Wendy Williams Speaks Out on "The View," Claims Guardianship is Unjust

Wendy Williams, the iconic television and radio personality known for her outspoken opinions and no-holds-barred approach to pop culture, recently made a highly anticipated appearance on "The View" to address her ongoing legal battle regarding her guardianship. The appearance, a pre-taped phone interview aired on Friday, marked a significant moment for Williams, who has been largely out of the public eye as she navigates complex personal and legal challenges.

For over a decade, Williams captivated audiences with "Hot Topics," her signature segment on her daytime talk show, where she delivered her unfiltered takes on celebrity news, gossip, and societal trends. Now, the tables have turned, and Williams herself has become the subject of intense public scrutiny, with her health, well-being, and legal situation dominating headlines.

The "View" segment featured Williams speaking with co-hosts Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin. Notably absent was Whoopi Goldberg, who typically moderates the show but does not work on Fridays due to a contractual agreement.

During the interview, Williams directly addressed the guardianship that has been in place, claiming it is an unjust constraint on her autonomy. Drawing parallels to Britney Spears’ highly publicized legal conservatorship, Williams asserted that she is not incapacitated and should have the right to make her own decisions.

"It was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I don’t have it," Williams stated, her voice sounding "OK," according to Behar. She went on to reveal that she currently resides in a memory care unit, a detail that has raised concerns among her fans and followers.

"I stay in the bedroom the majority of the time," Williams shared, adding that she is on "the memory unit floor where the people are 90 and 80 and 70. I’m 60." The stark contrast between her age and the ages of the other residents in the facility highlights the unique circumstances of her situation.

Williams expressed frustration and anger towards her guardians and the judge overseeing her case. "I’ve been doing important things all of my life, and these two people don’t look like me, they don’t dress like me, they don’t talk like me, they don’t act like me," she said, emphasizing the disconnect between herself and those controlling her affairs. "I need them to, on my knees, get off my neck," she pleaded, conveying the depth of her desire for independence and control over her own life.

Sunny Hostin, a co-host on "The View," expressed gratitude to Williams for giving her her start as a "legal eagle" on her radio show, acknowledging the significant role Williams played in launching her career.

Prior to her daytime talk show success, Williams built a devoted following through her radio shows in New York City and Philadelphia, where she cultivated a reputation for her provocative interviews and celebrity feuds, most notably her contentious relationship with Whitney Houston in 2003. In 2008, she transitioned to television with the debut of "The Wendy Williams Show," quickly establishing herself as a major force in daytime television.

The appearance on "The View" comes shortly after Williams was transported to a New York City hospital following a welfare check by the New York Police Department. The NYPD confirmed that they responded to a welfare check at the senior living facility where she resides, and that EMS transported her to an area hospital for evaluation.

In a separate phone interview with "Good Day New York" host Rosanna Scotto, Williams addressed the welfare check, stating, "I passed with flying colors." She reiterated her desire to be "independently tested," adding, "Look, it’s not that I’m scared to talk, it’s just under these circumstances, there are certain people that I don’t care to talk to or talk about, you know what I’m saying."

USA TODAY has reached out to Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and caretaker, Ginalisa Monterroso, for comment regarding her mental capacity tests, but has yet to receive a response.

Morrissey has previously stated, through her lawyers, in court filings that Williams is "cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated" due to primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, diagnoses she received in 2023. However, Williams has disputed these diagnoses in multiple interviews, adding to the complexity and uncertainty surrounding her situation.

The anticipation for Williams’ appearance on "The View" was fueled by a cryptic Instagram post from her former "Wendy" executive producer, Suzanne Bass, who teased a potential appearance with the hashtag "#freewendy."

"The Wendy Williams Show," which premiered in 2008, was canceled in February 2022, making way for "Sherri," hosted by former "View" co-host Sherri Shepherd. The cancellation occurred during Williams’ 13th season after she took medical leave due to her ongoing battle with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder.

The cancellation followed a period of personal turmoil for Williams, including her divorce from her ex-husband and former "Wendy" executive producer, Kevin Hunter Sr., who played a key role in building her media empire. Williams seemingly confirmed rumors of Hunter’s infidelity in a 2019 interview with The New York Times Magazine, acknowledging that he "has a daughter."

Williams later released a biopic and documentary, "Wendy Williams: The Movie" and "Wendy Williams: What a Mess!," respectively, which explored the breakdown of her relationship with Hunter. "He inconvenienced my life with his attitude, a baby and a lot of affairs," she told USA TODAY in 2021. "And now I’m going to inconvenience his by letting him know that I’ve got the best apartment, I’ve got the best view, I’ve got the best concierge, I live the best life, I eat the best food. I have the best of the best."

Williams and Hunter share one son, Kevin Hunter Jr.

The appearance on "The View" offers a glimpse into the ongoing struggles Williams faces as she fights for her autonomy and challenges the narrative surrounding her health and legal status. The segment resonated with "Wendy Watchers," Williams’ loyal fanbase, who continue to rally behind her and advocate for her well-being. The situation remains complex and fluid, with many unanswered questions surrounding Williams’ health, guardianship, and future.