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{{short description|American television personality and radio host}} {{Short description|American media personality (born 1964)}}
{{Other people}} {{Other people}}
{{pp-pc1}} {{pp-pc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}} {{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|7|18}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|7|18}}
| birth_place = ], U.S. | birth_place = ], U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Broadcaster|media personality|businesswoman|writer|producer}} | occupation = {{hlist|Broadcaster|media personality|writer}}
| years_active = 1986–2023<ref name = People>{{cite news|url = https://people.com/wendy-williams-family-break-their-silence-shocking-and-heartbreaking-struggles-over-past-3-years-exclusive-8585052|title = Wendy Williams' Family Break Their Silence on Her 'Shocking and Heartbreaking' Struggles Over the Past 3 Years (Exclusive)|last1 = Tracy|first1 = Brianne|last2 = Rubenstein|first2 = Janine|date = February 21, 2024|accessdate = February 21, 2024|work = ]|quote = The documentary crew stopped filming Williams in April 2023. That month, she entered a facility to treat "cognitive issues" Williams remains in the facility to this day|archive-date = February 21, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240221160833/https://people.com/wendy-williams-family-break-their-silence-shocking-and-heartbreaking-struggles-over-past-3-years-exclusive-8585052|url-status = live}}</ref>
| known_for =
| education = ] (])
| years_active = 1986–present
| education = {{plainlist| | other_names = Wendy Williams Hunter{{efn-la|name="Legal name"}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* ]
* {{marriage|Bert Girigorie|1994|1995|end=divorced}}
* ]
* {{marriage|Kevin Hunter|1999|2020|end=divorced}}{{efn-la|name="Marriage"}}
}} }}
| alma_mater =
| other_names = Wendy Williams Hunter<ref name="Who's Who">{{cite book |editor-last=Atterberry |editor-first=Tara E. |year=2020 |title=Who's Who Among African Americans |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX7999614403/GVRL |url-access=subscription |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |edition=35th |page=1134 |isbn=978-1-4103-8816-2 |issn=1081-1400 |oclc=1143796741}}</ref>
| spouse = {{marriage|Bert Girigorie<br/>|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Kevin Hunter|1999|2020|reason={{abbr|div.|divorced}}}}{{efn-la|name="Marriage"|Sources differ regarding the year of Williams' marriage to Hunter. While some publications give 1997,<ref name="Who's Who"/><ref name="Newsmakers">{{cite book |last=Brennan |first=Carol |editor-last=Avery |editor-first=Laura |year=2015 |title=Newsmakers |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3611200142/GVRL |url-access=subscription |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |pages=472–475 |isbn=9781414497792 |oclc=903054736}}</ref> her divorce filing lists 1999.<ref name="Griffith 2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-kevin-hunter-n993576 |title=Wendy Williams files for divorce from husband, Kevin Hunter |last=Griffith |first=Janelle |publisher=] |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205002926/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-kevin-hunter-n993576 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Butler 2019">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/11/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-more-than-years/ |url-access=subscription |title=Wendy Williams files for divorce from husband of 20 years |last=Butler |first=Bethonie |work=] |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210412025800/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/11/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-more-than-years/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| children = 1 | children = 1
| net worth =
| height =
| television = {{plainlist| | television = {{plainlist|
* '']'' * '']''
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* '']'' * '']''
}} }}
| website = {{URL|www.wendyshow.com}}
}} }}
'''Wendy Joan Williams''' (born July 18, 1964) is an American broadcaster, media personality, businesswoman, and writer. Since 2008, she has hosted the ] television talk show ''].''


'''Wendy Williams Hunter'''{{efn-la|name="Legal name"|Sources have used both Wendy Williams Hunter and simply Wendy Hunter as Williams' legal name.<ref name="Maas"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams documentary will still air this weekend after legal guardian files lawsuit against Lifetime's parent company |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/wendy-williams-documentary-lifetime/index.html |work=CNN |date=23 February 2024 |language=en |access-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223234532/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/wendy-williams-documentary-lifetime/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Who's Who">{{cite book |editor-last=Atterberry |editor-first=Tara E. |year=2020 |title=Who's Who Among African Americans |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX7999614403/GVRL |url-access=subscription |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |edition=35th |page=1134 |isbn=978-1-4103-8816-2 |issn=1081-1400 |oclc=1143796741}}</ref>}} ({{nee|'''Wendy Joan Williams'''}}; born July 18, 1964) is an American former broadcaster, media personality, and writer. From 2008 to 2021, she hosted the ] television talk show ''].''
Prior to television, Williams was a ] and host and quickly became known in ] as a ]ette. She gained notoriety for her on-air spats with celebrities and was the subject of the 2006 ] reality television series ''],'' which broadcast events surrounding her radio show.


Prior to television, Williams was a ] and host and quickly became known in New York City as a ]. She gained notoriety for her on-air spats with celebrities and was the subject of the 2006 ] reality television series ''],'' which broadcast events surrounding her radio show.
Williams' other endeavors include authoring several books, appearances in various films and television shows, and her own product lines, including a fashion line, a jewelry collection and a wig line. Williams was inducted into the ] in 2009. On her 50th birthday, the council of ] renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.

Williams's other endeavors include authoring several books, appearances in various films and television shows, touring her comedy show,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brady|first=Louisa|title=Wendy Williams Returns to LA in LIPSHTICK - THE PERFECT SHADE OF STAND UP on 10/31011/1|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Wendy-Williams-Returns-to-LA-in-LIPSHTICK-THE-PERFECT-SHADE-OF-STAND-UP-on-10310111-20140819|access-date=January 14, 2022|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115062728/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Wendy-Williams-Returns-to-LA-in-LIPSHTICK-THE-PERFECT-SHADE-OF-STAND-UP-on-10310111-20140819|url-status=live}}</ref> and her own product lines, including a fashion line, a jewelry collection and a wig line. Williams was inducted into the ] in 2009. On her 50th birthday, the council of ], renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.

Williams seemingly retired from public life in 2023 after being diagnosed with ] and ], though no official announcement regarding the future of her career has come from Williams or her team.
{{TOC Limit|3}} {{TOC Limit|3}}


==Early life== ==Early life==
Wendy Joan Williams was born on July 18, 1964, in ].<ref name="Newsmakers"/> She is the second of three children born to Shirley ({{nee|Skinner}}) and Thomas Dwayne Williams.<ref name="APP 1988"/> The couple had a combined three master's degrees;<ref name="Fishman">{{cite magazine |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14790/ |title=How New York's shock jockette got supersized |last=Fishman |first=David |magazine=] |date=October 14, 2005 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028232014/https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14790/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Shirley was a ] teacher while Thomas was a teacher and school principal who in 1969 became the first black school administrator in ].<ref name="APP 1988">{{cite news |last=Mikle |first=Jean |date=September 28, 1988 |title=Woman finds the time to better community |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68919220/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=F2 |via=] |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68919220/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=July 10, 1969 |title=Red Bank hires Black man for principal's post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97014316/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |pages=25{{hyphen}}26 |via=] |access-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306052508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97014316/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following ], the family moved to the predominantly white, middle income suburb of ] in ].<ref name="Fishman"/><ref name="Schulman">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/24/wendy-williams-dishes-the-dirt |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams dishes the dirt |last=Schulman |first=Michael |magazine=] |date=May 17, 2021 |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021023126/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/05/24/wendy-williams-dishes-the-dirt |url-status=live}}</ref> They attended a ] church<ref name=":2">Williams and Hunter, p. 114</ref> and visited the town of ], each summer.<ref name="Trebay 2009">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/t-magazine/womens-fashion/06talk-williams.html |url-access=limited |title=Ms. Demeanour |last=Trebay |first=Guy |magazine=] |date=November 23, 2009 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195333/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/t-magazine/womens-fashion/06talk-williams.html |url-status=live}}</ref> As a child, doctors recommended Williams be medicated to control her ].<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993">{{cite news |last=Hunter-Hodge |first=Karen |date=September 5, 1993 |title=Atop hip hop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810190/daily-news/ |department=Radio |work=] |page=22 |via=] |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202182945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810190/daily-news/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She suffered from poor ] due to the diet her parents put her on after gaining weight in elementary school.<ref name="Schulman"/> Williams was a ] in the ] and volunteered as a ].<ref name="Trebay 2009"/> Her parents believed she would become a nurse.<ref name="Schulman"/>

] in ]'s 1980 yearbook]] ] in ]'s 1980 yearbook]]
Williams acted as an announcer at her younger brother's ] games.<ref name="Fishman"/> She graduated from ] in 1982 among four black students, ranking 360th in the class of 363.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="Schulman"/> Her academic performance contrasted with that of her older sister, who received a university scholarship at the age of 16.<ref name="Strauss"/> As she was able to use "white" ] instead of ], Williams's white classmates considered her one of their own and freely used the word '']'' around her.<ref name="Schulman"/><ref name=":3">{{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Greg |year=2009 |title=Hip-Hop Revolution in the Flesh |location=New York |publisher=] |page=96 |isbn=978-1-349-37682-7}}</ref> She did not get along with the other black students and said their only commonality was smoking ].<ref name="Fishman"/><ref name="Schulman"/> According to Williams, she did not listen to ] and instead listened to rock bands like ] because they were popular with her classmates.<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/> Due to her suburban upbringing, Williams considers herself "a multicultural woman who happens to be Black".<ref name="Strauss"/>
Wendy Joan Williams was born on July 18, 1964, in ].<ref name="Newsmakers"/> She is the second of three children born to Shirley (née Skinner), a ] teacher, and Thomas Dwayne Williams, an English teacher and school ].<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="APP 1988">{{cite news |last=Mikle |first=Jean |date=September 28, 1988 |title=Woman finds the time to better community |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68919220/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=F2 |via=]}}</ref><ref name="NYmagProfile">{{cite magazine |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14790/ |title=How New York's shock jockette got supersized |last=Fishman |first=David |magazine=] |date=October 14, 2005 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028232014/https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14790/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The couple had a combined three ]s<ref name="NYmagProfile"/> and traveled around the world, often buying pieces to decorate their home with.<ref name="Schaad 1986">{{cite news |last=Schaad |first=Lisa Geller |date=September 14, 1986 |title=Traveling adds to style "mix" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810173/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=B5 |via=]}}</ref> In 1970, the family moved to the ] suburban community of ] in ].<ref name="Schaad 1986"/><ref name="Current Biography">{{cite book |editor-last=Thompson |editor-first=Clifford |year=2009 |title=Current Biography Yearbook |title-link=Current Biography Yearbook |location=New York City |publisher=] |edition=70th |pages=606–610 |isbn=978-0-8242-1104-2 |issn=0084-9499 |lccn=40-27432 |oclc=1244599703 |ol=31988793M}}</ref> As a child, doctors recommended Williams be medicated to control her ].<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993">{{cite news |last=Hunter-Hodge |first=Karen |date=September 5, 1993 |title=Atop hip hop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810190/daily-news/ |department=Radio |work=] |page=22 |via=]}}</ref> She was a ] in the ] and volunteered as a ].<ref name="Trebay 2009">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/t-magazine/womens-fashion/06talk-williams.html |url-access=limited |title=Ms. Demeanour |last=Trebay |first=Guy |magazine=] |date=November 23, 2009 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195333/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/t-magazine/womens-fashion/06talk-williams.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


Williams graduated from ] in 1982 where she was an outcast and one of the few ]. A poor student, Williams placed 360th in the class of 363.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="vibe2003"/><ref name="Strauss 2003">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/in-person-making-waves-on-the-radio.html |url-access=limited |title=Making waves on the radio |last=Strauss |first=Robert |department=In Person |work=] |date=September 28, 2003 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104235038/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/in-person-making-waves-on-the-radio.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> She has said that growing up she did not listen to ] and instead listened to rock bands like ], which were popular with her classmates.<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/> Williams attended ] in Boston with the intent of becoming a ].<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="LLoyd 1989">{{cite news |last=LLoyd |first=Rosemary E. |date=April 16, 1989 |title="Hot 97" disc jockey still calls area home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810178/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E12 |via=]}}</ref> Less than a month after starting, she switched from television communications to radio because she could advance her career faster<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/>—a move of which her parents disapproved.<ref name="Strauss 2003"/> Williams graduated in 1986 with a ] degree in ] and, to appease her parents, a ] in journalism.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="B&C 2012">{{cite magazine |title=Jersey girl becomes "hot topic" of her own |last=Rubino |first=Lindsay |magazine=] |date=November 19, 2012 |volume=142 |issue=45 |page=22 |id={{ProQuest|1184099628}}}}</ref> She was a ] for the ] station, ], where rapper ] was her first celebrity interviewee. As an ] for ] at ] station ], Williams recapped the ]s '']'' and '']'' on air.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="Current Biography"/> Williams attended ] in Boston with the intent of becoming a ].<ref name="Current Biography">{{cite book |editor-last=Thompson |editor-first=Clifford |year=2009 |title=Current Biography Yearbook |title-link=Current Biography Yearbook |location=New York City |publisher=] |edition=70th |pages=606–610 |isbn=978-0-8242-1104-2 |issn=0084-9499 |lccn=40-27432 |oclc=1244599703 |ol=31988793M}}</ref><ref name="LLoyd 1989">{{cite news |last=LLoyd |first=Rosemary E. |date=April 16, 1989 |title="Hot 97" disc jockey still calls area home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810178/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E12 |via=] |access-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208165441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810178/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Less than a month after starting, she switched from television communications to radio because she could advance her career faster<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/>—a move of which her parents disapproved.<ref name="Strauss">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/in-person-making-waves-on-the-radio.html |url-access=limited |title=Making waves on the radio |last=Strauss |first=Robert |department=In Person |work=] |date=September 28, 2003 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104235038/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/in-person-making-waves-on-the-radio.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> Williams graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in ] and, to appease her parents, a ] in journalism.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="B&C 2012">{{cite magazine |title=Jersey girl becomes "hot topic" of her own |last=Rubino |first=Lindsay |magazine=] |date=November 19, 2012 |volume=142 |issue=45 |page=22 |id={{ProQuest|1184099628}}}}</ref> She was a disc jockey for the ] station, ], where rapper ] was her first celebrity interviewee. As an ] for ] at ] station ], Williams recapped the soap operas '']'' and '']'' on air.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="Schulman"/> In 2021, Williams revealed that she was ] while in college.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/wendy-williams-sherrick-date-rape-b1787018.html |title=Wendy Williams says that she was sexually assaulted by 1980s R&B singer Sherrick |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |newspaper=] |date=January 14, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513022152/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/wendy-williams-sherrick-date-rape-b1787018.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Career== ==Media career==
===1986–1994: Career beginnings, WQHT, and WRKS===
===1986–2009: Radio===
Two weeks after graduating, Williams began her career as a disc jockey working for the small, ] and ]-oriented ] in ],<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="CBB">{{cite book |year=2007 |title=Contemporary Black Biography |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1606003774/BIC |url-access=subscription |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |volume=62 |issn=1058-1316 |oclc=931824919}}</ref><ref name="Stanley 2009">{{cite book |last=Nnolim |first=Nneka |editor-last=Stanley |editor-first=Tarshia L. |year=2009 |title=Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Literature |location=Westport, Connecticut |publisher=] |pages=260–261 |id={{LCC|PS153.N5 E53 2009}} |isbn=978-0-313-34389-6 |lccn=2008033532 |oclc=236329589 |ol=17049616M}}</ref> but disliked the role because she did not learn as much about radio from her colleagues as she expected.<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> Due to low pay{{efn-la|Williams earned $3.25 an hour, the ] at the time.<ref name="Current Biography"/>}} and isolation from her family, Williams began sending resumes and demo tapes of herself to other radio stations.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> She left WVIS after eight months and obtained a position at ]'s ] in 1987, but found its ] ] incompatible with her personality.<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/><ref name="Stanley 2009"/> Williams continued sending tapes to other stations and was hired by New York City's ] in November 1987 to fill-in on weekends.<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> After the ] station hired her full-time in 1988 to work overnight shifts, she left WOL.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> Two weeks after graduating from Northeastern, Williams began her career as a disc jockey working for the small, ] and ]-oriented ] in ],<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="CBB">{{cite journal |year=2007 |title=Contemporary Black Biography |journal=Contemporary Black Biography: Profiles from the International Black Community |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1606003774/BIC |url-access=subscription |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |volume=62 |issn=1058-1316 |oclc=931824919}}</ref><ref name="Stanley 2009">{{cite book |last=Nnolim |first=Nneka |editor-last=Stanley |editor-first=Tarshia L. |year=2009 |title=Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Literature |location=Westport, Connecticut |publisher=] |pages=260–261 |id={{LCC|PS153.N5 E53 2009}} |isbn=978-0-313-34389-6 |lccn=2008033532 |oclc=236329589 |ol=17049616M}}</ref> but disliked the role because she did not learn as much about radio from her colleagues as she expected.<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> Due to low pay and isolation from her family, Williams began sending resumes and demo tapes of herself to other radio stations.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> She left WVIS after eight months and obtained a position at Washington, D.C.'s ], but found its ] ] incompatible with her personality.<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/><ref name="Stanley 2009"/> Williams continued sending tapes to other stations and on November 1, 1987, began as a weekend fill-in on New York City's ].<ref name="LLoyd 1989"/> After the ] station hired her full-time to work overnight shifts, she left WOL.<ref name="Newsmakers"/><ref name="LLoyd 1989"/>


