in the short term, it seemed to confirm to some conspiracy-minded individuals that Williams had struck a nerve, leading to these rumors persisting to this day.
6. Tupac Shakur
Wendy Williams wasn’t content to keep her ire on one side of the East Coast-West Coast divide, either, as she had already been embroiled in a feud with Tupac in 1995. Like the beef with Diddy, Williams’s back-and-forth with Shakur began over unsubstantiated claims of the rappers’ sexual activity. Williams took to the air to suggest that Tupac had been sexually assaulted by fellow prisoners while serving a sentence in Clinton Correctional Facility. This unsubstantiated rumor sparked a diplomatic response from Tupac’s media team, who released a statement referencing the host’s history of making unfounded controversial remarks.
Tupac Shakur personally responded with considerably less diplomacy, mentioning Wendy Williams on the track “Why U Turn On Me?” The lyrics, which reference Williams and her role in spreading the rumor, contain profanity and borderline threats. This underscores once again Tupac’s unparalleled prowess in the realm of verbal warfare.
5. Will Smith
In Fact When Eminem dissed on Real Slim Shady Will Smith not only did he respond but went at Larry Elder and Wendy Williams. pic.twitter.com/0tKRKcKzIK
Long before Will Smith was slapping his wife’s name out of Chris Rock’s mouth, the rapper-turned-actor found himself feuding with Wendy Williams on wax. Apparently, Williams had offered one too many deep dives into Will Smith’s personal life, including releasing photos and commentary about Smith’s daughter without his consent. This prompted the Fresh Prince to clap back on the song “Mr. Nice Guy.”
In the song, Smith raps “Wendy Williams, you don’t know me. I’m not your punchin’ bag, you gon’ blow me off, girl. Better leave me alone, before I buy your radio station and send you home.” While the 2005 track was decidedly less vulgar than the Tupac Shakur track which preceded it a decade earlier, it still got the message across that Will Smith wouldn’t take criticism of his family lying down.
Like many of the rappers on this list, Lil Kim’s beef with Wendy Williams was sparked when Williams took to the entertainment news desk to spread hot Hollywood gossip. In this instance, Williams prodded Lil Kim for getting a number of cosmetic surgeries done on her face and neck, spending whole segments of her show bullying the “Crush On You” rapper for her looks. Kim responded with a flurry of angry tweets, calling Wendy a “hating b***h” and accusing her of trying and failing to secure a romantic relationship with the late Notorious B.I.G. back in the ’90s.
Despite Wendy Williams’s penchant for publicizing people’s problems, some media figures were still gullible enough to confide in the entertainment news host as a friend. One such example is Master P, who privately discussed his estranged relationship with his family with Williams in 2014. Later that year, Williams publicized details of P’s private life, including personal details about his wife and children, even claiming that “the family could do better” than having Master P as a patriarch.
Master P responded with a sorrowful lament of his misguided relationship with Williams, stating, “First of all, I thought Wendy Williams was my friend. I understand that her job is to entertain gossip but how could she keep picking up TMZ gossip as if it was real news when she should have contacted me directly if she was really concerned about my family, or me like she claims. If anyone understands being in the media and having to deal with celebrity personal family gossip and betrayal, she should know because of her own situation. If she wants to know the truth, as my friend, she should call me directly to get the facts and the truth rather than joining the media circus and talking trash.”
In 2006 Wendy Williams sparked one of her most pathetic and invasive feuds ever, by revealing to the public on her WBLS radio show that Method Man’s wife, Tamika Smith had been diagnosed with cancer. While it’s unclear exactly where she heard this information, Method Man made it clear that he and his wife wanted that information to remain private as they navigated the difficult process of seeking treatment. In subsequent interviews, Method Man has spoken about how disrespected he and Tamika felt by Williams’s on-air discussion of the diagnosis, with the Wu-Tang rapper stating, “Her family members didn’t even know she was sick. You can attack me anyway you want to. I’m in the entertainment business, but don’t attack my family.”
Unfortunately, instead of seeing the error of her ways, Williams has continued this feud over the years, including claiming in 2021 that she had engaged in a one-night stand with Meth back in the day. Tamika finally broke her silence on the subject by lashing out at Williams in a public statement. This beef proves that, despite her assertion that she is a fixture within hip hop culture, Wendy Williams must have missed the memo that the Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ to f*** with.
