Wendy Williams in 2019
Lars Niki/Getty Images for New York women in film and television
Wendy Williams is speaking out for the first time following her recent diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
A representative for the former talk show host shared a statement from Williams with the Hollywood Reporter on Friday: “I would like to say that I am very grateful for the love and kind words I have received following my diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal disorder Dementia (FTD).” Let me say, wow! Their reaction was overwhelming. The messages shared with me touched me and reminded me of the power of unity and the need for compassion.”
The statement continued: “I hope that others with FTD can benefit from my story. I would also like to thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD. I still need personal space and peace to thrive. Please know that your positivity and encouragement are greatly appreciated.”
The statement from Jennifer Hanley of Ridge Hill Group follows Williams' care team's announcement Thursday that she was officially diagnosed after undergoing medical tests last year.
Her team said in a statement that aphasia, a condition that affects a person's language, and frontotemporal dementia, a disorder that affects behavioral and cognitive function, “already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life.”
The Lifetime documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?”, airing this weekend, aims to chronicle the former television host's physical and mental decline. The two-day docuseries began filming Williams after her hit daytime talk show was canceled in June 2022 and stopped filming Williams when she checked into an undisclosed facility in April 2023 and went into the custody of a court order judge appointed financial guardian who had been there, unknown to the public and to Williams' family, who are featured in the documentary. Williams remains a credited executive producer on the project as she has a three-picture deal with Lifetime.
Two days before the documentary's release, Williams' court-appointed conservator was publicly identified as Sabrina Morrissey when she filed a cease-and-desist lawsuit against Lifetime parent company A+E Networks on Thursday.
On Friday, the complaint was withdrawn and a representative for Lifetime confirmed to THR: Where is Wendy Williams? “will air this weekend as planned.”
Morrissey was appointed as Williams' conservator when the TV personality's then-financial advisor claimed in a New York court that she was “mentally unsound” following the cancellation of The Wendy Williams Show in late 2022, prompting bank Wells Fargo to petition her to have Williams placed under temporary financial guardianship. Williams remains in a facility under Morrissey's care today and is still unavailable to anyone but Morissey.
Jackie Strause contributed to this report.