Wendy Williams, 60, is opening up in her first live interview since the release of a Lifetime documentary that gave a glimpse into her life after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Wendy called in for an interview on The Breakfast Club this month, joining guest host Loren LoRosa, along with DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God—who co-hosted a radio show with her back in the early 2000s.
During the interview, Charlamagne revealed that Wendy had reached out because she felt “trapped in a conservatorship” and couldn’t leave her current living situation. Wendy shared her frustration, saying, “I am not cognitively impaired. But I feel like I’m in prison.” She described being surrounded by elderly people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s and claimed, “There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.” Wendy went on to call the treatment she’s receiving “emotional abuse.”
Wendy’s niece, Alex, joined the call to back up her aunt’s claims. According to Alex, the facility Wendy is staying at is highly secure, and she faces heavy restrictions. Since her previous phone is in the hands of her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, Wendy is only allowed to make outgoing calls. She also can’t leave the facility or have visitors. “They won’t let you take a walk, visit family, or even go on a trip,” Alex said. She shared that when she visited Wendy in October, the experience was invasive and stressful, with the staff asking countless questions about her identity and purpose.
Wendy tearfully expressed that she wants to visit her 94-year-old father for his birthday in February, but she fears her guardian won’t let her. “At 94, the day after that is not promised,” she said. Alex added that she’s worried Morrissey might retaliate for them speaking out. “She’s prepared for her phone to be taken away again,” Alex shared. “What you’re hearing now is just a fraction of what we’ve been dealing with for the past several months and years.”
The family also revealed that they were not allowed to visit Wendy during the airing of her Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? Alex expressed concern that Wendy might be moved to another facility without warning, which would make it even harder for loved ones to stay in touch. Wendy, who was seen in public for the first time in August after months of legal and medical struggles, continues to fight for her independence.
In February 2023, it was confirmed that Wendy had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Despite claims that Wendy has input into her care, Morrissey’s court filings stated that Wendy is “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” and that she wasn’t capable of consenting to participate in the Lifetime documentary.