Williams was fired from WQHT in 1990<ref name="Collins 1993">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=August 27, 1993 |title=Radio host is tops on Kiss 'n' tell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810184/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |pages=C1, C10 |via=]}}</ref> and briefly worked overnight shifts at ] station ] before being hired by urban contemporary ] later in the year.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="B&C 2012"/><ref name="Stanley 2009"/> Initially working as a fill-in, WRKS gave Williams a ] and permanent morning position in May 1990 after ] began poaching its employees.<ref name="CBB"/><ref name="Billboard 1990">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Ross |first1=Sean |last2=Rosen |first2=Craig |last3=Stark |first3=Phyllis |magazine=] |date=May 12, 1990 |volume=102 |issue=19 |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1505961644}}}}</ref> She soon became a ], gossiping about rappers and celebrities. As her popularity grew, Williams was moved to the coveted ] time slot in April 1991.<ref name="Current Biography"/><ref name="CBB"/><ref name="Billboard 1991">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Ross |first1=Sean |last2=Rosen |first2=Craig |last3=Stark |first3=Phyllis |magazine=] |date=April 20, 1991 |volume=103 |issue=16 |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1506012982}}}}</ref> By 1993, she was the highest-rated host in her time slot in the New York City market<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/><ref name="Collins 1993"/> and received a '']'' Radio Award for R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year.<ref name="Billboard 1993">{{cite magazine |title=WRKS takes five ''Billboard'' Radio Awards |last=Stark |first=Phyllis |department=Radio |magazine=] |date=September 18, 1993 |place=New York City |volume=105 |issue=38 |pages=1, 94 |id={{ProQuest|1506016433}}}}</ref> Williams co-hosted ]' ''USA Music Magazine'' program in 1994,<ref name="Billboard Mar 1994">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Stark |first1=Phyllis |last2=Boehlert |first2=Eric |last3=Borzillo |first3=Carrie |magazine=] |date=March 19, 1994 |volume=106 |issue=12 |page=80 |id={{ProQuest|1506012982}}}}</ref> and moved backed to mornings in October that year.<ref name="Billboard Oct 1994">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Stark |first1=Phyllis |last2=Boehlert |first2=Eric |last3=Atwood |first3=Brett |magazine=] |date=October 1, 1994 |volume=106 |issue=40 |page=81 |id={{ProQuest|1506054968}}}}</ref> Williams was fired from WQHT after two years<ref name="Collins 1993">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=August 27, 1993 |title=Radio host is tops on Kiss 'n' tell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810184/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |pages=C1, C10 |via=] |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203100458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810184/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and briefly worked overnight shifts at ] before being hired by ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Women key to WRKS airwaves |last=Love |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Love |magazine=] |date=May 17, 1991 |page=57 |id={{ProQuest|1017247196}}}}</ref> Initially working as a fill-in, WRKS gave Williams a ] and permanent morning position in May 1990 after ] began poaching its employees.<ref name="CBB"/><ref name="Billboard 1990">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Ross |first1=Sean |last2=Rosen |first2=Craig |last3=Stark |first3=Phyllis |magazine=] |date=May 12, 1990 |volume=102 |issue=19 |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1505961644}}}}</ref> She joined Jeff Foxx and ] as part of the station's "Wake-Up Club".<ref name="Schulman"/><ref name="Billboard 1990"/> There, Williams began gossiping about rappers and celebrities during a segment called "Dish the Dirt". Those she talked about, such as ] and ], called the station and (unsuccessfully) demanded she be fired.<ref name="Schulman"/> As she grew into a popular radio personality, WRKS moved Williams to host the ] time slot in April 1991.<ref name="Schulman"/><ref name="Billboard 1991">{{cite magazine |title=Vox jox |last1=Ross |first1=Sean |last2=Rosen |first2=Craig |last3=Stark |first3=Phyllis |magazine=] |date=April 20, 1991 |volume=103 |issue=16 |page=14 |id={{ProQuest|1506012982}}}}</ref> By 1993, she was the highest-rated host in her time slot in the New York City market<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/><ref name="Collins 1993"/> and received a '']'' Radio Award for R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year.<ref name="Billboard 1993">{{cite magazine |title=WRKS takes five ''Billboard'' Radio Awards |last=Stark |first=Phyllis |department=Radio |magazine=] |date=September 18, 1993 |place=New York City |volume=105 |issue=38 |pages=1, 94 |id={{ProQuest|1506016433}}}}</ref>


Williams co-hosted ]' syndicated ''Top 30 USA'' song countdown program in 1993 and ''USA Music Magazine'' in 1994.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Fresh slate of programs, specials to surface in '93 |last=Borzillo |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Borzillo |magazine=] |date=January 9, 1993 |page=69 |id={{ProQuest|1505966302}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tribune's Perot, WW1's Simmons among celeb shows in '94 |last=Borzillo |first=Carrie |author-link=Carrie Borzillo |magazine=] |date=December 24, 1994 |page=93 |id={{ProQuest|1505970555}}}}</ref> By mid-1994, WRKS had suffered a ratings decline amid competition from ]-oriented WQHT, which was owned by ]. In an effort to reverse the trend, WRKS moved Williams back to mornings on September 26, 1994, where she hosted a program titled "Wendy and Company".<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=September 21, 1994 |title="Kiss-FM" retools wake-up show |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97127034/newsday/ |work=] |page=B65 |via=] |access-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307201948/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97127034/newsday/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Collins 1994">{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=December 13, 1994 |title=Williams finds new slot at WRKS' sister station |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810195/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=A2 |via=] |access-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307201948/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68810195/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Emmis purchased WRKS less than three months later and transferred Williams to WQHT, where she began hosting the evening drive time slot on December 12, 1994. As WRKS was reformatted into an ] outlet geared toward older audiences, they believed Williams would better reflect WQHT's younger demographic.<ref name="Collins 1994"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Colford |first=Paul D. |date=December 12, 1994 |title=Personnel moves at WRKS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97128543/newsday/ |work=] |page=B24 |via=] |access-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307201950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97128543/newsday/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 1994, ] purchased WRKS and switched Williams to the company's other New York property, hip-hop formatted ] ("Hot 97"), as WRKS was reformatted into an ] outlet. She was fired from Hot 97 in 1998.<ref name=NYmagProfile/> Williams was hired by a Philadelphia urban station, ] ("Power 99FM"). Her husband, Kevin Hunter, became her agent.<ref name=NYmagProfile/> She was very open about her personal life on air, discussing her miscarriages, breast enhancement surgery,<ref name=NYmagProfile/> and former drug addiction.<ref name="vibe2003">{{cite book |title=Drama Queen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2yYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |first=Lola |last=Ogunnaike |date=October 2003 |work=]|pages=160–163}}</ref> She helped the station move from 14th place in the ratings to 2nd.<ref name=NYmagProfile/>


===1994–2001: WQHT, website, move to WUSL===
By this time, Williams attended parties to gain information which she would report on air in addition to reading ].<ref name="Schulman"/> She continued gossip segments and gave relationship advice to teenage girls during "Ask Wendy". Williams's ratings increased dramatically after she read aloud a magazine article about an anonymous rapper confessing to being gay.<ref name="Moore"/> She became known for speculating about his identity<ref name="Schulman"/> and spread rumors that there was not one, but multiple gay rappers who were not open about their sexuality.<ref name="Smalls">{{cite book|last=Smalls|first=Shanté Paradigm|editor-last=Maus|editor-first1=Fred Everett|editor-last2=Whiteley|editor-first2=Sheila|year=2018|chapter=Queer Hip Hop: A Brief Historiography|title=The Oxford Handbook of Music and Queerness|location=New York|publisher=]|pages=121–142 |isbn=978-0-19-979352-5 |doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199793525.013.103}}</ref> Among her insinuations was that ] was raped in prison, which he denied.<ref name="Schulman"/><ref name="Williams">{{cite news|last=Wiliams|first=Precious|date=November 2, 2002|title=Verbal Assault|work=]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/nov/02/broadcasting.arts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016172606/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/nov/02/broadcasting.arts|archive-date=October 16, 2023}}</ref> Williams employed the term "]'s up" when alleging someone was gay and regularly used the slur '']'', which she considered to be inoffensive.<ref name="Moore"/> Her comments contributed to an increase of ].<ref name="Smalls"/>

Williams created a website, www.gowendy.com, as an offshoot of her radio program. Featuring photos and rumors of celebrities, it received up to 100,000 views per day.<ref name="Moore"/> In April 1997, WQHT suspended Williams for one week after mentioning her website on air, which displayed a doctored image of ] executive ] naked from the waist down having sex with another man.<ref name="Moore"/><ref name="Williams"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.frieze.com/article/grimee|title=The Grimee|magazine=]|date=June 6, 1998|archive-date=May 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521212710/https://www.frieze.com/article/grimee|url-status=live}}</ref> The station suspended Williams again in September 1997 for online comments insinuating that her colleague ]'s boyfriend ] was gay.<ref name="Schulman"/><ref name="Moore"/> Upon her return after deleting the post a month later, Williams called the ] girl group ] "broke hoes" after their comments favoring her suspension. WQHT permanently removed Williams and her fans protested outside of their offices. By this time, Williams had received more than 50 letters from the station regarding her "lack of good judgment". She speculated her removal was due to pressure from music industry executives and stood by her comments, stating: "I stopped caring about artists when I realized it's more lucrative to talk about them than with them."<ref name="Moore">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Nicole|title=Love Me or Weave Me|newspaper=]|date=December 9, 1997|page=54|id={{ProQuest|232255047}}}}</ref><!--Williams "sued to get out of her contract and reached a settlement".<ref name="Schulman"/>-->

She was fired from Hot 97 in 1998.<ref name="Fishman"/> Williams was hired by a Philadelphia urban station, ] ("Power 99FM"). She was very open about her personal life on air, discussing her miscarriages, breast enhancement surgery,<ref name="Fishman"/> and former drug addiction.<ref name="vibe2003">{{cite web |title=Drama Queen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2yYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |first=Lola |last=Ogunnaike |date=October 2003 |work=] |pages=160–163 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She helped the station move from 14th place in the ratings to 2nd.<ref name="Fishman"/>

===2001–2008: WBLS===
] ]
In 2001, Williams returned to the New York airwaves when ] hired her full-time for a syndicated 2–6 p.m. time slot. Williams' friend, MC Spice of Boston, offered his voiceover services to the show, often adding short rap verses tailored specifically for Williams' show. '']'' stated that her "show works best when its elements – confessional paired with snarkiness – are conflated".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/arts/television/13drak.html?_r=0|title=TELEVISION; A Radio Shock Jock Who's Ready for TV|last=Drake|first=Monica|date=July 13, 2008|work=The New York Times|page=17|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> By 2008, she was ] in ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; and ], among other markets.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} Williams left her radio show in 2009 to focus on her television program and spend more time with her family. She was also inducted into the ].<ref name="Carras 2019">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-10-17/wendy-williams-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams tears up at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony |last=Carras |first=Christi |work=] |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031113513/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-10-17/wendy-williams-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star |archive-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref> In 2001, Williams returned to the New York airwaves when ] hired her full-time for a syndicated 2–6 p.m. time slot. Williams' friend, MC Spice of Boston, offered his voiceover services to the show, often adding short rap verses tailored specifically for Williams' show. '']'' stated that her "show works best when its elements – confessional paired with snarkiness – are conflated".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/arts/television/13drak.html?_r=0|title=TELEVISION; A Radio Shock Jock Who's Ready for TV|last=Drake|first=Monica|date=July 13, 2008|work=The New York Times|page=17|access-date=April 15, 2013|archive-date=December 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220032841/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/arts/television/13drak.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2008, she was ] in ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; and ], among other markets.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} Williams left her radio show in 2009 to focus on her television program and spend more time with her family.


Media outlets have described Williams's 2003 interview with ] as her most infamous. After Williams asked Houston about her marriage and breast implants, they began a ] and Houston said she would have fought Williams if she were younger.<ref name="Trebay 2009"/><ref name="Wood 2009">{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Gaby|author-link=Gaby Wood|date=June 7, 2009|title="Queen of all media"|work=]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/07/wendy-williams-oprah-chat-show|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025021/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/07/wendy-williams-oprah-chat-show|archive-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Strauss"/> In a later interview with Williams, Houston's confidant ] said they planned to confront her years earlier after she talked about Houston on air.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bryant |first=Kenzie |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Wendy Williams did not amuse Whitney Houston |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/wendy-williams-whitney-houston-robyn-crawford |url-access=limited |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131063508/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/wendy-williams-whitney-houston-robyn-crawford |archive-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> ] performer ] had a personal and publicized conflict with Williams in 2006 after she revealed details about his wife's cancer diagnosis.<ref>{{cite news |last=Genegabus |first=Jason |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Tough Method Man hits back |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/09/15/features/story06.html |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915135215/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/09/15/features/story06.html |archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Morse |first=Russell |date=July 31, 2006 |title=Method Man puts on a happy face |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/method-man-puts-on-a-happy-face-82306/ |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401061722/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/method-man-puts-on-a-happy-face-82306/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref>
===2008–present: Television===

In 2008, ] offered Williams a six-week television trial of her own talk show. A syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Williams titled ''Wendy's World'' was poised to debut in fall 1997, but never aired.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Wendy's World''! Excellent! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UywEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=August 1997 |magazine=] |page=46}}</ref> On July 14, 2008, Williams debuted her daytime talk show, '']'', in four cities during the summer of 2008. During the tryout, ''The New York Times'' remarked that the show created a "breakthrough in daytime" by introducing the genre of the "backtalk show.".<ref name="Stanley2008">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/arts/television/22stan.html|title=Talk Show Is Less Talk, More Alpha-Female Action |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |date=July 22, 2008 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> After a successful run, ] signed a deal with Debmar-Mercury to broadcast the show nationally on their stations beginning in July 2009. In addition, ] picked up cable rights to broadcast the show at night. In 2010, BET started airing the show internationally in 54 countries through ].<ref>
===2008–2016: Breakthrough with ''The Wendy Williams Show'' ===
*{{Cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/wendy-williams-set-for-july-1117998404/ |title='Wendy Williams' set for July: Talk show goes national this summer |work=Variety |date=January 12, 2009}}
In 2008, ] offered Williams a six-week television trial of her own talk show. A syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Williams titled ''Wendy's World'' was poised to debut in fall 1997, but never aired.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Wendy's World''! Excellent! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UywEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46 |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=August 1997 |magazine=] |page=46}}</ref> On July 14, 2008, Williams debuted her daytime talk show, '']'', in four cities during the summer of 2008. During the tryout, ''The New York Times'' remarked that the show created a "breakthrough in daytime" by introducing the genre of the "backtalk show".<ref name="Stanley2008">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/arts/television/22stan.html |title=Talk Show Is Less Talk, More Alpha-Female Action |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |date=July 22, 2008 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2013 |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220053059/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/arts/television/22stan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After a successful run, ] signed a deal with Debmar-Mercury to broadcast the show nationally on their stations beginning in July 2009. In addition, ] picked up cable rights to broadcast the show at night. In 2010, BET started airing the show internationally in 54 countries through ].<ref>*{{Cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |url=https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/wendy-williams-set-for-july-1117998404/ |title='Wendy Williams' set for July: Talk show goes national this summer |work=Variety |date=January 12, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204084758/https://variety.com/2009/scene/markets-festivals/wendy-williams-set-for-july-1117998404/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |authors=Fearn-Banks, Kathleen, and Anne Burford-Johnson |date=2014 |title=Historical Dictionary of African American Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxa7BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA508 |page=508 |isbn= 978-0810879171}}
*{{cite book |author1=Fearn-Banks, Kathleen |author2=Anne Burford-Johnson |date=2014 |title=Historical Dictionary of African American Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxa7BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA508 |page=508 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8108-7917-1 }}
*{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Kevin |date=June 1, 2010 |title=BET Networks Acquires Debmar-Mercury's 'THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' for Season Two Domestically; Secures International Channels Rights |url=http://www.radiofacts.com/bet-networks-acquires-debmar-mercurys-the-wendy-williams-show-for-season-two-domestically-secures-international-channels-rights/ |newspaper=Radiofacts |access-date=September 24, 2016}}</ref> The show attracts 2.4 million daily viewers on average, with Williams trading off daily with ] as the number one female host on ].<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |last=Rovzar |first=Chris |date=March 4, 2015 |title=How Wendy Williams Became Daytime Talk's Unlikely Survivor |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-04/how-wendy-williams-became-daytime-talk-s-unlikely-survivor |newspaper=] |access-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731073542/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-04/how-wendy-williams-became-daytime-talk-s-unlikely-survivor |archive-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>
*{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Kevin |date=June 1, 2010 |title=BET Networks Acquires Debmar-Mercury's 'THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' for Season Two Domestically; Secures International Channels Rights |url=http://www.radiofacts.com/bet-networks-acquires-debmar-mercurys-the-wendy-williams-show-for-season-two-domestically-secures-international-channels-rights/ |newspaper=Radiofacts |access-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927001953/http://www.radiofacts.com/bet-networks-acquires-debmar-mercurys-the-wendy-williams-show-for-season-two-domestically-secures-international-channels-rights/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The show attracted 2.4 million daily viewers on average, with Williams trading off daily with ] as the number one female host on ].<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |last=Rovzar |first=Chris |date=March 4, 2015 |title=How Wendy Williams Became Daytime Talk's Unlikely Survivor |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-04/how-wendy-williams-became-daytime-talk-s-unlikely-survivor |newspaper=] |access-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731073542/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-04/how-wendy-williams-became-daytime-talk-s-unlikely-survivor |archive-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>


] ]
Williams hosted a game show for ] called '']'' (2011) for which she and her husband Kevin Hunter served as executive producers.<ref>, GSN. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122034045/http://tv.gsn.com/shows/lovetriangle/ |date=January 22, 2011 }}</ref> Williams played a judge on the ] network show '']'' (2011) and served as a guest judge on '']'' (2013).<ref name="Eur Web #2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-inks-first-look-deal-with-oxygen/|title=Wendy Williams Inks First Look Deal with Oxygen|last=Essex|first=Myeisha|date=February 5, 2013|work=EurWeb|access-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> She was also a contestant, paired with pro ] on ] of '']'' (2011); she was eliminated second.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304000601/http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/season-12-pros|url-status=dead|title=Watch Dancing with the Stars TV Show - ABC.com|archive-date=March 4, 2011|website=ABC}}</ref> Williams appeared in the ] of ]'s book, '']'', titled '']'' (2012), and its sequel, '']'' (2014). In 2012, it was announced Williams would enter into a "production alliance" with producers ] and ] to create movies and television shows aimed at multicultural audiences.<ref name="News One">{{cite web |url=http://newsone.com/2023239/wendy-williams-suzanne-de-passe/ |title=Wendy Williams, Suzanne DePasse Team Up on Multi-Picture Venture |work=Blast Zone Online |first=Ruth |last=Manuel-Logan |date=June 30, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wendy-williams-presents-movies-star-jones-343137 |title=Wendy Williams Aligns With de Passe Jones Entertainment for Scripted Ventures |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Alex |last=Bock |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2013}}</ref> These projects will appear under the heading "Wendy Williams presents"<ref name="Hollywood Reporter" /> and their first project will be VH1 adaptation of a ] novel.<ref name="News One" /> Williams hosted a game show for ] called '']'' (2011) for which she and her husband Kevin Hunter served as executive producers.<ref>, GSN. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122034045/http://tv.gsn.com/shows/lovetriangle/ |date=January 22, 2011 }}</ref> Williams played a judge on the ] network show '']'' (2011) and served as a guest judge on '']'' (2013).<ref name="Eur Web #2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-inks-first-look-deal-with-oxygen/|title=Wendy Williams Inks First Look Deal with Oxygen|last=Essex|first=Myeisha|date=February 5, 2013|work=EurWeb|access-date=April 13, 2013|archive-date=February 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207045250/http://www.eurweb.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-inks-first-look-deal-with-oxygen/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Williams was paired with ] as a contestant on the ] of '']''; she was eliminated second. Williams later alleged the show's producers portrayed her as an ], a racial stereotype.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/popculture/dancing-stars-deception-wendy-williams-alleges-they-script-what-you-1D79544259 |title=''Dancing With the Stars'' deception? Wendy Williams alleges, "They script what you say" |last=Chan |first=Anna |publisher=] |date=April 17, 2014 |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305073003/https://www.nbcnews.com/popculture/dancing-stars-deception-wendy-williams-alleges-they-script-what-you-1D79544259 |url-status=live}}</ref> Williams appeared in the ] of ]'s book, '']'', titled '']'' (2012), and its sequel, '']'' (2014). In 2012, it was announced Williams would enter into a "production alliance" with producers ] and ] to create movies and television shows aimed at multicultural audiences.<ref name="News One">{{cite web |url=http://newsone.com/2023239/wendy-williams-suzanne-de-passe/ |title=Wendy Williams, Suzanne DePasse Team Up on Multi-Picture Venture |work=Blast Zone Online |first=Ruth |last=Manuel-Logan |date=June 30, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702002402/http://newsone.com/2023239/wendy-williams-suzanne-de-passe/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wendy-williams-presents-movies-star-jones-343137 |title=Wendy Williams Aligns With de Passe Jones Entertainment for Scripted Ventures |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Alex |last=Bock |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707013200/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wendy-williams-presents-movies-star-jones-343137 |url-status=live }}</ref> These projects will appear under the heading "Wendy Williams presents"<ref name="Hollywood Reporter" /> and their first project will be VH1 adaptation of a ] novel.<ref name="News One" />


