Wendy Williams' Court-Appointed Guardian Files Lawsuits After 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' Docuseries Came Out
In light of Williams' declining health, Morrissey is reportedly suing A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment Services, among others, for exploitation following the release of the Where is Wendy Williams? docuseries that was released in February this year.
The docuseries began filming in 2022, when Williams was missing from her talk show for health reasons. Filming stopped in April 2023 when her son informed the crew she had been diagnosed with dementia; however, it still aired the following year. Although Williams's guardian tried to block the series from airing in February, a judge ruled against the blocking, and it was allowed to be aired.
According to People, Morrissey's lawsuit reportedly claims that the filmmakers took advantage of Williams' "vulnerable" state "in the cruelest, most obscene way possible for their own financial gain." It also claims that the filmmakers didn't compensate Williams fairly. As well as seeking more monetary compensation, Morrissey is reportedly also asking for the removal of sensitive information to protect Williams' privacy and dignity.
Wendy Williams' 24-Year-Old Son Opened Up About Her Dementia Diagnosis And Alcoholism In February
Williams' dementia diagnosis was first discussed in February earlier this year, a few days before Lifetime's Where Is Wendy Williams? docuseries came out. Williams' son Kevin Hunter Jr explained that healthcare experts suspect that the former talk show host's cognitive disorder may be associated with her long-standing fight with alcohol addiction.
During one instalment of the Lifetime documentary, Kevin, 24, disclosed that the medical professionals had alerted the family that the 60-year-old shock jock's heavy drinking had started to affect her cognitive abilities and brain, causing what they suspect is dementia resulting from alcohol consumption.
Wendy's medical team identified the consequences of alcohol on her mental state and cognitive functions as the root cause of her challenges. According to Kevin, doctors "basically said that because she was drinking so much, it was starting to affect her headspace and her brain." He added: "So, I think they said it was alcohol-induced dementia. I was able to really learn more about things going on with my mother internally."
The disclosure was made several days after Wendy's team made a public announcement regarding her diagnosis with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Language processing, behavior, and cognitive functions are all impaired by these two neurological conditions.
On February 22nd, the media personality's team also released a statement detailing the challenges that Wendy was facing at the time — similar to those being experienced by actor Bruce Willis. These are said to have "already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life."
"The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy," the team noted, "but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances."
Despite this, they stressed at the time that Wendy "maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed."
In 2019, while staying at a rehabilitation center in Florida, Wendy was informed of her brain damage. However, it wasn't until four years later in 2023 that she was officially diagnosed with dementia and aphasia.
Wendy's niece, Alex Finnie, reportedly discovered her aunt's diagnosis in 2022, but had already noticed signs of her declining health when she began experiencing memory loss and forgetfulness.
"But after seeing my aunt and really spending time with her in a state where she's in right now, I quickly realized that things were just not normal," Alex revealed in the documentary, adding, "It's heartbreaking."
In addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex mentioned that Wendy's struggles were further compounded by the passing of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage with Kevin Hunter Sr.
In the docuseries, Wendy was depicted frequently indulging in substances despite her notorious history with substance abuse, yet her former representative, Shawn Zanotti, brushed aside any apprehension by stating that the media figure "knows her limits."
Wendy's previous lawyer LaShawn Thomas, however, expressed skepticism towards the validity of the star's diagnoses and instead pointed the finger at the guardianship that was ordered by the court before the debut of the show.
On Instagram, the attorney shared a dated clip featuring Wendy who was seated comfortably in bed and appeared to be in good health. In the video, Wendy can be heard expressing her love for exercising at the gym.
"You can clearly see the difference between Wendy's well-being during her time here in Florida with her son caring for her and her lack thereof in New York under this ‘guardianship,'” LaShawn captioned the post. She went on: "These Wendys are not the same. How did her health deteriorate so quickly, and why isn't her only child allowed to be by her side. She wasn't like that when he cared for [her]."
According to the lawyer from the Miami Entertainment Law Group, she captured footage of Wendy just two weeks before the court instructed her to return to New York and be placed under guardianship in 2022.