If anyone could rival Wendy Williams for the position of most petty provocateur in pop culture and entertainment, it’s 50 Cent. The pair have clashed numerous times over the years, giving rise to a series of hilarious social media posts and talk show segments as a result of their ongoing beef. Similar to many other rappers, Wendy Williams accused 50 Cent of being secretly gay and criticized him on air for his comments expressing joy at the prospect of no longer paying child support.
Likewise, 50 Cent took to social media to share doctored photos of Williams in the poster for Beauty and the Beast, making fun of her looks and body type, and calling her a crackhead through numerous online roasts. Though the beef has been cold for a few years now, both Wendy Williams and 50 Cent have a long history of bringing up old feuds decades later for a cheap laugh, meaning this beef could reignite at a moment’s notice.
Charlamagne Tha God says he’s wishing the best for Wendy Williams’ health, but that the two haven’t had a relationship for years. He spoke about his former radio partner with The U.S. Sun at the 5th Annual Pow(H)er Awards in New York City, earlier this month. The last time Williams was spotted in public was in N.Y.C. in February. At the time, she appeared frail amid ongoing health concerns.
Charlamagne told the outlet: “I just pray that she’s in good health, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. I care about that more than I care about anything media-related. Even if we don’t have a relationship, you want to see people always going out with the plane landing with the wheels coming out. You don’t want to see people crash. At least I don’t.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Charlamagne Tha God speaks during the Support Your Girlfriend’s POW(H)ER Experience Awards 2023 on November 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
As for whether he’d ever want to interview her, he admitted he “never thought about it.” The Breakfast Club host added that they haven’t spoken for “years.” He said: “I’m not even thinking about stuff like that. You want to see a person like that, you know, you heard that she was having some type of health issues, and you want to see her get back on her feet. That’s what I care about.” Charlamagne worked on The Wendy Williams Experience from 2006 through 2008. He has said Wendy’s ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, fired him after a business deal gone wrong.
At the Pow(H)er Awards, Charlamagne was honored with the first-ever Power(H)im Award. The ceremony came as The Breakfast Club is searching for a new co-host to replace DJ Envy, who got roped up in Cesar Pina’s alleged real estate fraud scam. Be on the lookout for further updates on Charlamagne Tha God as well as Wendy Williams on HotNewHipHop.
Back in May, fans were concerned when former daytime talk show host Wendy Williams was a no-show at the Women’s Expo in Atlanta. The beloved gossip queen was scheduled to host the event but shocked fans when she canceled at the last minute. Now reports are claiming Wendy’s team never reimbursed promoters the money for the canceled appearance.
The Sun reports:
WENDY Williams’ management never returned the full $25,000 payment for the Women’s Expo appearance after her team canceled the gig, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.
The U.S. Sun exclusively obtained copies of wire transfers, as well as email correspondences between Wendy’s team including her manager Will Selby, publicist Shawn Zanotti, and entertainment attorney Deborah Hrbek in the aftermath of the event.
Wendy, 59, canceled her appearance as the headline speaker just days before she was set to appear at the May 20 event due to health concerns.
Wire transfers revealed that the full initial payment for the event was sent to Wendy’s publicist’s company, Exact Publicity, but after the star backed out at the last minute, the Expo was left to scramble for a replacement speaker, whom they had to also pay.
In three separate wire transfers back to the Expo, Wendy’s publicist’s company sent back $12,500 on May 17 immediately after her client officially backed out of the gig, and then another $1,250 on June 9.
Wendy’s manager Will only sent back $1,250 on June 12.
After those transfers, no other money was sent back to the company and to this day, the Expo remains out at least $15,000, according to sources familiar with the transactions.
Additionally, in emails reviewed by The U.S. Sun, the Expo attempted to have the rest of the money sent back from Wendy’s team, however, the star’s new entertainment lawyer Deborah suggested that it was Shawn’s PR company that had signed onto the event and not Wendy herself.
Despite Wendy filming promotional videos for the event, and her manager Will sending the Expo back money from the company he created- The Wendy Experience Inc – her attorney suggested that her publicist Shawn wasn’t authorized to book the star for this engagement.
In one email reviewed by The U.S. Sun sent on June 23, Wendy’s attorney wrote: “I am doing my best to help here despite the fact that Shawn had no authority to enter this agreement on behalf of Wendy or any entity owned by her.”
(@OfficiallyQuise) 