In February 2013, it was announced that Williams and her husband and manager, Kevin, were launching a reality television production company, Wendy Williams Productions.<ref name="Clutch Magazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-launches-reality-tv-production-company/ |title=Wendy Williams Launches Reality TV Production Company |work=Clutch Magazine |first=Myeisha |last=Essex |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> that will produce unscripted content, including reality television and game shows.<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/wendy-williams-launches-prod-n-shingle-1118065633/ |title=Talkshow maven pacts with manager and Debmar Mercury |work=Variety |first=AJ |last=Marechal |date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Williams was an executive producer on the show '']'' (2014).<ref name="Eur Web #2" /> Williams also executive produced the Lifetime ] '']'', which premiered on November 15, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rnb |title=About |publisher=Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Review aggregator ] assigned the film a score of 32 out of 100 based on seven critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rb |title=''Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B'' |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715003146/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rb |archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref> In September 2015, the documentary series '']'' premiered on the ] channel, both hosted and produced by Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/id-series-barbara-walters-american-scandals-wendy-williams-death-by-gossip-1201553298/|title=Investigation Discovery Greenlights Series with Barbara Walters, Wendy Williams|first=Laura|last=Prudom|access-date=August 31, 2015|date=August 19, 2015|work=]}}</ref> In 2013, Williams was cast to play the role of Matron "Mama" Morton on the ] musical '']''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wendy in Chicago on Broadway! |publisher=The Wendy Williams Show |url=http://www.wendyshow.com/wendy-in-chicago-on-broadway/ |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Wendy Williams Will Join Cast of Broadway's Chicago This Summer |first=Andrew|last= Gans |date=April 15, 2013 |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/wendy-williams-will-join-cast-of-broadways-chicago-this-summer-204409 |work=Playbill |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> She began her tenure on July 2<ref>{{cite web |title=Talk Show Queen Wendy Williams Brings Sass and Class to Her Big Broadway Bow in Chicago |first=Marc |last=Snetiker |date=July 2, 2013 |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/170453/talk-show-queen-wendy-williams-brings-sass-and-class-to-her-big-broadway-bow-in-chicago/ |publisher=Broadway.com |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> and finished her seven-week run on August 11, 2013. Her preparations for the musical were documented in the TV Guide docuseries ''Wendy Williams: How You Doin', Broadway?!'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Reality Series, John Rich Variety Show Coming to TV Guide Network |first=Jethro |last=Nededog |date=July 17, 2013 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/wendy-williams-reality-series-john-rich-variety-show-coming-tv-guide-network-103931/ |publisher=TheWrap |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> which was produced by her own production company, Wendy Williams Productions.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/wendy-williams-broadway-special-tvgn_n_3612016.html | work=The Huffington Post | first=Brennan | last=Williams | title=Wendy Lands Another Network Show | date=July 17, 2013}}</ref> In February 2013, it was announced that Williams and her husband and manager, Kevin, were launching a reality television production company, Wendy Williams Productions.<ref name="Clutch Magazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-launches-reality-tv-production-company/ |title=Wendy Williams Launches Reality TV Production Company |work=Clutch Magazine |first=Myeisha |last=Essex |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2013 |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414214829/http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/02/wendy-williams-launches-reality-tv-production-company/ }}</ref> that will produce unscripted content, including reality television and game shows.<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/wendy-williams-launches-prod-n-shingle-1118065633/ |title=Talkshow maven pacts with manager and Debmar Mercury |work=Variety |first=AJ |last=Marechal |date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613180809/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/wendy-williams-launches-prod-n-shingle-1118065633/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams was an executive producer on the show '']'' (2014).<ref name="Eur Web #2"/> Williams also executive produced a biographical film for ], '']'', which premiered on November 15, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|title=Wendy Williams on her involvement with Aaliyah biopic: "Lifetime needed to tell this story correctly"|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6312086/wendy-williams-on-lifetime-aaliyah-biopic|magazine=]|date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326182320/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6312086/wendy-williams-on-lifetime-aaliyah-biopic|archive-date=March 26, 2017}}</ref> The film attracted controversy due to its casting and depiction of Aaliyah's relationship with ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Keene|first=Allison|title=''Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B'': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/aaliyah-princess-r-b-tv-749086|work=]|access-date=November 17, 2014|date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711051247/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/aaliyah-princess-r-b-tv-749086/|archive-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref> and received predominantly negative reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rb |title=''Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B'' |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715003146/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rb |archive-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> In September 2015, the documentary series '']'' premiered on the ] channel, both hosted and produced by Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/id-series-barbara-walters-american-scandals-wendy-williams-death-by-gossip-1201553298/|title=Investigation Discovery Greenlights Series with Barbara Walters, Wendy Williams|first=Laura|last=Prudom|access-date=August 31, 2015|date=August 19, 2015|work=]|archive-date=July 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731160617/https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/id-series-barbara-walters-american-scandals-wendy-williams-death-by-gossip-1201553298/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Williams was cast to play the role of Matron "Mama" Morton on the ] musical '']''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy in Chicago on Broadway! |newspaper=The Wendy Williams Show |url=http://www.wendyshow.com/wendy-in-chicago-on-broadway/ |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615033329/http://www.wendyshow.com/wendy-in-chicago-on-broadway/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Will Join Cast of Broadway's Chicago This Summer |first=Andrew |last=Gans |date=April 15, 2013 |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/wendy-williams-will-join-cast-of-broadways-chicago-this-summer-204409 |work=Playbill |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=May 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512001559/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/wendy-williams-will-join-cast-of-broadways-chicago-this-summer-204409 |url-status=live }}</ref> She began her tenure on July 2<ref>{{cite web |title=Talk Show Queen Wendy Williams Brings Sass and Class to Her Big Broadway Bow in Chicago |first=Marc |last=Snetiker |date=July 2, 2013 |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/170453/talk-show-queen-wendy-williams-brings-sass-and-class-to-her-big-broadway-bow-in-chicago/ |publisher=Broadway.com |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=July 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705065421/http://www.broadway.com/buzz/170453/talk-show-queen-wendy-williams-brings-sass-and-class-to-her-big-broadway-bow-in-chicago/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and finished her seven-week run on August 11, 2013. Her preparations for the musical were documented in the TV Guide docuseries ''Wendy Williams: How You Doin', Broadway?!'',<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Reality Series, John Rich Variety Show Coming to TV Guide Network |first=Jethro |last=Nededog |date=July 17, 2013 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/wendy-williams-reality-series-john-rich-variety-show-coming-tv-guide-network-103931/ |publisher=TheWrap |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010014023/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/wendy-williams-reality-series-john-rich-variety-show-coming-tv-guide-network-103931/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which was produced by her own production company, Wendy Williams Productions.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/wendy-williams-broadway-special-tvgn_n_3612016.html | work=The Huffington Post | first=Brennan | last=Williams | title=Wendy Lands Another Network Show | date=July 17, 2013 | access-date=February 18, 2020 | archive-date=January 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109042305/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/wendy-williams-broadway-special-tvgn_n_3612016.html | url-status=live }}</ref>


Williams was accused of ] singer ] in 2016 after questioning why she did not film ] by record producer ] against her.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jefferson |first=J'Na |date=February 23, 2016 |title=According to Wendy Williams, Kesha should have recorded Dr. Luke's alleged abuse |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/wendy-williams-kesha-case-comments-406851/ |url-status=live |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402031718/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/wendy-williams-kesha-case-comments-406851/ |archive-date=April 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Saul |first=Heather |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Wendy Williams asks why Kesha didn't record her alleged abuse |work=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kesha-wendy-williams-dr-luke-alleged-abuse-film-a6892796.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103955/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kesha-wendy-williams-dr-luke-alleged-abuse-film-a6892796.html |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> Williams later apologized for the remarks and stated "unfortunately a lot of people lie about rape so I was just being skeptical".<ref>{{cite web |last=Verhoeven |first=Beatrice |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Wendy Williams apologizes to Kesha for "being Skeptical" of rape claims against Dr. Luke |url=https://www.thewrap.com/kesha-dr-luke-rape-wendy-williams-apology-for-being-skeptical-of-sexual-assault-sony-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124050/https://www.thewrap.com/kesha-dr-luke-rape-wendy-williams-apology-for-being-skeptical-of-sexual-assault-sony-music/ |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |work=]}}</ref>
]

Williams had not missed an episode of her talk show until February 2018, when she took one week off; however, on February 21, 2018, Williams announced that her show would be on three weeks' hiatus due to her complications with ] and ].<ref name="Wendy Williams">{{Cite web|last=Wendy Williams|title=A Message from Wendy|date=February 21, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvZybtmE5RY|access-date=February 21, 2018}}</ref> In January 2019, a statement from the Williams Hunter family revealed that Williams had been hospitalized due to complications from Graves' disease and that her return to the show would be delayed indefinitely as a result.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2019/01/18/wendy-williams-hospitalized-as-she-delays-return-to-talk-show-indefinitely/23646530/|title=Wendy Williams hospitalized for 'complications' as she delays return to talk show indefinitely|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=AOL.com|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019}}</ref> Guest hosts such as ] filled in for Wendy during her absence; she returned on March 4, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/wendy-williams-return-talk-show-march-4-1203144785/|title=Wendy Williams Sets March 4 Return to Syndicated Talk Show|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|date=February 21, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> In early March 2020, the show discontinued its live audience for two tapings due to the ] ]; Williams's staff filled in the seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-wendy-williams-show-to-tape-without-live-audience-due-to-coronavirus/|title='The Wendy Williams Show' to Tape Without Live Audience Due to Coronavirus|website=]|first=Reid|last=Nakamura|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, production on the show was halted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/nbc-the-tonight-show-late-night-wendy-williams-show-shut-down-production-coronavirus-1202881824/|title=ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Shuts Down Production Over Coronavirus, Joins CBS' 'Late Show', NBC's 'The Tonight Show' & 'Late Night', Syndicated 'Wendy Williams Show' – Update|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> The show reemerged as ''The Wendy Williams Show @ Home'', broadcast through video chat from Williams's apartment, and continuing through May 15, when production was halted again due to a flare in Williams's ].<ref name="2020 break">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/19/entertainment/wendy-williams-graves-hiatus/index.html|title=Wendy Williams taking break from show to deal with Graves' disease|first=Lisa Respers |last=France|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wendy-williams-hiatus-graves-disease-coronavirus-remote-episodes-1234609999/|title=Wendy Williams Taking Hiatus Due To Health Concerns Surrounding Graves' Disease (Exclusive)|first1=Will|last1=Thorne|date=May 18, 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, Williams announced that her show would be returning to live broadcasting in-studio on September 21, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wendy-williams-season-12-return-coronavirus-studio-audience-1234712595/|title='The Wendy Williams Show' Sets In-Studio Return Date After Months-Long Coronavirus Shutdown|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Wagmeister|date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, Williams competed on ] of '']'' as "Lips" where she was mostly sitting due to the weight of the costume. She performed the song "]" by ] and was eliminated and unmasked after her first appearance. Williams signed a deal with the US network ] for a documentary, '']'' and a TV movie, '']'' based on her life.<ref>https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/01/24/wendy-williams-tells-her-story-in-biopic-and-doc-on-lifetime/</ref>
===2017–2021: Personal and professional issues, end of talk show===
]

Williams's health issues caused her to take multiple hiatuses from hosting her show, including three weeks in 2018 and six weeks in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/03/19/wendy-williams-returns-tv-after-taking-hiatus-deal-graves-disease/437438002/|title=Wendy Williams returns to TV after taking hiatus to deal with Graves' Disease|last=Reed|first=Anika|date=March 19, 2018|magazine=]|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311202745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/03/19/wendy-williams-returns-tv-after-taking-hiatus-deal-graves-disease/437438002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/wendy-williams-sober-living-house-1203167337/|title=Wendy Williams reveals she's been staying in a sober-living house|last=Nissen|first=Dano|date=March 19, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013115/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/wendy-williams-sober-living-house-1203167337/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During this time, Williams received criticism for several remarks she made on her show. In January 2018, Williams was criticized by activist ] after saying an alleged 14-year-old sexual assault victim of ] gave him ] and that she was tired of the ].<ref name="Butler August 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/wendy-williams-made-a-lot-of-enemies-in-radio-20-years-ago-now-shes-a-daytime-television-staple/2018/08/22/15f35dc0-9f18-11e8-8e87-c869fe70a721_story.html|url-access=limited|title=Wendy Williams made a lot of enemies in radio 20 years ago. Now she's a daytime-television staple.|last=Butler|first=Bethonie|date=August 23, 2018|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021023136/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/wendy-williams-made-a-lot-of-enemies-in-radio-20-years-ago-now-shes-a-daytime-television-staple/2018/08/22/15f35dc0-9f18-11e8-8e87-c869fe70a721_story.html|archive-date=October 21, 2021}}</ref> Williams stood by her comments, saying "I feel like I know things about R. Kelly that he's told me himself that I promised I would keep in confidence."<ref name="Butler August 2018"/> While talking about actor ] in January 2020, Williams used her finger to pull up a part of her lip to resemble a ], which Phoenix denies having. Although Williams said she found it attractive, critics claimed that it appeared as if she was mocking him. After a ] petition in favor of firing her garnered over 70,000 signatures, Williams apologized on Twitter and her show donated to cleft palate charities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51133234|title=TV host Wendy Williams sorry for mocking Joaquin Phoenix's lip birthmark|publisher=]|date=January 16, 2020|access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/more-than-000-sign-petition-fire-wendy-williams-for-mocking-joaquin-phoenix-lip/9peNzxA4GqUw1rSI1hu2uL/|title=More than 70,000 sign petition to fire Wendy Williams for mocking Joaquin Phoenix's lip|last=Toone|first=Stephanie|newspaper=]|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311202745/https://www.ajc.com/news/more-than-000-sign-petition-fire-wendy-williams-for-mocking-joaquin-phoenix-lip/9peNzxA4GqUw1rSI1hu2uL/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Williams was criticized for making ] comments. While talking about the fictional holiday "Galentine's Day", she criticized gay men for wearing skirts and high heels and falsely assumed they aspire to be women. Williams later apologized for her remarks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-02-14/wendy-williams-apology-lgbtq-comments-show|url-access=limited|title=Wendy Williams "deeply" apologizes for anti-gay comments|last=Carras|first=Christi|magazine=]|date=February 14, 2020|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311202305/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-02-14/wendy-williams-apology-lgbtq-comments-show|url-status=live}}</ref> While talking about the murder of ] shortly thereafter, Williams made a joke referring to Harwick's ex-fiancé ] and his job on '']'', saying that show's catchphrase, "Come on down!", in response to news that Harwick was thrown to her death.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/wendy-williams-joke-amie-harwick-death-drew-carey-price-is-right-a9341701.html|title=Wendy Williams under fire for insensitive joke about Amie Harwick death|last=Lord|first=Annie|newspaper=]|date=February 18, 2020|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311202305/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/wendy-williams-joke-amie-harwick-death-drew-carey-price-is-right-a9341701.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Williams hosted her show remotely from March to May 2020 due to the ], after which she took a hiatus due to fatigue caused by Graves' disease. She returned to a studio broadcast in September of that year.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wendy-williams-season-12-return-coronavirus-studio-audience-1234712595/|title=''Wendy Williams Show'' goes on hiatus until the new year|last=Schneider|first=Michael|magazine=]|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818082423/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wendy-williams-season-12-return-coronavirus-studio-audience-1234712595/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, Williams competed in ] of '']'' as "Lips" where she was mostly sitting on something due to the weight of the costume and was eliminated after her first appearance.<ref name="Masked Singer">{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-4-episode-5-recap-lips-wendy-williams-1234818431/|title=''The Masked Singer'' reveals the identity of the Lips: Here's the star under the mask|last=Schneider|first=Michael|magazine=]|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=October 16, 2023|archive-date=October 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031224600/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-4-episode-5-recap-lips-wendy-williams-1234818431/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2021, Williams received criticism for her tone while covering the murder of 19-year-old ] star Swavy. After comparing their social media followers, Williams stated "I have no idea who this is" and casually informed her studio audience of his death.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chilton|first=Louis|date=July 9, 2021|title=Wendy Williams criticised for bizarre segment about slain TikTok star Swavy|work=]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/swavy-wendy-williams-show-tiktok-b1881257.html|access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ellefson|first=Lindsey|date=July 9, 2021|title=Wendy Williams sparks backlash for awkward segment on TikTok star Swavy's death|work=]|url=https://www.thewrap.com/wendy-williams-swavy-tiktok/|access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> Williams did not return to her show after that month due to health issues; guests hosted in her absence.<ref name="Porter">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-williams-show-ending-sherri-shepherd-1235089843/|title=''Wendy Williams Show'' Ending; Sherri Shepherd to Take Over Daytime Slot|last=Porter|first=Rick|magazine=]|date=February 22, 2022|access-date=October 16, 2023|archive-date=February 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224203658/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-williams-show-ending-sherri-shepherd-1235089843/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Elber">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-entertainment-wendy-williams-sherri-shepherd-4490dfffe6ecf4ecbc5b35368375ef5e|title=''Wendy Williams Show'' ending, new Sherri Shepherd show ahead|last=Elber|first=Lynn|work=]|date=February 22, 2022}}</ref> She tested positive for a ] of COVID-19 in September 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/entertainment/wendy-williams-covid-positive/index.html/|title=Wendy Williams tests positive for Covid-19|publisher=]|last=Respers France|first=Lisa|date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014184723/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/entertainment/wendy-williams-covid-positive/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

]
Production of ''The Wendy Williams Show'' concluded in 2022 due to Williams's ongoing health issues.<ref name="Elber"/>


