New York, NY – Wendy Williams, the former nationally syndicated talk show host, found herself in a legal battle with her court-appointed guardian over the release of a Lifetime docuseries titled “Where is Wendy Williams?” The guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, attempted to block the series’ release, citing concerns about the negative depiction of Williams as a “drunkard” and a “laughingstock”. The show aired after an appellate judge overturned the temporary restraining order obtained by Morrissey, deeming it a violation of free speech under the First Amendment.
Williams stepped away from her talk show in 2020 due to health issues, including a diagnosis of frontotemporal lobe dementia and progressive aphasia. Her financial accounts were frozen by Wells Fargo amid concerns of dementia and financial exploitation, leading to the appointment of Morrissey as her guardian. Despite having signed a contract to participate in the documentary, Morrissey claimed that Williams lacked the capacity to consent to the project.
Morrissey alleged that the documentary portrayed Williams in a negative light, exploiting her medical condition and mischaracterizing her struggles as the result of alcohol. Williams’ family members, including her son and sister, criticized the guardianship in the series and expressed their belief that her family should have control over her care. The show drew in strong ratings, with 1.2 million viewers tuning in over the initial broadcast and subsequent three days.
Critics of the docuseries, including Variety’s chief TV critic Aramide Tinubu, viewed it as an exploitative display of Williams’ cognitive decline and emotional well-being. Despite the legal dispute surrounding its release, the series generated significant viewership and sparked conversations about the depiction of individuals facing health challenges in the media. As Williams continues to navigate her health journey, the controversy surrounding the documentary serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in balancing personal struggles with public scrutiny.