Wendy Williams’ new docuseries exploring the launch of her ‘new career’ has been slammed by fans, following the announcement that she has been diagnosed with aphasia and dementia.
Watch the trailer below:
Last week, Williams' care team released an update about her health in the hope of stopping the spread of ‘inaccurate and hurtful rumors’.
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“As Wendy's fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves' Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health,” the statement read.
"Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions."
Her team said Williams, 59, had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
What is the new Wendy Williams documentary about?
Williams has mostly remained out of the spotlight since her talk show was cancelled back in June 2022, but made her return to screens last week in a new Lifetime documentary, Where is Wendy Williams?
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The four-part show, which aired in two instalments on 24 and 25 February, aimed to follow her comeback as she launched a podcast career, but ended up inadvertently capturing a dark period in Williams’ life as she experienced alcohol addiction and health issues.
With Williams, her son Kevin Hunter Jr and manager William Selby, are all credited as executive producers, it seems the documentary proved to be a particularly difficult watch for some viewers, after the project evolved from the narrative of the star’s revival to a concerning tale of neurological decline.
Why has there been backlash?
Just two days before the documentary was set to air, Williams’ guardian filed a lawsuit against Lifetime’s parent company in an apparent attempt to block it from being released.
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However, a judge dismissed the unnamed guardian’s request, citing the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech.
The documentary was also met with criticism after it premiered, with fans left wondering whether or not Williams had been ‘exploited’.
One person tweeted: “I get it, if you're going to make a reality TV style documentary, you have to show the good, the bad & the ugly but Wendy is unwell. Shes being exploited. If her team cared, they'd be more protective & keen to show her in the best possible light. They don't care.”
Someone else agreed: “There shouldn’t be any cameras in front of her at this state. All she needs is family, care, support and healing. This woman has been through a lot and is still going through it: Losing her Mom; Her marriage ending; And her health struggles.”
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Williams’ care team has said they hope to break the stigma faced by those diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
“There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need,” their statement said.
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she 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.”
What is primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia?
In their statement, Williams’ care team went on to explain some of the difficulties that someone suffering from either condition might face.
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"Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life,” they said.
Williams has since spoken out to thank fans for their ‘overwhelming’ support, saying in a statement to the Associated Press that the messages she received had reminded her of ‘the power of unity and the need for compassion’.
Tyla has reached out to A+E Networks, which owns Lifetime, for comment.
Topics: Health, Celebrity, TV And Film
Jess Hardiman