==Other ventures== ==Other ventures==
===Books=== ===Authorship===
Williams is the author of three ] books. She released an ] co-written with ] journalist ] in August 2003 titled ''Wendy's Got the Heat''. Rather than discussing celebrities—Williams' original motive for writing a book—it focuses on her life, including childhood troubles, drug addiction, and marriages.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turning the air waves into shock waves |last=John-Hall |first=Annette |work=] |date=August 12, 2003 |page=C1 |id={{ProQuest|1899081052}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Making 'waves: Wendy Williams speaks her mind—on the airwaves and off |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |work=] |date=August 10, 2003 |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|437593001}}}}</ref> Published by ], it debuted at number nine on ] for nonfiction,<ref>{{cite news |title=Best sellers |work=] |date=August 24, 2003 |page=A18 |id={{ProQuest|92390158}}}}</ref> and number one on '']''{{'}}s ] nonfiction ]s list, which is based on sales at African-American bookstores.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best-sellers |last=Boler |first=Raquel |magazine=] |date=December 2003 |volume=34 |issue=8 |page=154 |id={{ProQuest|223162824}}}}</ref> Citing the challenges she faces and the risks she describes taking, '']''{{'}}s Kecia Palmer-Cousins thought it was more sincere than a typical autobiography<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Wendy's Got the Heat''! Wendy Williams |last=Palmer-Cousins |first=Kecia |magazine=] |date=October 31, 2003 |volume=10 |issue=5 |page=25 |id={{ProQuest|219952370}}}}</ref> and Kym Allison Backer of '']'' felt it humanizes Williams.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Wendy's Got the Heat'' |last=Backer |first=Kym Allison |magazine=] |date=September–October 2003 |volume=5 |issue=5 |page=55 |id={{ProQuest|217752991}}}}</ref> In the '']'', Renee Minus White appreciated that Williams "is as personal about her own dramatic and often complicated life as she asks her guests to be".<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams tells all |last=White |first=Renee Minus |work=] |date=January 28, 2004 |page=13 |id={{ProQuest|390430595}}}}</ref> The book was ]ed in ] in August 2004,<ref>{{cite news |title=Turning the air waves into shock waves |last=Thompson |first=Ericka P. |work=] |date=August 20, 2004 |page=C3 |id={{ProQuest|367505761}}}}</ref> a month before the debut of Williams' second book, ''The Wendy Williams Experience'', which contains celebrity gossip and interviews.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=September 12, 2004 |title=Dishin' the dirt: Radio diva turns up the heat with latest book |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463321/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E1 |via=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to Wendy's world; Diva of dish delivers a saucy new book |last=Charleston |first=Rita |work=] |date=September 10, 2004 |page=1D |id={{ProQuest|337788560}}}}</ref> In May 2013, Williams released ''Ask Wendy''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marr |first=Madeleine |date=May 18, 2013 |title=Don't be shy, ask Wendy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74464758/the-miami-herald/ |work=] |page=8A |via=]}}</ref> Williams is the author of three non-fiction books. She released an autobiography co-written with ] journalist ] in August 2003 titled '']''. It focuses on her life, including childhood troubles, drug addiction, and marriages.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turning the air waves into shock waves |last=John-Hall |first=Annette |work=] |date=August 12, 2003 |page=C1 |id={{ProQuest|1899081052}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Making 'waves: Wendy Williams speaks her mind—on the airwaves and off |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |work=] |date=August 10, 2003 |page=1 |id={{ProQuest|437593001}}}}</ref> Published by ], it debuted at number nine on ] for nonfiction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Best sellers |work=] |date=August 24, 2003 |page=A18 |id={{ProQuest|92390158}}}}</ref> The autobiography was ]ed in paperback in August 2004,<ref>{{cite news |title=Turning the air waves into shock waves |last=Thompson |first=Ericka P. |work=] |date=August 20, 2004 |page=C3 |id={{ProQuest|367505761}}}}</ref> a month before the debut of Williams' second book, ''The Wendy Williams Experience'', which contains celebrity gossip and interviews.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=September 12, 2004 |title=Dishin' the dirt: Radio diva turns up the heat with latest book |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463321/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E1 |via=] |access-date=March 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013102/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463321/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to Wendy's world; Diva of dish delivers a saucy new book |last=Charleston |first=Rita |work=] |date=September 10, 2004 |page=1D |id={{ProQuest|337788560}}}}</ref> In May 2013, Williams released an advice book, ''Ask Wendy''.<ref name="Marr">{{cite news |last=Marr |first=Madeleine |date=May 18, 2013 |title=Don't be shy, ask Wendy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74464758/the-miami-herald/ |work=] |page=8A |via=]}}</ref> Over the years, Williams wrote ] for ''Honey'' and '']'' magazines.<ref name="Marr"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=July 6, 2003 |title=Radio personality on TV special |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96588660/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E7 |via=] |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227230402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96588660/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Williams has also published several ] books, including a ] about the life and career of radio shock jock Ritz Harper. She co-authored the first two novels, ''Drama Is Her Middle Name'' (2006) and ''Is the Bitch Dead, or What?'' (2007), with Hunter.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First fiction |magazine=] |date=March 1, 2006 |volume=131 |issue=4 |pages=S5–S8 |id={{ProQuest|196899094}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=To be continued... |magazine=] |date=January 2007 |volume=37 |issue=9 |pages=66 |id={{ProQuest|223149661}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New releases |work=] |place=Cleveland |date=February 15, 2007 |page=5D |id={{ProQuest|238493607}}}}</ref> Zondra Hughes co-wrote the third installment ''Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!'' (2009).<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Frazier |date=July 17, 2009 |title=Wendy Williams talking big |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74508023/the-desert-sun/ |work=] |page=E1 |via=]}}</ref><ref name="Booker 2009">{{cite news |title=Radio's "big mouth" Wendy Williams expands her brand |last=Booker |first=Bobbi |work=] |date=June 5, 2009 |pages=1D–2D |id={{ProQuest|337873850}}}}</ref> Media outlets considered Ritz Harper similar to Williams. "Determining what is real versus what is fiction" made the character intriguing, according to the '']''{{'}}s Ava Gacser.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gacser |first=Ava |date=June 23, 2006 |title=See |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74513736/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/ |work=] |department=Pulse |page=3 |via=]}}</ref> Writing for the '']'', Carole Goldberg labelled the series ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Carole |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Shock jock becomes author |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74513850/hartford-courant/ |work=] |department=Stepping Out |page=30 |via=]}}</ref> In 2014, Williams released a ], ''Hold Me in Contempt''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Columbus |first=Gina |date=May 24, 2014 |title=Love story |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74515059/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |department=Indulge |page=D2 |via=]}}</ref> She said it was co-authored with an English professor ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |date=December 13, 2014 |title=Q&A: Wendy Williams dishes with a full plate |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-wendy-williams-show-conversation-20141214-story.html |url-access=limited |work=] |department=Sunday Conversation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204225946/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-wendy-williams-show-conversation-20141214-story.html |archive-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref> Williams has also written several fiction books, including a trilogy about the life and career of radio shock jock Ritz Harper. She co-authored the first two novels, ''Drama Is Her Middle Name'' (2006) and ''Is the Bitch Dead, or What?'' (2007), with Hunter.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First fiction |magazine=] |date=March 1, 2006 |volume=131 |issue=4 |pages=S5–S8 |id={{ProQuest|196899094}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=To be continued... |magazine=] |date=January 2007 |volume=37 |issue=9 |page=66 |id={{ProQuest|223149661}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New releases |work=] |place=Cleveland |date=February 15, 2007 |page=5D |id={{ProQuest|238493607}}}}</ref> Zondra Hughes co-wrote the third installment ''Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!'' (2009).<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Frazier |date=July 17, 2009 |title=Wendy Williams talking big |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74508023/the-desert-sun/ |work=] |page=E1 |via=] |access-date=March 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013102/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74508023/the-desert-sun/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Booker 2009">{{cite news |title=Radio's "big mouth" Wendy Williams expands her brand |last=Booker |first=Bobbi |work=] |date=June 5, 2009 |pages=1D–2D |id={{ProQuest|337873850}}}}</ref> Media outlets considered Ritz Harper similar to Williams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gacser |first=Ava |date=June 23, 2006 |title=See |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74513736/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/ |work=] |department=Pulse |page=3 |via=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Carole |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Shock jock becomes author |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74513850/hartford-courant/ |work=] |department=Stepping Out |page=30 |via=] |access-date=March 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013104/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74513850/hartford-courant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Williams released a romance novel, ''Hold Me in Contempt''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Columbus |first=Gina |date=May 24, 2014 |title=Love story |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74515059/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |department=Indulge |page=D2 |via=]}}</ref> She said it was co-authored with an English professor ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |date=December 13, 2014 |title=Q&A: Wendy Williams dishes with a full plate |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-wendy-williams-show-conversation-20141214-story.html |url-access=limited |work=] |department=Sunday Conversation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204225946/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-wendy-williams-show-conversation-20141214-story.html |archive-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref>


===Music and comedy === ===Music and comedy ===
Williams interviewed ] in 2003; the conversation was released as a ] on the singer's album '']''.<ref name="CBB"/> Williams and ] released a ], ''Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1'', in June 2005 featuring various ] acts, including ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Williams compiles fave acts |last=Jones |first=Ivory M. |department=Beats & Rhymes |magazine=] |date=June 18, 2005 |volume=117 |issue=25 |page=69 |id={{ProQuest|227233030}}}}</ref> It sold 29,000 copies by November of that year according to ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Midas Touch |last=Jones |first=Ivory M. |magazine=] |date=November 5, 2005 |volume=117 |issue=45 |pages=32–33 |id={{ProQuest|227223964}}}}</ref> Williams interviewed ] in 2003; the conversation was released as a DVD on the singer's album '']''.<ref name="CBB"/> Williams and ] released a ], ''Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1'', in June 2005 featuring various ] acts, including ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Williams compiles fave acts |last=Jones |first=Ivory M. |department=Beats & Rhymes |magazine=] |date=June 18, 2005 |volume=117 |issue=25 |page=69 |id={{ProQuest|227233030}}}}</ref> It sold 29,000 copies by November of that year according to ].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Midas Touch |last=Jones |first=Ivory M. |magazine=] |date=November 5, 2005 |volume=117 |issue=45 |pages=32–33 |id={{ProQuest|227223964}}}}</ref>


In 2014, Lipshtick called Williams to participate in their first all-female-based comedy series at the ] in ]. Williams made her sold-out comedy debut on July 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Kicks Off 'Lipshtick – The Perfect Shade of Stand-Up' at The Venetian Las Vegas |date=July 14, 2014 |url=http://www.vegasnews.com/117845/wendy-williams-kicks-off-lipshtick-the-perfect-shade-of-stand-up-at-the-venetian-las-vegas.html |publisher=VegasNews.com |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Williams' comedy tour was called "The Sit-down Comedy Tour." Williams returned to Lipshtick on October 31, 2014, and November 1, 2014, after she made a sold-out debut in July.<ref name="broadwayworld.com">{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Returns to LA in LIPSHTICK – THE PERFECT SHADE OF STAND UP on 10/31011/1 |date=August 19, 2014 |publisher=BWW Comedy |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwcomedy/article/Wendy-Williams-Returns-to-LA-in-LIPSHTICK-THE-PERFECT-SHADE-OF-STAND-UP-on-10310111-20140819 |access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> Williams hosted her "How You Laughin'" Comedy Series at NJPAC on November 15, 2014, featuring Luenell, Jonathan Martin, Pat Brown, Hadiyah Robinson, and Meme Simpson.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103010320/http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wendy-williams-presents-how-you-laughin |date=November 3, 2014 }}</ref> In 2015, Williams announced a 12-city comedy tour called "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livenation.com/events/474918-aug-22-2015-the-wendy-williams-sit-down-tour-too-real-for-stand-up|title=The Wendy Williams "Sit Down Tour...Too Real For Stand Up|website=]|date=August 22, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> In 2014, Lipshtick called Williams to participate in their first all-female-based comedy series at the ] in ]. Williams made her sold-out comedy debut on July 11, 2014.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Kicks Off 'Lipshtick – The Perfect Shade of Stand-Up' at The Venetian Las Vegas |date=July 14, 2014 |url=http://www.vegasnews.com/117845/wendy-williams-kicks-off-lipshtick-the-perfect-shade-of-stand-up-at-the-venetian-las-vegas.html |publisher=VegasNews.com |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220223701/http://www.vegasnews.com/117845/wendy-williams-kicks-off-lipshtick-the-perfect-shade-of-stand-up-at-the-venetian-las-vegas.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Williams' comedy tour was called "The Sit-down Comedy Tour". Williams returned to Lipshtick on October 31, 2014, and November 1, 2014, after she made a sold-out debut in July.<ref name="broadwayworld.com">{{cite news |title=Wendy Williams Returns to LA in LIPSHTICK – THE PERFECT SHADE OF STAND UP on 10/31011/1 |date=August 19, 2014 |publisher=BWW Comedy |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwcomedy/article/Wendy-Williams-Returns-to-LA-in-LIPSHTICK-THE-PERFECT-SHADE-OF-STAND-UP-on-10310111-20140819 |access-date=April 14, 2015 |archive-date=November 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102101150/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwcomedy/article/Wendy-Williams-Returns-to-LA-in-LIPSHTICK-THE-PERFECT-SHADE-OF-STAND-UP-on-10310111-20140819 |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams hosted her "How You Laughin'" Comedy Series at NJPAC on November 15, 2014, featuring Luenell, Jonathan Martin, Pat Brown, Hadiyah Robinson, and Meme Simpson.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103010320/http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/wendy-williams-presents-how-you-laughin|date=November 3, 2014}}</ref> In 2015, Williams announced a 12-city comedy tour called "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livenation.com/events/474918-aug-22-2015-the-wendy-williams-sit-down-tour-too-real-for-stand-up|title=The Wendy Williams "Sit Down Tour...Too Real For Stand Up|website=]|date=August 22, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215005401/http://www.livenation.com/events/474918-aug-22-2015-the-wendy-williams-sit-down-tour-too-real-for-stand-up|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Philanthropy and activism===
In 2005, Williams funded a $1,000 scholarship for a black female high school student who sought to ] in communications at college.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Alesha |date=April 6, 2005 |title=Drifters chapter celebrates 30 years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96586832/asbury-park-press/ |department=Plus Fifty |work=] |page=14 |via=]}}</ref> Subsequent recipients in 2006 and 2007 also received internships at ].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 9, 2006 |title=Radio host heading home for scholarship luncheon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75718813/asbury-park-press/ |department=Coastal Monmouth Reporter |work=] |page=10 |via=] |access-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305212326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75718813/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kapadia |first=Priyanka |date=March 9, 2007 |title=Drifters to hold annual luncheon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96991127/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=F8 |via=] |access-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305212326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96991127/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She led an effort to donate money and school supplies to ] Middle School in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Karyn D. |date=February 14, 2010 |title=Red-hot Wendy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96990279/asbury-park-press/ |work=] |page=E2 |via=] |access-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305212328/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96990279/asbury-park-press/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams is ] for abortion.<ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 104</ref>

Following the aftermath of ] in 2012, Williams visited her hometown of ] and paid for the hot meals of 300 people, face painting, and balloon animals for children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Sandy's wake, Asbury native Wendy Williams visits city |url=https://asburyparksun.com/in-sandys-wake-asbury-native-wendy-williams-visits-city/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=asburyparksun.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428184540/https://asburyparksun.com/in-sandys-wake-asbury-native-wendy-williams-visits-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She supported ] in ],<ref name="Guthrie" /> and promoted an ] voter helpline.<ref>{{cite book |last=di Leonardo |first=Micaela |title=Black Radio/Black Resistance: The Life & Times of the Tom Joyner Morning Show |publisher=] |year=2019 |isbn=978-0-19-087021-8 |location=New York |page=194}}</ref> Williams posed for ]'s "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign in 2012, stating "we should all try to be comfortable in our own skin and let the animals keep theirs."<ref>{{cite news |last=Oldenburg |first=Ann |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Wendy Williams goes naked for PETA |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/11/29/wendy-williams-goes-naked-for-peta/1735469/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227085809/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/11/29/wendy-williams-goes-naked-for-peta/1735469/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=March 17, 2021 |work=]}}</ref> Williams also headlined during ] ] that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Natalie Hope |date=2012-06-08 |title=A Chat With Wendy Williams |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2012/06/08/wendy-williams/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428003641/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2012/06/08/wendy-williams/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, she participated in ] fashion show to raise awareness for women's breast cancer.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 7, 2013 |title=The Heart Truth 2013 Fashion Show |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-heart-truth-2013-fashion-show/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |publisher=] |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104221134/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-heart-truth-2013-fashion-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=February 1, 2013 |title=NIH urges women to protect their heart health and to encourage others to do the same |url=https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-urges-women-protect-their-heart-health-encourage-others-do-same |publisher=] |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031222955/https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-urges-women-protect-their-heart-health-encourage-others-do-same |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams supported the ] of the ] from the ].<ref name="Armonaitis" /> In 2018, she promoted Be Here (behere.org) while on a 10-city tour with goal to raise $10 million in 5 years for drug and substance abuse victims.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Chuck |title=Society Confidential: Quality time with Wendy Williams |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/chuck-bennett/2018/08/24/society-confidential-chuck-bennett-wendy-williams-detroit/1073703002/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428184539/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/chuck-bennett/2018/08/24/society-confidential-chuck-bennett-wendy-williams-detroit/1073703002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wendy Williams on Overcoming Her Cocaine Addiction: 'It's a Miracle I Was Able to Stop' |url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-on-overcoming-cocaine-addiction/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> Williams attended ] ] in June 2019 with ], and rode on a float in July at the ] parade in ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=2019-07-01 |title=Cast From 'Pose', 'The L Word: Generation Q' And More Let Their Rainbow Flags Fly At WorldPride In New York |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/pose-the-l-word-generation-q-cast-worldpride-new-york-pride-1202640222/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428003638/https://deadline.com/2019/06/pose-the-l-word-generation-q-cast-worldpride-new-york-pride-1202640222/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=Wendy Williams dishes about her new love |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2019/07/08/wendy-williams-dishes-about-her-new-love/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wendy Williams Hangs Out with 'Little Sister' Blac Chyna After Spending Time with Kim Kardashian |url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-blac-chyna-after-spending-time-with-kim-kardashian/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428003638/https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-blac-chyna-after-spending-time-with-kim-kardashian/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September, Williams became an ambassador and honorary board member of the ] Education & Research Network.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=September 5, 2019 |title=Television Talk Show Host Wendy Williams joins LE&RN Honorary Board |url=https://lymphaticnetwork.org/news-events/wendy-williams-joins-honorary-board |publisher=Lymphatic Education & Research Network |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227213547/https://lymphaticnetwork.org/news-events/wendy-williams-joins-honorary-board |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== The Hunter Foundation ====
Williams and her ex-husband created The Hunter Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization that funded anti-poverty programs and provided resources to people as they transitioned from ] to recovery.<ref name="Corinthios">{{Cite magazine|last=Corinthios|first=Aurelie|title=Wendy Williams is dissolving her foundation for addicts with estranged husband Kevin Hunter|date=May 15, 2019|magazine=]|url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-dissolving-foundation-kevin-hunter/|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106033648/https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-dissolving-foundation-kevin-hunter/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mastroianni|first=Brian|title=Wendy Williams opens up about "the real Wendy," how she is giving back this holiday season|date=December 21, 2016|publisher=]|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wendy-williams-opens-up-about-the-real-wendy-how-she-is-giving-back-this-holiday-season/|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227221140/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wendy-williams-opens-up-about-the-real-wendy-how-she-is-giving-back-this-holiday-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the Holiday season in 2016, the couple hosted dinners for over 1000 for those in need through the foundation.<ref name=":2" /> In 2017 the organization donated $1000 for the opening of an emergency food pantry.<ref name=":3" /> In 2018, the organization paid for a student's college tuition. During March 2019, The Hunter Foundation launched a 24/7 national hotline 1-888-5HUNTER for those struggling with addiction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wendy Williams Launches Substance Abuse Hotline a Week After Returning to Show |url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-launches-substance-abuse-hotline/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409025709/https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-launches-substance-abuse-hotline/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Foundation was dissolved following Williams' divorce from Hunter in May 2019. Following the dissolution, Williams partnered with SNAX-Sational Brands and Operation Backpack with the objective to raise funds to provide backpacks filled with various school supplies for children in New York homeless and domestic violence shelters.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Corinthios" />


===Products and endorsements=== ===Products and endorsements===
While working for WRKS, Williams was a spokesperson for a hip-hop clothing brand.<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/> In 2006, she became a spokesperson for George Veselles champagne and ] liquers.<ref name="CBB"/> Williams posed for ]'s "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oldenburg |first=Ann |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Wendy Williams goes naked for PETA |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/11/29/wendy-williams-goes-naked-for-peta/1735469/ |url-status=live |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227085809/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/11/29/wendy-williams-goes-naked-for-peta/1735469/ |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> She debuted a jewelry and shoe line the same year on ] ] called "Adorn".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |title=How you doin? Wendy Williams wins with frank talk talk (and wigs!) |last=Guthrie |first=Marisa |magazine=] |date=May 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125003208/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/wendy-williams-qvc-tk |title=Wendy Williams keeps it refreshingly real about her QVC line |last=Lomrantz Lester |first=Tracey |magazine=] |date=May 3, 2012 |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320115852/https://www.glamour.com/story/wendy-williams-qvc-tk |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> The shoe manufacturer's lawyer alleged she never paid the production cost.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-11-26/news/35370804_1_wendy-williams-shoes-hong-kong |title=Wendy Williams' failure to pay $400K reason for kidnapping |work=] |first=Barbara |last=Ross |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=December 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320121740/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/shoemaker-wendy-williams-failure-pay-400k-reason-kidnapping-article-1.1208477 |archive-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> In 2013, Williams released a wig collection to online retailers.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/wendy-williams-to-launch-wig-collection-7073634/ |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams to launch wig collection |last=Prior |first=Molly |magazine=] |date=August 1, 2013 |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524052700/https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/wendy-williams-to-launch-wig-collection-7073634/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> She sold a self-titled clothing line in 2015 on shopping channel ] and continued the partnership the following year by releasing shoe and ] collections.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/inside-wendy-williams-glam-suite-10-things-dont/story?id=33811474 |title=Inside Wendy Williams' glam suite: 10 things you don't know about her |last=Sawyer |first=Nicole |publisher=] |date=September 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115140721/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/inside-wendy-williams-glam-suite-10-things-dont/story?id=33811474 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://footwearnews.com/2016/focus/celebrity-style/wendy-williams-shoe-collection-fall-2016-hsn-243734/ |title=Wendy Williams to launch shoe collection for fall '16 on HSN |last=Schneider-Levy |first=Barbara |magazine=] |date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027031324/https://footwearnews.com/2016/focus/celebrity-style/wendy-williams-shoe-collection-fall-2016-hsn-243734/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/wendy-williams-returns-to-hsn-with-new-holiday-collection-10721589/ |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams returns to HSN with new holiday collection |last=Lockwood |first=Lisa |magazine=] |date=December 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117192718/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/wendy-williams-returns-to-hsn-with-new-holiday-collection-10721589/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> While working for WRKS, Williams was a spokesperson for a hip-hop clothing brand.<ref name="Hunter-Hodge 1993"/> In 2006, she became a spokesperson for George Veselles champagne and ] liqueurs.<ref name="CBB"/> Williams debuted a jewelry and shoe line on ] ] called "Adorn" in 2012.<ref name="Guthrie">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |title=How you doin? Wendy Williams wins with frank talk (and wigs!) |last=Guthrie |first=Marisa |magazine=] |date=May 15, 2012 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125003208/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/wendy-williams-qvc-tk |title=Wendy Williams keeps it refreshingly real about her QVC line |last=Lomrantz Lester |first=Tracey |magazine=] |date=May 3, 2012 |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320115852/https://www.glamour.com/story/wendy-williams-qvc-tk |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> Williams' started a "Save the ]" campaign amidst the parent company's filing for ], setting up a ] and promoting the snack on ].<ref name=":4" /> The shoe manufacturer's lawyer alleged she never paid the production cost.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-11-26/news/35370804_1_wendy-williams-shoes-hong-kong |title=Wendy Williams' failure to pay $400K reason for kidnapping |work=] |first=Barbara |last=Ross |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=December 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320121740/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/shoemaker-wendy-williams-failure-pay-400k-reason-kidnapping-article-1.1208477 |archive-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> In 2013, Williams released a wig collection to online retailers.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/wendy-williams-to-launch-wig-collection-7073634/ |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams to launch wig collection |last=Prior |first=Molly |magazine=] |date=August 1, 2013 |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524052700/https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/wendy-williams-to-launch-wig-collection-7073634/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> She sold a self-titled clothing line in 2015 on shopping channel ] and continued the partnership the following year by releasing shoe and ] collections.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/inside-wendy-williams-glam-suite-10-things-dont/story?id=33811474 |title=Inside Wendy Williams' glam suite: 10 things you don't know about her |last=Sawyer |first=Nicole |publisher=] |date=September 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115140721/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/inside-wendy-williams-glam-suite-10-things-dont/story?id=33811474 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://footwearnews.com/2016/focus/celebrity-style/wendy-williams-shoe-collection-fall-2016-hsn-243734/ |title=Wendy Williams to launch shoe collection for fall '16 on HSN |last=Schneider-Levy |first=Barbara |magazine=] |date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027031324/https://footwearnews.com/2016/focus/celebrity-style/wendy-williams-shoe-collection-fall-2016-hsn-243734/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/wendy-williams-returns-to-hsn-with-new-holiday-collection-10721589/ |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams returns to HSN with new holiday collection |last=Lockwood |first=Lisa |magazine=] |date=December 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117192718/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/wendy-williams-returns-to-hsn-with-new-holiday-collection-10721589/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>


==Public image== ==Personal life==
In 1994, Williams married her first husband, Bertrand "Bert" Girigorie.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Wendy Williams: The Movie''. Lifetime biopic covers rape, cocaine, miscarriages, infidelity and N.J. star's rise |last=Kuperinsky|first=Amy|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/01/wendy-williams-the-movie-lifetime-biopic-covers-rape-cocaine-miscarriages-infidelity-and-nj-stars-rise.html|url-access=subscription|date=January 30, 2021|publisher=]|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302024603/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/01/wendy-williams-the-movie-lifetime-biopic-covers-rape-cocaine-miscarriages-infidelity-and-nj-stars-rise.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 1992 |title=Williams–Girigorie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97008590/marriage-of-williams-girigorie/ |work=] |page=G31 |via=] |access-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029205259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97008590/marriage-of-williams-girigorie/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 113</ref> She said they separated after five months and divorced about eighteen months later.<ref>Williams and Hunter, pp. 109, 125</ref> Williams met her second husband, Kevin Hunter, in 1994,<ref name="Schulman"/> and married him on November 30, 1999.{{efn-la|name="Marriage"|Sources differ regarding the year of Williams' marriage to Hunter. While some publications give 1997,<ref name="Who's Who"/><ref name="Newsmakers">{{cite book |last=Brennan |first=Carol |editor-last=Avery |editor-first=Laura |year=2015 |title=Newsmakers |location=Farmington Hills, Michigan |publisher=] |pages=472–475 |isbn=978-1-4144-9779-2 |oclc=903054736 |id={{Gale|K1618006197}}}}</ref> her divorce filing lists 1999.<ref name="Griffith 2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-kevin-hunter-n993576 |title=Wendy Williams files for divorce from husband, Kevin Hunter |last=Griffith |first=Janelle |publisher=] |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205002926/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-kevin-hunter-n993576 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Butler 2019">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/11/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-more-than-years/ |url-access=subscription |title=Wendy Williams files for divorce from husband of 20 years |last=Butler |first=Bethonie |newspaper=] |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210412025800/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/11/wendy-williams-files-divorce-husband-more-than-years/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Her husband became her agent.<ref name="Fishman"/> She suffered multiple miscarriages before giving birth to their son in August 2000.<ref name="Strauss"/> In April 2019, Williams filed for divorce due to ]<ref name="Griffith 2019" /><ref name="Butler 2019" /> after Hunter fathered a baby with a mistress.<ref name="Schulman" /> Although the divorce was finalized in January 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wendy Williams' divorce from Kevin Hunter is finalized|url=https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/television/2020/01/29/wendy-williams-divorce-kevin-hunter-finalized/4595917002/|url-access=limited|date=January 29, 2020|work=]|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210318030806/https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/television/2020/01/29/wendy-williams-divorce-kevin-hunter-finalized/4595917002/|url-status=live|access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> her legal surname remains Hunter.<ref name="Maas">{{Cite magazine|title=Wendy Williams Denies Mental Health Allegations After Wells Fargo Freezes Her Bank Accounts|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/wendy-williams-denies-mental-health-allegations-wells-fargo-accounts-1235181112/|last=Maas|first=Jennifer|date=February 14, 2022|website=]|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227213101/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/wendy-williams-denies-mental-health-allegations-wells-fargo-accounts-1235181112/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Health===
Williams has had ] since 1994 and has been open about having a ] procedure.<ref name="Wood 2009">{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Gaby |author-link=Gaby Wood |date=June 7, 2009 |title="Queen of all media" |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/07/wendy-williams-oprah-chat-show |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025021/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/07/wendy-williams-oprah-chat-show |archive-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> Williams wears ] because her natural hair is thin due to her ] and ].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US0YmxBAmfc|title=Wendy Williams Reveals Why She Wears Wigs: 'People Think It's A Vanity Thing' &#124; PEN &#124; People|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref name="Wendy Williams" /> As the conditions increase pressure behind her eye muscles, they sometimes have a pronounced appearance.<ref name="auto1"/> Until 2018, Williams wore high heels on air very frequently; she had to discontinue due to her ] condition and ] caused by her other two health conditions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/wendy-williams-stopped-heels-graves-disease/|title=Wendy Williams Stopped Wearing Heels Because of Graves' Disease|first=Christina|last=Santi|date=June 29, 2018|website=EBONY}}</ref> Williams has been open on her show about her past with substance abuse, particularly with ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wendy Williams Says She's 'Living Proof' That 'There Is Hope' for Addicts and Substance Abusers|url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-psa-addiction-substance-abuse/|last=Stone|first=Natalie|date=April 5, 2019|website=People|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> In March 2019, Williams revealed on an episode of her show that she had been living in a ] for several months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/19/wendy-williams-reveals-shes-been-staying-sober-living-house/|title=Wendy Williams reveals she's been staying in a sober-living house|last=Butler|first=Bethonie|date=March 19, 2019|work=]|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Williams also announced she had been diagnosed with ], a non-fatal condition that causes swelling of the lower extremities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/health/wendy-williams-reveals-she-s-been-diagnosed-lymphedema-t157896|title=Wendy Williams reveals she's been diagnosed with lymphedema|work=]|location =New York City|date=July 8, 2019|access-date=September 17, 2019|first=Gina|last=Vivinetto|archive-date=August 1, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801083325/https://www.today.com/health/wendy-williams-reveals-she-s-been-diagnosed-lymphedema-t157896|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 15, 2021, a message on her show's read: "While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production fully abides by SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, October 4th."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CT2SNvfpcN8/ |website=Instagram |quote=While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production fully abides by SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, October 4th}}</ref> However, the season was further delayed, and an Instagram message on October 13 said she was "experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease," and that the show would resume October 18 with guest hosts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=WendyShow |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CU73i0sJyOs/ |website=Instagram |language=English |date=October 13, 2021 |quote=She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves’ Disease and her thyroid condition.}}</ref> Four "hot topic panelists" filled in for the season premiere episode before actor ] took on guest host duties starting October 19, 2021. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Dory |title=Wendy Williams Show Taps Leah Remini to Guest Host Premiere Week amid Williams' Health Issues |url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-show-taps-leah-remini-guest-host-season-13-premiere-week/ |access-date=October 19, 2021 |work=People |publisher=Meredith |date=October 14, 2021}}</ref>
===Controversies and feuds===
Williams has repeatedly feuded with celebrities and faced criticism for her comments. She has been mailed bullets and dead fish.<ref name="Collins 1993"/><ref name="Wood 2009"/> Media outlets have described Williams' 2003 interview with ] as her most infamous. After Williams asked Houston about her marriage and breast implants, they began a ] and Houston said she would have fought Williams if she were younger.<ref name="Trebay 2009"/><ref name="Wood 2009"/><ref name="Strauss 2003"/> In a later interview with Williams, Houston's confidant ] said they planned to confront her years earlier after she talked about Houston on air.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bryant |first=Kenzie |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Wendy Williams did not amuse Whitney Houston |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/wendy-williams-whitney-houston-robyn-crawford |url-access=limited |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131063508/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/wendy-williams-whitney-houston-robyn-crawford |archive-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> ] performer ] had a personal and publicized conflict with Williams in 2006 after she revealed details about his wife's cancer diagnosis.<ref>{{cite news |last=Genegabus |first=Jason |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Tough Method Man hits back |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/09/15/features/story06.html |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915135215/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/09/15/features/story06.html |archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Morse |first=Russell |date=July 31, 2006 |title=Method Man puts on a happy face |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/method-man-puts-on-a-happy-face-82306/ |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401061722/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/method-man-puts-on-a-happy-face-82306/ |archive-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref>


===Health issues and guardianship===
In 2014, Williams and two others produced a ] on the early 2000s R&B artist ], entitled '']''. The biopic attracted much controversy as Aaliyah's family neither consented nor authorized the use of Aaliyah's image or her material for the biopic. The film also romanticized the ] relationship and subsequent ] of the young singer and ], who in 2019 was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, obstruction of justice, and 18 federal counts, including child pornography, kidnapping and forced labor, as of July 12, 2019. Critical reception to ''Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B'' was predominantly negative.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tigget|first1=Jai|title=Review: Five Things Missing from 'Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B'|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/review-five-things-missing-from-aaliyah-the-princess-of-r-b-20141114|publisher=IndieWire|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118052604/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/review-five-things-missing-from-aaliyah-the-princess-of-r-b-20141114|archive-date=November 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosa|first1=Christopher|title=Lifetime's Aaliyah Biopic: The Film That Should Never Have Been Made|url=http://www.vh1.com/celebrity/2014-11-15/aaliyah-lifetime-movie/|publisher=VH1|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref name=THR>{{cite web|last1=Keene|first1=Allison|title='Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B': TV Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/aaliyah-princess-r-b-tv-749086|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref name="TW review">{{cite web|last1=Madden Toby|first1=Mekeisha|title='Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B' Review: Lifetime Movie Fails to Rock the Boat|url=https://www.thewrap.com/aaliyah-the-princess-of-rb-review-lifetime-movie-fails-to-rock-the-boat/|publisher=The Wrap|access-date=November 17, 2014|date=November 15, 2014}}</ref>
Williams has been open about her ] addiction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, for which she never received treatment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/01/30/wendy-williams-lifetime-movie/|url-access=limited|title=Wendy Williams seems like the perfect Lifetime movie subject. So why is it so unsettling to watch?|last=Butler|first=Bethonie|date=January 30, 2021|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131093802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/01/30/wendy-williams-lifetime-movie/|archive-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Butler March 2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/19/wendy-williams-reveals-shes-been-staying-sober-living-house/|url-access=limited|title=Wendy Williams reveals she's been staying in a sober-living house|last=Butler|first=Bethonie|date=March 19, 2019|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206055042/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/19/wendy-williams-reveals-shes-been-staying-sober-living-house/|archive-date=February 6, 2021}}</ref>


In late October 2017, Williams fainted during a live broadcast of her show from ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/31/wendy-williams-fainted-on-live-tv-and-it-was-terrifying/|url-access=limited|title=Wendy Williams fainted on live TV, and it was terrifying|last=Yahr|first=Emily|date=October 31, 2017|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305064046/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/31/wendy-williams-fainted-on-live-tv-and-it-was-terrifying/|archive-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> Williams was often in the news for the next two years because of her health issues and relationship with Hunter.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/wendy-williams-walk-of-fame-interview-1203369596/|title=Wendy Williams on being "immortalized" with Walk of Fame honor|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|date=October 17, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311202305/https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/wendy-williams-walk-of-fame-interview-1203369596/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2018, Williams disclosed that she has ] which causes ],<ref name="Park 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wendy-williams-graves-disease-diagnosis-show-hiatus-three-weeks/|title=Wendy Williams reveals Graves' disease diagnosis, takes hiatus|last=Park|first=Andrea|date=February 22, 2018|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022083757/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wendy-williams-graves-disease-diagnosis-show-hiatus-three-weeks/|archive-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> conditions she had been diagnosed with nearly two decades prior.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-graves-disease-menopause/|title=Wendy Williams opens up about battling Graves' disease in the midst of menopause|last1=Rubenstein|first1=Janine|last2=Pasquini|first2=Maria|date=March 18, 2018|magazine=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029063402/https://people.com/tv/wendy-williams-graves-disease-menopause/|archive-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> Due to the increased pressure behind her eyes, they sometimes have a pronounced bulging appearance.<ref name="Park 2018"/> Williams wears ] in public because her thyroid condition thins her natural hair.<ref name="Schulman"/> She ] her shoulder in December 2018.<ref name="Butler March 2019"/> In March 2019, Williams said she had been living in a ] "for some time"<ref name="Butler March 2019"/> and that she has ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-william-returns-talk-show-shares-health-update-1192013/|title=Wendy Williams shares health update in TV return: "I feel good"|magazine=]|last=Eeal|first=Evan|date=March 4, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030183848/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-william-returns-talk-show-shares-health-update-1192013/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Williams revealed she had been diagnosed with ], a condition that causes swelling in her ankles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2019/07/08/wendy-williams-announces-lymphedema-diagnosis-new-boyfriend/1675059001/|title=Wendy Williams opens up about lymphedema diagnosis, new boyfriend|work=]|last=Trepany|first=Charles|date=July 8, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307021144/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2019/07/08/wendy-williams-announces-lymphedema-diagnosis-new-boyfriend/1675059001/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Williams referred to ]'s husband Kenneth Petty in 2019 as "a killer and a sex offender" (he was once imprisoned for attempted rape and manslaughter); the rapper responded by bringing up allegations of ] by Williams' own husband and said "I didn't know that in our society, you have to be plagued by your past."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Nicki Minaj unleashes scathing clap back at Wendy Williams during ''Queen Radio'', calls host "demonic" & "vicious" |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8542140/nicki-minaj-clap-back-wendy-williams-queen-radio |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205142603/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8542140/nicki-minaj-clap-back-wendy-williams-queen-radio |archive-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Adam |date=November 3, 2019 |title=Nicki Minaj attacks "demonic" Wendy Williams after she discusses her husband's past |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/nicki-minaj-wendy-williams-kenneth-petty-husband-queen-radio-a9182941.html |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126235036/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/nicki-minaj-wendy-williams-kenneth-petty-husband-queen-radio-a9182941.html |archive-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref>


Williams's bank, ], froze her accounts in January 2022 and requested a ] hearing to determine whether she was in need of a ] due to her health conditions.<ref name="Maas"/> She disputed the allegations and accused her former manager and a Wells Fargo financial advisor of impropriety. A judge appointed a temporary financial guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, in March, and they were confirmed in May.<ref name="Cho">{{Cite magazine |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Wendy Williams Placed Under Financial Guardianship, TV Host Claims Misconduct by Wells Fargo|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wendy-williams-guardianship-wells-fargo-1235151417/|access-date=February 25, 2024|magazine=]}}</ref> Williams entered a wellness facility to treat her health issues. She returned to public activity in November and prepared to launch a podcast, though she did not end up releasing it.<ref name="Del Rosario">{{Cite news |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=November 23, 2022 |title=How's Wendy Williams Doin'? She Says She's Booked, Busy and a Soon-to-Be Doctor |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-11-23/wendy-williams-first-public-appearance-health-issues-love-new-podcast |access-date=February 25, 2024 |newspaper=] |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225002449/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-11-23/wendy-williams-first-public-appearance-health-issues-love-new-podcast |url-status=live }}</ref>
Williams was accused of ] singer ] in 2016 after questioning why she did not film ] by record producer ] against her.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jefferson |first=J'Na |date=February 23, 2016 |title=According to Wendy Williams, Kesha should have recorded Dr. Luke's alleged abuse |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/wendy-williams-kesha-case-comments-406851/ |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402031718/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/wendy-williams-kesha-case-comments-406851/ |archive-date=April 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Saul |first=Heather |date=February 24, 2016 |title=Wendy Williams asks why Kesha didn't record her alleged abuse |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kesha-wendy-williams-dr-luke-alleged-abuse-film-a6892796.html |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103955/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/kesha-wendy-williams-dr-luke-alleged-abuse-film-a6892796.html |archive-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> Williams later apologized for the remarks and explained "unfortunately a lot of people lie about rape so I was just being skeptical".<ref>{{cite web |last=Verhoeven |first=Beatrice |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Wendy Williams apologizes to Kesha for "being Skeptical" of rape claims against Dr. Luke |url=https://www.thewrap.com/kesha-dr-luke-rape-wendy-williams-apology-for-being-skeptical-of-sexual-assault-sony-music/ |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124050/https://www.thewrap.com/kesha-dr-luke-rape-wendy-williams-apology-for-being-skeptical-of-sexual-assault-sony-music/ |archive-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> In early 2020, Williams was criticized over several remarks she made on her show. In January, while talking about actor ], Williams used her finger to pull up a part of her lip to resemble a ] (a condition which Phoenix has denied having),<ref name="VanityFair2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/10/joaquin-phoenix-cover-story|title=Cover Story: Joaquin Phoenix on Joker, Rooney, and River|first=Joe|last=Hagan|website=Vanity Fair}}</ref> which many took to believe she was mocking him. Williams apologized on her show.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bet.com/celebrities/news/2020/01/18/wendy-williams-apologizes-after-outrage-over-mocking-joaquin-pho.html | title=Wendy Williams Apologizes After Outrage over Mocking Joaquin Phoenix's Cleft Lip}}</ref> In February, Williams was criticized again for making comments many regarded as ] while talking about the fictional holiday "Galentine's Day"; she again apologized, this time in an emotional video posted to her official social channels online.<ref name="etonline.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/wendy-williams-faces-backlash-for-comments-about-gay-men-141536|title=Wendy Williams Faces Backlash for Comments About Gay Men|website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref><ref name="lgbtqnation.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/02/wendy-williams-apologizes-anti-lgbtq-comments-bizarre-tearful-video/|title=Wendy Williams apologizes for anti-LGBTQ comments in bizarre, tearful video|first=Alex|last=Bollinger|date=February 14, 2020|website=LGBTQ Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1123262/wendy-williams-apologizes-for-saying-gay-men-should-stop-wearing-our-skirts-and-our-heels | title=Wendy Williams Apologizes for Saying Gay Men Can't Wear Skirts & Heels| date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, while talking about the death of ], Williams made a joke referring to Harwick's ex-fiancé ] and his job on '']'', saying that show's catchphrase, "Come on down!", in response to the news that Harwick had been thrown off a balcony.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.insideedition.com/wendy-williams-slammed-over-come-on-down-quip-made-about-death-of-celeb-sex-therapist-amie-harwick |title = Wendy Williams Slammed over 'Come on Down' Quip Made About Death of Celeb Sex Therapist Amie Harwick|date = February 18, 2020}}</ref>


According to her representatives, Williams was diagnosed with ] and ] in 2023 and entered a cognitive facility. A documentary chronicling Williams's life since 2022, '']'', aired on ] in February 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|date=November 23, 2022|title=Wendy Williams' Family Reveals Heartbreaking Toll of Her Health Issues in Harrowing Documentary|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/wendy-williams-documentary/index.html|access-date=February 25, 2024|work=]|archive-date=February 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225041151/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/entertainment/wendy-williams-documentary/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Morrissey unsuccessfully sued to prevent its release, claiming the documentary exploited Williams.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Thomas|first=Carly|date=February 23, 2024|title=Wendy Williams Breaks Silence on Aphasia and Dementia Diagnosis: 'Immense Gratitude'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-williams-statement-aphasia-dementia-diagnosis-1235834445/|access-date=February 23, 2024|magazine=]|archive-date=February 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224023532/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wendy-williams-statement-aphasia-dementia-diagnosis-1235834445/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://people.com/wendy-williams-guardian-claims-lifetime-documentary-shamelessly-exploits-star-health-troubles-8609527 | title=Wendy Williams' Guardian's Lawsuit Unsealed, Claims Lifetime Doc 'Shamelessly Exploits' Star amid Health Troubles | access-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-date=August 28, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828000201/https://people.com/wendy-williams-guardian-claims-lifetime-documentary-shamelessly-exploits-star-health-troubles-8609527 | url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2024, legal documents filed by Morrissey described Williams as "cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wendy Williams' Guardian Says She's Become 'Permanently Disabled and Legally Incapacitated' Following Dementia Diagnosis |url=https://people.com/wendy-williams-deemed-permanently-disabled-legally-incapacitated-from-dementia-diagnosis-claims-guardian-8752295 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=People.com |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127004857/https://people.com/wendy-williams-deemed-permanently-disabled-legally-incapacitated-from-dementia-diagnosis-claims-guardian-8752295 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Williams has had conflicts with others regarding ]. Actress ] criticized Williams' mentality regarding ] after she said it made her uncomfortable because breasts are "more sexual than a feeding thing".<ref>{{cite web |last=Gilman |first=Greg |date=January 8, 2016 |title=Alyssa Milano calls breastfeeding shamers "archaic" following Wendy Williams debate (video) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/alyssa-milano-breastfeeding-shaming-archaic-wendy-williams-show-huffpost-live-video/ |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128082334/https://www.thewrap.com/alyssa-milano-breastfeeding-shaming-archaic-wendy-williams-show-huffpost-live-video/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Joi-Marie |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Alyssa Milano and Wendy Williams bump heads over breastfeeding in public |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/alyssa-milano-wendy-williams-bump-heads-breastfeeding-public/story?id=36142835 |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117151049/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/alyssa-milano-wendy-williams-bump-heads-breastfeeding-public/story?id=36142835 |archive-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> Williams was described as "mom-shaming" model ] for disapproving of her changing her baby's diaper in a store aisle.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ritschel |first=Chelsea |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Ashley Graham mum-shamed by Wendy Williams for changing newborn's dirty diaper on store floor |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ashley-graham-wendy-williams-baby-diaper-floor-instagram-mumshaming-a9383211.html |work=] |place=New York City |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101004151/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ashley-graham-wendy-williams-baby-diaper-floor-instagram-mumshaming-a9383211.html |archive-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> Williams has been accused of ]. In one episode of her show, after stating that ] can never be ], she told her audience, "Stop wearing our skirts and our heels!"<ref name="etonline.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0xKIHoLcT4|title=wendy williams' COMPLICATED history with the lgbtq+ community - YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> After explicitly stating that to be a woman, one has to ], she apologized for her remarks.<ref name="lgbtqnation.com"/> In 2021, Williams came under fire for her controversial coverage of the murder of 19-year-old ] star Swavy: "I have no idea who this is. Neither does Norman. Neither does one person in this building."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ellefson|first=Lindsey|date=July 9, 2021|title=Wendy Williams Sparks Backlash for Awkward Segment on TikTok Star Swavy's Death|work=]|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/wendy-williams-sparks-backlash-for-awkward-segment-on-tiktok-star-swavys-death/ar-AALXM6K|access-date=July 9, 2021|via=]}}</ref>


== Achievements ==
==Personal life==
] professor ] credits Williams for creating the format by which other personalities conduct gossip segments of their own.<ref name="Schulman"/> The scholars ThedaMarie Gibbs Grey and Bonnie J. Williams-Farrier contend Williams is among the African American women who, through their television programs, popularized the term "sipping tea".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gibbs Grey |first1=ThedaMarie |last2=Williams-Farrier |first2=Bonnie J. |date=2017 |title=#Sippingtea: Two Black Female Literacy Scholars Sharing Counter-Stories to Redefine Our Roles in the Academy |journal=] |volume=49 |issue=5 |pages=503{{hyphen}}525 |doi=10.1177/1086296X17733091|s2cid=148589694 }}</ref> Williams's voice is a popular sound on the social media service ]; her quote "That's what she said, and you know what? I— what was that? ...OK ...James" is used in over 100,000 videos. Other phrases such as "Oh she passed away?" and mispronunciation of singer ]'s name as "Dula Peep" became ]. YouTube users uploaded compilation videos of various Williams-isms to the platform,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Schroeder|first=Audra|date=September 17, 2021|title=Wendy Williams' "What was that? OK… James" kills on TikTok|magazine=]|url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/wendy-williams-what-was-that-ok-james-tiktok/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008091837/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/wendy-williams-what-was-that-ok-james-tiktok/|archive-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref> such as her misinterpreting the word ] as "cornova".
Williams' first husband was Bert Girigorie.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Wendy Williams: The Movie''. Lifetime biopic covers rape, cocaine, miscarriages, infidelity and N.J. star's rise |last=Kuperinsky|first=Amy|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/01/wendy-williams-the-movie-lifetime-biopic-covers-rape-cocaine-miscarriages-infidelity-and-nj-stars-rise.html|url-access=subscription|date=January 30, 2021|publisher=]|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302024603/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/01/wendy-williams-the-movie-lifetime-biopic-covers-rape-cocaine-miscarriages-infidelity-and-nj-stars-rise.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> In her 2003 autobiography, she refers to him under a pseudonym<ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 109</ref> and says they separated after five months and divorced about eighteen months later.<ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 125</ref> Williams married her second husband, Kevin Hunter, on November 30, 1999.{{efn-la|name="Marriage"}} She suffered two miscarriages before giving birth to their son, Kevin Hunter, on August 18, 2000.<ref name="Strauss 2003"/> In April 2019, Williams filed for divorce due to ].<ref name="Griffith 2019"/><ref name="Butler 2019"/> The divorce was finalized in January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wendy Williams' divorce from Kevin Hunter is finalized|url=https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/television/2020/01/29/wendy-williams-divorce-kevin-hunter-finalized/4595917002/|url-access=limited|date=January 29, 2020|work=]|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210318030806/https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/television/2020/01/29/wendy-williams-divorce-kevin-hunter-finalized/4595917002/|url-status=live|access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref>


Williams was inducted into the ] in 2009.<ref name="Carras 2019">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-10-17/wendy-williams-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star |url-access=limited |title=Wendy Williams tears up at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony |last=Carras |first=Christi |work=] |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031113513/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-10-17/wendy-williams-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star |archive-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref> On her 50th birthday in 2014, Asbury Park renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.<ref name="Armonaitis">{{cite news|last=Armonaitis|first=Dan|date=August 18, 2015|title=Wendy Williams brings sit down tour to Spartanburg|work=]|url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/entertainment/2015/08/18/wendy-williams-brings-sit-down-tour-to-spartanburg/28020974007/|url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305234823/https://www.goupstate.com/story/entertainment/2015/08/18/wendy-williams-brings-sit-down-tour-to-spartanburg/28020974007/|archive-date=March 5, 2022}}</ref> She was honored with the 2,677th star on the ] on October 17, 2019.<ref name="Carras 2019"/> A wax figure of Williams is located at ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=Chris|date=May 10, 2021|title=Wendy Williams wax figure gets a big unveiling on her show and at Madame Tussauds in NYC|work=]|url=https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/05/10/wendy-williams-show-madame-tussauds-wax-figure-unveiling/4985388001/|url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220305204616/https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/05/10/wendy-williams-show-madame-tussauds-wax-figure-unveiling/4985388001/|archive-date=March 5, 2022|access-date=March 5, 2022}}</ref> In Washington, D.C., various artifacts related to Williams's career such as a microphone, outfit, and wig used by her are located at a television exhibit in the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Puente|first=Maria|date=February 4, 2014|title=Wendy Williams' stuff is going to be in the Smithsonian|work=]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/02/07/wendy-williams-stuff-is-going-to-be-in-the-smithsonian/5260327/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610080152/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/02/07/wendy-williams-stuff-is-going-to-be-in-the-smithsonian/5260327/|archive-date=June 10, 2021}}</ref> A documentary, '']'', and a TV movie, '']'', are based on her life.<ref name="Schulman"/>
Due to her suburban upbringing, Williams considers herself "a multicultural woman who happens to be Black".<ref name="Strauss 2003"/> In her childhood, she attended a ] church with her family.<ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 114</ref> Williams identifies as ] but no longer attends ].<ref name="Booker 2009"/> She believes "] is everywhere" and ]s "every day, several times a day".<ref>Williams and Hunter, p. 259</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| '']''
| Reporter #2
|
|-
| 2011
| ''The Cookout 2''
| Herself
|
|-
| 2012
| '']''
| Gail
|
|-
| 2013
| '']''
| Herself
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2014
| '']''
| Gail
|
|-
| ''Santa Con''
| Pastor Ruth
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2016
| '']''
| Condor Mom (voice)
| TV movie
|-
| '']''
| Herself
|
|-
| 2018
| ''Homegrown Christmas''
| Herself
| TV movie
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1992
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Radio Days"
|-
| 1995
| '']''
| WGHT DJ
| Episode: "You Get No Respect"
|-
| 2006
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
| 2007
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Dice Back on TV: It's Showtime?"
|-
| 2008–22
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
| 2009
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Boyz II Men"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2010
| '']''
| Herself/Chat Show Host
| Episode: "June 10, 2010"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Kathy's Smear Campaign"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Episode 3"
|-
| 2010–11
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
| 2010–12
| '']''
| Herself
| Guest Cast: Season 1 & 3
|-
|rowspan="6"| 2011
| '']''
| Phyllis Rose
| Regular Cast
|-
| '']''
| Judge Mary Rudd
| Episode: "Hit and Run"
|-
| ]
| Herself/Contestant
| Contestant: ]
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Episode: "Braxton Family Reunion"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Episode: "Reunion Special"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2012
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "]"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Afraid of the Bark"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Are You Ready for Tamar?!?"
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2013
| ''Home by Novogratz''
| Herself
| Episode: "Wendy Williams Audience"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Red Carpet Ready?"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Funny Valentine"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Runaway Bride"
|-
| '']''
| Shirley
| Episode: "The One with Interspecies F-R-I-E-N-D-S"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2014
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Straight Up Comfort Food"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "The Chicken Rotisserie Show"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Restaurant Patron
| Episode: "16 Chefs Compete"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2015
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "The Women's List"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Reba"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Host
| Main Host
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2016
| '']''
| Herself/Guest Co-Host
| Episode: "Episode #7.93"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Panelist
| Episode: "North Korean Satellite & Realistic Barbie"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2017
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Go-Fund Yourself"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Blood Bath"
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Team Captain
| Episode: "Wendy Williams/Blac Youngsta"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2018
| ]
| Herself/Guest Co-Host
| Episode: "Episode #21.81"
|-
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Adam Driver/Kanye West"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2019
| '']''
| Herself
| Main Guest: Season 1
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Guest Judge
| Episode: "Pedal to the Medal"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2020
| '']''
| Herself
| Recurring Cast: Season 12
|-
| '']''
| Herself/Lips
| Contestant: ]
|-
| 2021
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Only Built 4 Leather Suits"
|-
| 2024
| '']''
| Herself
| Main Cast
|}

===Documentary===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
|-
| 2009
| ''Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff''
|-
| 2018
| '']''
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2021
| '']''
|-
| ''You're Watching Video Music Box''
|}


==Accolades==
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ {{sronly|Awards and nominations received by Wendy Williams}} |+ {{sronly|Awards and nominations received by Wendy Williams}}
Line 116: Line 428:
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993 | style="text-align:center;"| 1993
| R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year | R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year
| rowspan="2" | Herself
| Wendy Williams
| {{won}} | {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Billboard 1993"/> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Billboard 1993"/>
Line 123: Line 435:
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ] | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ]
| ] | ]
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/daytime-emmy-awards-complete-winners-791526 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: The complete winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=April 26, 2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130503/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/daytime-emmy-awards-complete-winners-791526 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/daytime-emmy-awards-complete-winners-791526 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: The complete winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=April 26, 2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130503/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/daytime-emmy-awards-complete-winners-791526 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ] | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ]
| Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host | Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
| Herself
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-winners-list-887787 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: The complete winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=May 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204225826/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-winners-list-887787 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-winners-list-887787 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: The complete winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=May 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204225826/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-winners-list-887787 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| ] | style="text-align:center;"| ]
| Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host | Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
| rowspan="3" | Herself
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2017-full-list-winners-998820 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: Winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513110303/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2017-full-list-winners-998820 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2017-full-list-winners-998820 |title=Daytime Emmy Awards: Winners list |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513110303/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2017-full-list-winners-998820 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
Line 149: Line 460:
| style="text-align:center;"| ] | style="text-align:center;"| ]
| Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host | Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |title=Daytime Emmys: ''Young and the Restless'' named Best Drama Series; Alex Trebek, ''CBS Sunday Morning'', ''Ellen'' among winners |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=May 5, 2019 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310214434/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2019-list-winners-updating-live-1199613 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-you-doin-wendy-williams-324662 |title=Daytime Emmys: ''Young and the Restless'' named Best Drama Series; Alex Trebek, ''CBS Sunday Morning'', ''Ellen'' among winners |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=May 5, 2019 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310214434/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2019-list-winners-updating-live-1199613 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| 2019 | style="text-align:center;"| 2019
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}}
| Wendy Williams
| {{won|2,677th star}} | {{won|2,677th star}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Carras 2019"/> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Carras 2019"/>
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| style="text-align:center;"| 2012 | style="text-align:center;"| 2012
| rowspan="3"| Outstanding Talk Series | rowspan="3"| Outstanding Talk Series
| ''The Wendy Williams Show'' | rowspan="3" | ''The Wendy Williams Show''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/naacp-image-awards-winners-nominees-the-help-whitney-houston-292489 |title=NAACP Image Award winners include ''The Help'', Stars Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis |magazine=] |date=February 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308214112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/naacp-image-awards-winners-nominees-the-help-whitney-houston-292489 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/naacp-image-awards-winners-nominees-the-help-whitney-houston-292489 |title=NAACP Image Award winners include ''The Help'', Stars Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis |magazine=] |date=February 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308214112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/naacp-image-awards-winners-nominees-the-help-whitney-houston-292489 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2015 | style="text-align:center;"| 2015
| ''The Wendy Williams Show''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naacp-image-awards-2015-winners-771018 |title=NAACP Image Awards: The winners |last=Washington |first=Arlene |magazine=] |date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303064956/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naacp-image-awards-2015-winners-771018 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naacp-image-awards-2015-winners-771018 |title=NAACP Image Awards: The winners |last=Washington |first=Arlene |magazine=] |date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303064956/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naacp-image-awards-2015-winners-771018 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2016 | style="text-align:center;"| 2016
| ''The Wendy Williams Show''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-winners-862137 |title=NAACP Image Awards: The complete winners list |magazine=] |date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143256/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-winners-862137 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-winners-862137 |title=NAACP Image Awards: The complete winners list |magazine=] |date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143256/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-winners-862137 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| 2009 | style="text-align:center;"| 2009
| {{n/a}} | {{n/a}}
| rowspan="2" | Herself
| Wendy Williams
| {{won|Inducted}} | {{won|Inducted}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Carras 2019"/> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref name="Carras 2019"/>
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| style="text-align:center;"| ] | style="text-align:center;"| ]
| Favorite Daytime TV Host | Favorite Daytime TV Host
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/people-s-choice-awards-2016-852675 |title=People's Choice Awards 2016: Complete winners list |magazine=] |date=January 6, 2016 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128114652/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/people-s-choice-awards-2016-852675 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/people-s-choice-awards-2016-852675 |title=People's Choice Awards 2016: Complete winners list |magazine=] |date=January 6, 2016 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128114652/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/people-s-choice-awards-2016-852675 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| ] | style="text-align:center;"| ]
| The Daytime Talk Show of 2019 | The Daytime Talk Show of 2019
| ''The Wendy Williams Show'' | rowspan="2" | ''The Wendy Williams Show''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1250529 |title=People's Choice Awards: ''Avengers: Endgame'' named best movie |last1=Nordyke |first1=Kimberly |last2=Howard |first2=Annie |magazine=] |date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308083405/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1250529 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1250529 |title=People's Choice Awards: ''Avengers: Endgame'' named best movie |last1=Nordyke |first1=Kimberly |last2=Howard |first2=Annie |magazine=] |date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308083405/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-winners-list-full-1250529 |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| ] | style="text-align:center;"| ]
| The Daytime Talk Show of 2020 | The Daytime Talk Show of 2020
| ''The Wendy Williams Show''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/e-peoples-choice-awards-winners-and-highlights-updating-live |title=E! People's Choice Awards: Tyler Perry, Jennifer Lopez and more winners share inspirational messages |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203022914/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/e-peoples-choice-awards-winners-and-highlights-updating-live |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/e-peoples-choice-awards-winners-and-highlights-updating-live |title=E! People's Choice Awards: Tyler Perry, Jennifer Lopez and more winners share inspirational messages |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |magazine=] |date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203022914/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/e-peoples-choice-awards-winners-and-highlights-updating-live |url-status=live |access-date=March 20, 2021}}</ref>
|- |-
! scope="row" rowspan="8"| '']'' Industry Achievement Award ! scope="row" rowspan="8"| '']'' Industry Achievement Award
| style="text-align:center;"| 1999 | style="text-align:center;"| 1999
| rowspan="2"| Urban Personality of the Year | rowspan="2"| Urban Personality of the Year
| rowspan="8" | Herself
| Wendy Williams
| {{won}} | {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |title=Urban, UAC honor their best |last=Love |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Love |magazine=] |date=June 25, 1999 |issue=1305 |page=58 |id={{ProQuest|1017327465}}}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |title=Urban, UAC honor their best |last=Love |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Love |magazine=] |date=June 25, 1999 |issue=1305 |page=58 |id={{ProQuest|1017327465}}}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2000 | style="text-align:center;"| 2000
| Wendy Williams
| {{won}} | {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |title=It's a wrap! |last=Love |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Love |magazine=] |date=June 30, 2000 |issue=1357 |page=63 |id={{ProQuest|1017358926}}}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |title=It's a wrap! |last=Love |first=Walt |author-link=Walt Love |magazine=] |date=June 30, 2000 |issue=1357 |page=63 |id={{ProQuest|1017358926}}}}</ref>
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| style="text-align:center;"| 2002 | style="text-align:center;"| 2002
| rowspan="3"| Urban Personality/Show of the Year | rowspan="3"| Urban Personality/Show of the Year
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-04-26-OCR-Page-0054.pdf |title=It's that time again! |last=Powell |first=Kashon |magazine=] |date=April 26, 2002 |issue=1450 |page=52 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-06-28-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |title=Urban and Urban AC winners |last=Powell |first=Kashon |magazine=] |date=June 28, 2002 |issue=1459 |page=40 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-04-26-OCR-Page-0054.pdf |title=It's that time again! |last=Powell |first=Kashon |magazine=] |date=April 26, 2002 |issue=1450 |page=52 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013103/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-04-26-OCR-Page-0054.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-06-28-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |title=Urban and Urban AC winners |last=Powell |first=Kashon |magazine=] |date=June 28, 2002 |issue=1459 |page=40 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013103/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/02/RR-2002-06-28-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 2003
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/03/RR-2003-04-25-OCR-Page-0067.pdf |title=Cast your vote for Urban's best! |magazine=] |date=April 25, 2003 |issue=1501 |page=65 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/03/RR-2003-07-04-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |title=WCGI-FM & WVAZ/Chicago win top honors |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=July 4, 2003 |issue=1511 |page=40 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/03/RR-2003-04-25-OCR-Page-0067.pdf |title=Cast your vote for Urban's best! |magazine=] |date=April 25, 2003 |issue=1501 |page=65 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013105/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/03/RR-2003-04-25-OCR-Page-0067.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/03/RR-2003-07-04-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |title=WCGI-FM & WVAZ/Chicago win top honors |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=July 4, 2003 |issue=1511 |page=40 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2004 | style="text-align:center;"| 2004
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/04/RR-2004-05-07-OCR-Page-0039.pdf |title=The best of the best |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=May 7, 2004 |issue=1554 |page=38 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/04/RR-2004-07-09-OCR-Page-0034.pdf |title=The winner's circle |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=July 9, 2004 |issue=1563 |page=32 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/04/RR-2004-05-07-OCR-Page-0039.pdf |title=The best of the best |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=May 7, 2004 |issue=1554 |page=38 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013104/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/04/RR-2004-05-07-OCR-Page-0039.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/04/RR-2004-07-09-OCR-Page-0034.pdf |title=The winner's circle |last=Hall |first=Dana |magazine=] |date=July 9, 2004 |issue=1563 |page=32 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2006 | style="text-align:center;"| 2006
| rowspan="3"| Urban AC Personality/Show of the Year | rowspan="3"| Urban AC Personality/Show of the Year
| Wendy Williams
| {{won}} | {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-10-06.pdf |title=And the winner is... |last=Crosley |first=Hillary |magazine=] |date=October 6, 2006 |issue=1678 |page=28 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-10-06.pdf |title=And the winner is... |last=Crosley |first=Hillary |magazine=] |date=October 6, 2006 |issue=1678 |page=28 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309130049/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-10-06.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2007 | style="text-align:center;"| 2007
| Wendy Williams
| {{won}} | {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/07/RR-2007-10-12-OCR-Page-0038.pdf |title=Top honors |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=October 12, 2007 |issue=1731 |page=38 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/07/RR-2007-10-12-OCR-Page-0038.pdf |title=Top honors |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=October 12, 2007 |issue=1731 |page=38 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013105/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/07/RR-2007-10-12-OCR-Page-0038.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2008 | style="text-align:center;"| 2008
| Wendy Williams
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/08/RR-2008-07-25-OCR-Page-0025.pdf |title=2008 ''R&R'' Industry Achievement Awards Nominees |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=July 25, 2008 |issue=1772 |page=25 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2008/RR-2008-10-10.pdf |title=For the grown folks |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=October 10, 2008 |issue=1783 |page=28 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> | style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/08/RR-2008-07-25-OCR-Page-0025.pdf |title=2008 ''R&R'' Industry Achievement Awards Nominees |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=July 25, 2008 |issue=1772 |page=25 |via=World Radio History |access-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311013104/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/08/RR-2008-07-25-OCR-Page-0025.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2008/RR-2008-10-10.pdf |title=For the grown folks |last=Dunham |first=Darnella |magazine=] |date=October 10, 2008 |issue=1783 |page=28 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|- |-
|}

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| 2004
| '']''
| Reporter No. 2
|
|-
| 2011
| ''The Cookout 2''
| Herself
|
|-
| 2012
| '']''
| Gail
|
|-
| 2013
| '']''
| Herself
| Opening sequence
|-
| 2014
| '']''
| Gail
|
|-
| 2016
| '']''
| Herself
|
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1992
| '']''
| Herself
| Episode: "Radio Days"
|-
| 1995
| '']''
| WGHT DJ
| Episode: "You Get No Respect"
|-
|2006
|'']''
| rowspan="2" |Herself
|
|-
|2007
|'']''
|2 episodes
|-
|2008–2015
|]
|Guest host
|5 episodes
|-
|2008–present
|'']''
| rowspan="2" |Host
|
|-
|2010–2011
|'']''
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |2011
| '']''
| Phyllis Rose
| Episode: "1.10885"
|-
| '']''
| Judge Mary Rudd
| Episode: "Hit and Run"
|-
|]
|Contestant
|]; partnered with ]
|-
|'']''
| rowspan="4" |Herself
|1 episode
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2012
| '']''
| Episode: "]"
|-
|'']''
|Episode: "The Word of the Day" segment
|-
|'']''
|1 episode
|-
|2013–2020
|'']''
|Guest co-host
|8 episodes
|-
|2013–2017
|'']''
| rowspan="3" |Herself
|5 episodes
|-
| rowspan="4" |2013
| '']''
| Episode: "Funny Valentine"
|-
| '']''
| Episode: "Runaway Bride"
|-
| '']''
| Shirley
| Episode: "The One with Interspecies F-R-I-E-N-D-S"
|-
|'']''
|Guest co-host
|3 episodes
|-
| 2014
| ''Santa Con''
| Pastor Ruth
| Television film
|-
|2014–2020
|]
|Guest co-host
|9 episodes
|-
|2014–2019
|]
| rowspan="3" |Herself
|10 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015
|'']''
|1 episode
|-
|'']''
|Episode: "It's Neil's mum"
|-
| 2016
| '']''
| Condor Mom
| Voice only; television special
|-
| rowspan="3" |2017
| '']''
| rowspan="4" | Herself
| Episode: "Go-Fund Yourself"
|-
| '']''
| Episode: "Blood Bath"
|-
|'']''
|Team Captain
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
|'']''
|5 episodes
|-
|'']''
|Guest judge
|1 episode
|-
| rowspan="2" |2020
|'']''
|Herself
|2 episodes
|-
|'']''
| Lips
| Eliminated after first appearance
|-
|2021
|'']''
| Herself
| Documentary
|} |}


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{{Commons category|Wendy Williams (media personality)|Wendy Williams}} {{Commons category|Wendy Williams (media personality)|Wendy Williams}}
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519201612/https://www.wendyshow.com/ |date=May 19, 2019 }}
* {{youtube|p=UUv7YFWATebnJ1ty4cwMKgsQ |title= The Wendy Williams Show }} * {{youTube|p=UUv7YFWATebnJ1ty4cwMKgsQ |title= The Wendy Williams Show }}
* {{IMDb name|1829292|Wendy Williams}} * {{IMDb name|1829292|Wendy Williams}}
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Latest revision as of 05:44, 7 January 2025

American media personality (born 1964) For other people named Wendy Williams, see Wendy Williams (disambiguation).

Wendy Williams
Williams in 2018
BornWendy Joan Williams
(1964-07-18) July 18, 1964 (age 60)
Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesWendy Williams Hunter
EducationNortheastern University (BA)
Occupations
  • Broadcaster
  • media personality
  • writer
Years active1986–2023
Television
Spouses
Bert Girigorie ​ ​(m. 1994; div. 1995)
Kevin Hunter ​ ​(m. 1999; div. 2020)
Children1

Wendy Williams Hunter (née Wendy Joan Williams; born July 18, 1964) is an American former broadcaster, media personality, and writer. From 2008 to 2021, she hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show The Wendy Williams Show.

Prior to television, Williams was a radio DJ and host and quickly became known in New York City as a shock jock. She gained notoriety for her on-air spats with celebrities and was the subject of the 2006 VH1 reality television series The Wendy Williams Experience, which broadcast events surrounding her radio show.

Williams's other endeavors include authoring several books, appearances in various films and television shows, touring her comedy show, and her own product lines, including a fashion line, a jewelry collection and a wig line. Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009. On her 50th birthday, the council of Asbury Park, New Jersey, renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.

Williams seemingly retired from public life in 2023 after being diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, though no official announcement regarding the future of her career has come from Williams or her team.

Early life

Wendy Joan Williams was born on July 18, 1964, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She is the second of three children born to Shirley (née Skinner) and Thomas Dwayne Williams. The couple had a combined three master's degrees; Shirley was a special education teacher while Thomas was a teacher and school principal who in 1969 became the first black school administrator in Red Bank, New Jersey. Following race riots in Asbury Park in 1970, the family moved to the predominantly white, middle income suburb of Wayside in Ocean Township, New Jersey. They attended a Baptist church and visited the town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, each summer. As a child, doctors recommended Williams be medicated to control her hyperactivity. She suffered from poor body image due to the diet her parents put her on after gaining weight in elementary school. Williams was a Brownie in the Girl Scouts and volunteered as a candy striper. Her parents believed she would become a nurse.

Williams as a sophomore in Ocean Township High School's 1980 yearbook

Williams acted as an announcer at her younger brother's Little League Baseball games. She graduated from Ocean Township High School in 1982 among four black students, ranking 360th in the class of 363. Her academic performance contrasted with that of her older sister, who received a university scholarship at the age of 16. As she was able to use "white" diction instead of African-American Vernacular English, Williams's white classmates considered her one of their own and freely used the word nigger around her. She did not get along with the other black students and said their only commonality was smoking cannabis. According to Williams, she did not listen to hip hop music and instead listened to rock bands like AC/DC because they were popular with her classmates. Due to her suburban upbringing, Williams considers herself "a multicultural woman who happens to be Black".

Williams attended Northeastern University in Boston with the intent of becoming a television anchor. Less than a month after starting, she switched from television communications to radio because she could advance her career faster—a move of which her parents disapproved. Williams graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and, to appease her parents, a minor in journalism. She was a disc jockey for the college radio station, WRBB, where rapper LL Cool J was her first celebrity interviewee. As an intern for Matt Siegel at contemporary hit radio station WXKS-FM, Williams recapped the soap operas Dallas and Dynasty on air. In 2021, Williams revealed that she was date raped while in college.

Media career

1986–1994: Career beginnings, WQHT, and WRKS

Two weeks after graduating from Northeastern, Williams began her career as a disc jockey working for the small, calypso and reggae-oriented WVIS in Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands, but disliked the role because she did not learn as much about radio from her colleagues as she expected. Due to low pay and isolation from her family, Williams began sending resumes and demo tapes of herself to other radio stations. She left WVIS after eight months and obtained a position at Washington, D.C.'s WOL, but found its oldies radio format incompatible with her personality. Williams continued sending tapes to other stations and on November 1, 1987, began as a weekend fill-in on New York City's WQHT. After the urban contemporary station hired her full-time to work overnight shifts, she left WOL.

Williams was fired from WQHT after two years and briefly worked overnight shifts at WPLJ before being hired by WRKS. Initially working as a fill-in, WRKS gave Williams a non-compete clause and permanent morning position in May 1990 after WBLS began poaching its employees. She joined Jeff Foxx and Spider Webb as part of the station's "Wake-Up Club". There, Williams began gossiping about rappers and celebrities during a segment called "Dish the Dirt". Those she talked about, such as Bill Cosby and Russell Simmons, called the station and (unsuccessfully) demanded she be fired. As she grew into a popular radio personality, WRKS moved Williams to host the evening drive time slot in April 1991. By 1993, she was the highest-rated host in her time slot in the New York City market and received a Billboard Radio Award for R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year.

Williams co-hosted American Urban Radio Networks' syndicated Top 30 USA song countdown program in 1993 and USA Music Magazine in 1994. By mid-1994, WRKS had suffered a ratings decline amid competition from hip hop-oriented WQHT, which was owned by Emmis Broadcasting. In an effort to reverse the trend, WRKS moved Williams back to mornings on September 26, 1994, where she hosted a program titled "Wendy and Company". However, Emmis purchased WRKS less than three months later and transferred Williams to WQHT, where she began hosting the evening drive time slot on December 12, 1994. As WRKS was reformatted into an urban adult contemporary outlet geared toward older audiences, they believed Williams would better reflect WQHT's younger demographic.

1994–2001: WQHT, website, move to WUSL

By this time, Williams attended parties to gain information which she would report on air in addition to reading tabloid newspapers. She continued gossip segments and gave relationship advice to teenage girls during "Ask Wendy". Williams's ratings increased dramatically after she read aloud a magazine article about an anonymous rapper confessing to being gay. She became known for speculating about his identity and spread rumors that there was not one, but multiple gay rappers who were not open about their sexuality. Among her insinuations was that Tupac Shakur was raped in prison, which he denied. Williams employed the term "pinky's up" when alleging someone was gay and regularly used the slur faggot, which she considered to be inoffensive. Her comments contributed to an increase of homophobia in hip hop culture.

Williams created a website, www.gowendy.com, as an offshoot of her radio program. Featuring photos and rumors of celebrities, it received up to 100,000 views per day. In April 1997, WQHT suspended Williams for one week after mentioning her website on air, which displayed a doctored image of Bad Boy Records executive Sean Combs naked from the waist down having sex with another man. The station suspended Williams again in September 1997 for online comments insinuating that her colleague Angie Martinez's boyfriend Q-Tip was gay. Upon her return after deleting the post a month later, Williams called the Bad Boy Records girl group Total "broke hoes" after their comments favoring her suspension. WQHT permanently removed Williams and her fans protested outside of their offices. By this time, Williams had received more than 50 letters from the station regarding her "lack of good judgment". She speculated her removal was due to pressure from music industry executives and stood by her comments, stating: "I stopped caring about artists when I realized it's more lucrative to talk about them than with them."

She was fired from Hot 97 in 1998. Williams was hired by a Philadelphia urban station, WUSL ("Power 99FM"). She was very open about her personal life on air, discussing her miscarriages, breast enhancement surgery, and former drug addiction. She helped the station move from 14th place in the ratings to 2nd.

2001–2008: WBLS

Williams in 2005

In 2001, Williams returned to the New York airwaves when WBLS hired her full-time for a syndicated 2–6 p.m. time slot. Williams' friend, MC Spice of Boston, offered his voiceover services to the show, often adding short rap verses tailored specifically for Williams' show. The New York Times stated that her "show works best when its elements – confessional paired with snarkiness – are conflated". By 2008, she was syndicated in Redondo Beach, California; Shreveport, Louisiana; Wilmington, Delaware; Toledo, Ohio; Columbia, South Carolina; Emporia, Virginia; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Tyler, Texas; and Alexandria, Louisiana, among other markets. Williams left her radio show in 2009 to focus on her television program and spend more time with her family.

Media outlets have described Williams's 2003 interview with Whitney Houston as her most infamous. After Williams asked Houston about her marriage and breast implants, they began a shouting match and Houston said she would have fought Williams if she were younger. In a later interview with Williams, Houston's confidant Robyn Crawford said they planned to confront her years earlier after she talked about Houston on air. Wu-Tang Clan performer Method Man had a personal and publicized conflict with Williams in 2006 after she revealed details about his wife's cancer diagnosis.

2008–2016: Breakthrough with The Wendy Williams Show

In 2008, Debmar-Mercury offered Williams a six-week television trial of her own talk show. A syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Williams titled Wendy's World was poised to debut in fall 1997, but never aired. On July 14, 2008, Williams debuted her daytime talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, in four cities during the summer of 2008. During the tryout, The New York Times remarked that the show created a "breakthrough in daytime" by introducing the genre of the "backtalk show". After a successful run, Fox signed a deal with Debmar-Mercury to broadcast the show nationally on their stations beginning in July 2009. In addition, BET picked up cable rights to broadcast the show at night. In 2010, BET started airing the show internationally in 54 countries through BET International. The show attracted 2.4 million daily viewers on average, with Williams trading off daily with Ellen DeGeneres as the number one female host on daytime television.

Williams on The Wendy Williams Show in 2011

Williams hosted a game show for GSN called Love Triangle (2011) for which she and her husband Kevin Hunter served as executive producers. Williams played a judge on the Lifetime network show Drop Dead Diva (2011) and served as a guest judge on The Face (2013). Williams was paired with Tony Dovolani as a contestant on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars; she was eliminated second. Williams later alleged the show's producers portrayed her as an angry black woman, a racial stereotype. Williams appeared in the film adaptation of Steve Harvey's book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, titled Think Like a Man (2012), and its sequel, Think Like a Man Too (2014). In 2012, it was announced Williams would enter into a "production alliance" with producers Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to create movies and television shows aimed at multicultural audiences. These projects will appear under the heading "Wendy Williams presents" and their first project will be VH1 adaptation of a Star Jones novel.

In February 2013, it was announced that Williams and her husband and manager, Kevin, were launching a reality television production company, Wendy Williams Productions. that will produce unscripted content, including reality television and game shows. Williams was an executive producer on the show Celebrities Undercover (2014). Williams also executive produced a biographical film for Lifetime, Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, which premiered on November 15, 2014. The film attracted controversy due to its casting and depiction of Aaliyah's relationship with R. Kelly. and received predominantly negative reviews from critics. In September 2015, the documentary series Death By Gossip with Wendy Williams premiered on the Investigation Discovery channel, both hosted and produced by Williams. In 2013, Williams was cast to play the role of Matron "Mama" Morton on the Broadway musical Chicago. She began her tenure on July 2 and finished her seven-week run on August 11, 2013. Her preparations for the musical were documented in the TV Guide docuseries Wendy Williams: How You Doin', Broadway?!, which was produced by her own production company, Wendy Williams Productions.

Williams was accused of victim blaming singer Kesha in 2016 after questioning why she did not film the alleged sexual abuse by record producer Dr. Luke against her. Williams later apologized for the remarks and stated "unfortunately a lot of people lie about rape so I was just being skeptical".

2017–2021: Personal and professional issues, end of talk show

Williams in 2019

Williams's health issues caused her to take multiple hiatuses from hosting her show, including three weeks in 2018 and six weeks in 2019.

During this time, Williams received criticism for several remarks she made on her show. In January 2018, Williams was criticized by activist Tarana Burke after saying an alleged 14-year-old sexual assault victim of R. Kelly gave him consent and that she was tired of the #MeToo movement. Williams stood by her comments, saying "I feel like I know things about R. Kelly that he's told me himself that I promised I would keep in confidence." While talking about actor Joaquin Phoenix in January 2020, Williams used her finger to pull up a part of her lip to resemble a cleft palate, which Phoenix denies having. Although Williams said she found it attractive, critics claimed that it appeared as if she was mocking him. After a Change.org petition in favor of firing her garnered over 70,000 signatures, Williams apologized on Twitter and her show donated to cleft palate charities. The following month, Williams was criticized for making homophobic comments. While talking about the fictional holiday "Galentine's Day", she criticized gay men for wearing skirts and high heels and falsely assumed they aspire to be women. Williams later apologized for her remarks. While talking about the murder of Amie Harwick shortly thereafter, Williams made a joke referring to Harwick's ex-fiancé Drew Carey and his job on The Price Is Right, saying that show's catchphrase, "Come on down!", in response to news that Harwick was thrown to her death.

Williams hosted her show remotely from March to May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after which she took a hiatus due to fatigue caused by Graves' disease. She returned to a studio broadcast in September of that year. The next month, Williams competed in season four of The Masked Singer as "Lips" where she was mostly sitting on something due to the weight of the costume and was eliminated after her first appearance.

In July 2021, Williams received criticism for her tone while covering the murder of 19-year-old TikTok star Swavy. After comparing their social media followers, Williams stated "I have no idea who this is" and casually informed her studio audience of his death. Williams did not return to her show after that month due to health issues; guests hosted in her absence. She tested positive for a breakthrough infection of COVID-19 in September 2021.

Williams in 2022

Production of The Wendy Williams Show concluded in 2022 due to Williams's ongoing health issues.

Other ventures

Authorship

Williams is the author of three non-fiction books. She released an autobiography co-written with New York Daily News journalist Karen Hunter in August 2003 titled Wendy's Got the Heat. It focuses on her life, including childhood troubles, drug addiction, and marriages. Published by Atria, it debuted at number nine on The New York Times Best Seller list for nonfiction. The autobiography was reprinted in paperback in August 2004, a month before the debut of Williams' second book, The Wendy Williams Experience, which contains celebrity gossip and interviews. In May 2013, Williams released an advice book, Ask Wendy. Over the years, Williams wrote columns for Honey and Life & Style magazines.

Williams has also written several fiction books, including a trilogy about the life and career of radio shock jock Ritz Harper. She co-authored the first two novels, Drama Is Her Middle Name (2006) and Is the Bitch Dead, or What? (2007), with Hunter. Zondra Hughes co-wrote the third installment Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood! (2009). Media outlets considered Ritz Harper similar to Williams. In 2014, Williams released a romance novel, Hold Me in Contempt. She said it was co-authored with an English professor ghostwriter.

Music and comedy

Williams interviewed Blu Cantrell in 2003; the conversation was released as a DVD on the singer's album Bittersweet. Williams and Virgin Records released a compilation album, Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1, in June 2005 featuring various rap acts, including M.O.P., Jadakiss, and Young Jeezy. It sold 29,000 copies by November of that year according to Nielsen SoundScan.

In 2014, Lipshtick called Williams to participate in their first all-female-based comedy series at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Williams made her sold-out comedy debut on July 11, 2014. Williams' comedy tour was called "The Sit-down Comedy Tour". Williams returned to Lipshtick on October 31, 2014, and November 1, 2014, after she made a sold-out debut in July. Williams hosted her "How You Laughin'" Comedy Series at NJPAC on November 15, 2014, featuring Luenell, Jonathan Martin, Pat Brown, Hadiyah Robinson, and Meme Simpson. In 2015, Williams announced a 12-city comedy tour called "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."

Philanthropy and activism

In 2005, Williams funded a $1,000 scholarship for a black female high school student who sought to major in communications at college. Subsequent recipients in 2006 and 2007 also received internships at WBLS. She led an effort to donate money and school supplies to Asbury Park Middle School in 2009. Williams is pro-choice for abortion.

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Williams visited her hometown of Asbury Park and paid for the hot meals of 300 people, face painting, and balloon animals for children. She supported Barack Obama in that year's presidential election, and promoted an NAACP voter helpline. Williams posed for PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign in 2012, stating "we should all try to be comfortable in our own skin and let the animals keep theirs." Williams also headlined during Philly Pride that year.

In 2013, she participated in The Heart Truth fashion show to raise awareness for women's breast cancer. Williams supported the 2015 removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House. In 2018, she promoted Be Here (behere.org) while on a 10-city tour with goal to raise $10 million in 5 years for drug and substance abuse victims. Williams attended Los Angeles Pride in June 2019 with Blac Chyna, and rode on a float in July at the WorldPride parade in New York. In September, Williams became an ambassador and honorary board member of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.

The Hunter Foundation

Williams and her ex-husband created The Hunter Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization that funded anti-poverty programs and provided resources to people as they transitioned from drug addiction to recovery. During the Holiday season in 2016, the couple hosted dinners for over 1000 for those in need through the foundation. In 2017 the organization donated $1000 for the opening of an emergency food pantry. In 2018, the organization paid for a student's college tuition. During March 2019, The Hunter Foundation launched a 24/7 national hotline 1-888-5HUNTER for those struggling with addiction. The Foundation was dissolved following Williams' divorce from Hunter in May 2019. Following the dissolution, Williams partnered with SNAX-Sational Brands and Operation Backpack with the objective to raise funds to provide backpacks filled with various school supplies for children in New York homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Products and endorsements

While working for WRKS, Williams was a spokesperson for a hip-hop clothing brand. In 2006, she became a spokesperson for George Veselles champagne and Alizé liqueurs. Williams debuted a jewelry and shoe line on shopping channel QVC called "Adorn" in 2012. Williams' started a "Save the Twinkie" campaign amidst the parent company's filing for bankruptcy, setting up a Facebook page and promoting the snack on The Wendy Williams Show. The shoe manufacturer's lawyer alleged she never paid the production cost. In 2013, Williams released a wig collection to online retailers. She sold a self-titled clothing line in 2015 on shopping channel HSN and continued the partnership the following year by releasing shoe and winter clothing collections.

Personal life

In 1994, Williams married her first husband, Bertrand "Bert" Girigorie. She said they separated after five months and divorced about eighteen months later. Williams met her second husband, Kevin Hunter, in 1994, and married him on November 30, 1999. Her husband became her agent. She suffered multiple miscarriages before giving birth to their son in August 2000. In April 2019, Williams filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences after Hunter fathered a baby with a mistress. Although the divorce was finalized in January 2020, her legal surname remains Hunter.

Health issues and guardianship

Williams has been open about her cocaine addiction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, for which she never received treatment.

In late October 2017, Williams fainted during a live broadcast of her show from dehydration. Williams was often in the news for the next two years because of her health issues and relationship with Hunter. In February 2018, Williams disclosed that she has Graves' disease which causes hyperthyroidism, conditions she had been diagnosed with nearly two decades prior. Due to the increased pressure behind her eyes, they sometimes have a pronounced bulging appearance. Williams wears wigs in public because her thyroid condition thins her natural hair. She fractured her shoulder in December 2018. In March 2019, Williams said she had been living in a sober house "for some time" and that she has vertigo. Later that year, Williams revealed she had been diagnosed with lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in her ankles.

Williams's bank, Wells Fargo, froze her accounts in January 2022 and requested a New York Supreme Court hearing to determine whether she was in need of a guardianship due to her health conditions. She disputed the allegations and accused her former manager and a Wells Fargo financial advisor of impropriety. A judge appointed a temporary financial guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, in March, and they were confirmed in May. Williams entered a wellness facility to treat her health issues. She returned to public activity in November and prepared to launch a podcast, though she did not end up releasing it.

According to her representatives, Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023 and entered a cognitive facility. A documentary chronicling Williams's life since 2022, Where Is Wendy Williams?, aired on Lifetime in February 2024. Morrissey unsuccessfully sued to prevent its release, claiming the documentary exploited Williams. In November 2024, legal documents filed by Morrissey described Williams as "cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated."

Achievements

City University of New York professor Tanisha C. Ford credits Williams for creating the format by which other personalities conduct gossip segments of their own. The scholars ThedaMarie Gibbs Grey and Bonnie J. Williams-Farrier contend Williams is among the African American women who, through their television programs, popularized the term "sipping tea". Williams's voice is a popular sound on the social media service TikTok; her quote "That's what she said, and you know what? I— what was that? ...OK ...James" is used in over 100,000 videos. Other phrases such as "Oh she passed away?" and mispronunciation of singer Dua Lipa's name as "Dula Peep" became internet memes. YouTube users uploaded compilation videos of various Williams-isms to the platform, such as her misinterpreting the word "corona" as "cornova".

Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009. On her 50th birthday in 2014, Asbury Park renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way. She was honored with the 2,677th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019. A wax figure of Williams is located at Madame Tussauds New York. In Washington, D.C., various artifacts related to Williams's career such as a microphone, outfit, and wig used by her are located at a television exhibit in the National Museum of American History. A documentary, Wendy Williams: What a Mess!, and a TV movie, Wendy Williams: The Movie, are based on her life.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2004 The Cookout Reporter #2
2011 The Cookout 2 Herself
2012 Think Like a Man Gail
2013 World War Z Herself
2014 Think Like a Man Too Gail
Santa Con Pastor Ruth TV movie
2016 Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade Condor Mom (voice) TV movie
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Herself
2018 Homegrown Christmas Herself TV movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Martin Herself Episode: "Radio Days"
1995 New York Undercover WGHT DJ Episode: "You Get No Respect"
2006 The Wendy Williams Experience Herself/Host Main Host
2007 Dice: Undisputed Herself Episode: "Dice Back on TV: It's Showtime?"
2008–22 The Wendy Williams Show Herself/Host Main Host
2009 Biography Herself Episode: "Boyz II Men"
2010 BBC Breakfast Herself/Chat Show Host Episode: "June 10, 2010"
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Herself Episode: "Kathy's Smear Campaign"
Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It Herself Episode: "Episode 3"
2010–11 The A-List: New York Herself/Host Main Host
2010–12 Bethenny Ever After Herself Guest Cast: Season 1 & 3
2011 One Life to Live Phyllis Rose Regular Cast
Drop Dead Diva Judge Mary Rudd Episode: "Hit and Run"
Dancing with the Stars Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 12
Love Triangle Herself/Host Main Host
Braxton Family Values Herself/Host Episode: "Braxton Family Reunion"
Mob Wives Herself/Host Episode: "Reunion Special"
2012 30 Rock Herself Episode: "My Whole Life Is Thunder"
Sesame Street Herself Episode: "Afraid of the Bark"
Tamar & Vince Herself Episode: "Are You Ready for Tamar?!?"
2013 Home by Novogratz Herself Episode: "Wendy Williams Audience"
The Face Herself Episode: "Red Carpet Ready?"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Herself Episode: "Funny Valentine"
Belle's Herself Episode: "Runaway Bride"
The Neighbors Shirley Episode: "The One with Interspecies F-R-I-E-N-D-S"
2014 Trisha's Southern Kitchen Herself Episode: "Straight Up Comfort Food"
The Kitchen Herself Episode: "The Chicken Rotisserie Show"
Hell's Kitchen Herself/Restaurant Patron Episode: "16 Chefs Compete"
Soul Train Music Awards Herself/Host Main Host
2015 American Masters Herself Episode: "The Women's List"
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris Herself Episode: "Reba"
Death by Gossip with Wendy Williams Herself/Host Main Host
2016 The Dr. Oz Show Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #7.93"
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore Herself/Panelist Episode: "North Korean Satellite & Realistic Barbie"
2017 Nightcap Herself Episode: "Go-Fund Yourself"
Odd Mom Out Herself Episode: "Blood Bath"
Wild 'n Out Herself/Team Captain Episode: "Wendy Williams/Blac Youngsta"
2018 The View Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #21.81"
Saturday Night Live Herself Episode: "Adam Driver/Kanye West"
2019 Surviving R. Kelly Herself Main Guest: Season 1
Project Runway All Stars Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Pedal to the Medal"
2020 The Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Recurring Cast: Season 12
The Masked Singer Herself/Lips Contestant: Season 4
2021 That Damn Michael Che Herself Episode: "Only Built 4 Leather Suits"
2024 Where Is Wendy Williams? Herself Main Cast

Documentary

Year Title
2009 Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff
2018 Fahrenheit 11/9
2021 Wendy Williams: What a Mess!
You're Watching Video Music Box

Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Wendy Williams
Award Year Category Nominee Result Ref(s)
Billboard Radio Award 1993 R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year Herself Won
Daytime Emmy Award 2015 Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Nominated
Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment The Wendy Williams Show Nominated
2016 Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Herself Nominated
Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment The Wendy Williams Show Nominated
2017 Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Herself Nominated
2019 Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Nominated
Hollywood Walk of Fame 2019 2,677th star
NAACP Image Award 2012 Outstanding Talk Series The Wendy Williams Show Nominated
2015 Nominated
2016 Nominated
National Radio Hall of Fame 2009 Herself Inducted
People's Choice Award 2016 Favorite Daytime TV Host Nominated
2019 The Daytime Talk Show of 2019 The Wendy Williams Show Nominated
2020 The Daytime Talk Show of 2020 Nominated
Radio & Records Industry Achievement Award 1999 Urban Personality of the Year Herself Won
2000 Won
2002 Urban Personality/Show of the Year Nominated
2003 Nominated
2004 Nominated
2006 Urban AC Personality/Show of the Year Won
2007 Won
2008 Nominated

Bibliography

Nonfiction

Fiction

Notes

  1. ^ Sources have used both Wendy Williams Hunter and simply Wendy Hunter as Williams' legal name.
  2. ^ Sources differ regarding the year of Williams' marriage to Hunter. While some publications give 1997, her divorce filing lists 1999.

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Works cited

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