Wendy Williams' 94-year old dad dances at his birthday party: 'Love you endlessly Papa'
Keep on dancing!
Wendy Williams' 94-year old dad Thomas Williams danced at his birthday party in Miami over the weekend. His granddaughter, Alex Finnie, shared a video of Thomas, a former teacher and football coach at Asbury Park High School, dancing up a storm on Instagram.
'Happy 94th birthday to my Papa who continues dancing his way through life and leads with the quote, 'You're never too old to do what you might have done,' ' Finnie said. 'I love you endlessly Papa (heart emoji) happy birthday.'
Beyonce's "Before I Let Go" plays will dad dances. Wendy, 60, attended the party but was not shown in her dad's dance video.
More: Tubi's 'Saving Wendy': Wendy Williams says son partly to blame for guardianship
Dad Thomas was the first Black principal at the former River Street School in Red Bank in 1969. Shirley, his wife and Wendy's mom, passed away in 2020. She was a member of civic groups ranging from the Monmouth County Council of Girl Scouts to the Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women.
Alex's mom, and Wendy's sister, is Wanda Finnie, a former New Jersey Assistant Deputy Public Defender. Their brother is Thomas Williams Jr.
More: Wendy Williams defiant on 'Breakfast Club,' takes on court-ordered conservatorship, Diddy
All aspects of Wendy's life, including financial and living arrangements, are decided by court-appointed guardian Sabrina Morrissey. In 2022, Wendy's bank, Wells Fargo, claimed Wendy was 'the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.'
Part of the legal equation was the alleged expenditure of more than $100,000 on Uber Eats by her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., as stated in the 2024 Lifetime documentary 'Where's Wendy Williams.' Another $100,000 plus expenditure by Hunter Jr., related to a boat rental for a birthday party, was discussed in the recent TMZ Tubi documentary 'Saving Wendy.'
Alex is leading the charge to get Wendy extricated from the guardianship, which has included residency in a memory care unit of an assisted living facility in New York City.
Wendy has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, but she's disputed the diagnoses in recent interviews.
The Asbury Park and Ocean Township native was the host of TV's 'The Wendy Williams Show' from 2008 to 2021. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on New Jersey celebs.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Wendy Williams: 94-year old dad dances at birthday party
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mother-Daughter duo graduate from an HBCU
The post Mother-Daughter duo graduate from an HBCU appeared first on ClutchPoints. Mother-daughter duo Angela Jones and Jordan Jones are recent graduates of Southern University and A&M College. Graduating just one day apart, this milestone showcases their dedication to academic excellence. 'It wasn't just about walking across the stage,' Jordyn said, according to HBCU Gameday. 'It was about walking in purpose — together.' The two never planned to graduate at the same time from Southern University. What started off as separate academic paths evolved into a shared experience that included deep emotional connections, late-night study sessions, and support from one another. Although Angela received her bachelor's degree almost thirty years ago, she wanted to show that her dream had only been deferred. 'I always felt there was more I wanted to achieve academically,' she said about graduating from Southern. 'I wanted to prove to myself and to my daughter that it's never too late to pursue higher education.' Through the highs and lows of college, the Jones women were there to support one another through midterms and everything in between. Angela was actually inspired to re-enroll after witnessing her daughter's undergraduate journey. 'Supporting each other through school at the same time was a blessing,' Jordyn said. 'We leaned on each other during tough assignments and moments of doubt. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a prayer, or just knowing we weren't alone, we kept each other going.' Jordyn says that watching her mother re-enroll in school motivated her to keep going despite the obstacles. 'Her determination inspired me to keep going, even when things felt impossible,' explained Jordyn. 'She taught me that with the right mindset and faith, you can overcome anything.' 'This milestone means everything for our family,' expressed Angela. 'It represents generational growth, breaking barriers, and proving that dreams can be achieved no matter the circumstances. Growth doesn't stop at any age. Your goals are still valid, no matter how much time has passed.' Now, as educated Black women with HBCU degrees, the Joneses are enjoying their dual achievement. If they feel called back to school, the mother-daughter team hopes to encourage other families to pursue an education. Related: Former Boston College quarterback heading to Tennessee State Related: Marsai Martin talks relationship with NASCAR star Rajah Caruth
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Sinbad returns to acting 5 years after stroke: ‘It's been really difficult'
He's back! Sinbad has returned to the spotlight, starring in Tyler Perry's upcoming thriller, 'Straw.' The role marks the first time the 68-year-old comedian has been back on the screen since suffering a stroke that left him hospitalized for months five years ago. Sinbad — whose real name is David Adkins — plays Benny in the upcoming about a single mother willing to do anything to help her ill daughter. 7 Sinbad in the upcoming thriller 'Straw.' Netflix The comedian stars alongside lead actress Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor. In the first look of Sinbad's character, the usually cheery comedian looks down on his luck, sporting pale skin, a white shirt with a checkered jacket and a black beaning. Perry, 55, addressed Sinbad's comeback during a screening of the film in New York on Tuesday, June 3. 'It's so important to me, as a man, that men want to support and take care of their families,' the flick's director told Entertainment Tonight. 'I know it's been really difficult for him, so to give him this opportunity made me feel amazing,' Perry continued. 'I'm really excited for him. And he delivered.' 7 The Tyler Perry film also includes Glynn Turman, Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, Taraji P. Henson. Jackie Brown / 7 Sinbad suffered a stroke in 2020 and was hospitalized for 9 months. Getty Images Sinbad suffered a stroke in October 2020 and was confined to the hospital for nine months. 'It is out of sincere love that we share Sinbad, our beloved husband and father, is recovering from a recent stroke,' his loved ones posted to his Instagram at the time. 'Sinbad is a light source of love and joy for many generations. While he is beginning his road to recovery, we are faithful and optimistic that he will bring laughter into our hearts soon,' the statement continued. 7 The comedian had to learn how to walk again. sinbadbad/Instagram 7 Sinbad has detailed his road to recovery on social media. sinbadbad/Instagram In November 2022, 'The Sinbad Show' star gave his followers a glimpse at his recovery, with his family revealing he was still learning to walk again after his stroke. 'Survival odds from this type of event are approximately 30 percent,' they shared, adding that Sinbad's limbs were slowly regaining mobility. 'Sinbad has already beaten the odds and has made significant progress beyond what anyone expected, but there are still miles to go.' Sharing a photo of the actor using a walker to move, his team wrote, 'Sinbad appreciates all the love and support you have shown him over the last two years.' 7 This marks the first acting role for the star since his health crisis. Getty Images The family then revealed that his stroke was brought on by a blood clot, which traveled from his heart to his brain. Less than two years later, Sinbad reemerged when he joined his cast from 'A Different World' via Zoom on February 29, 2024, for a tour of historically Black colleges and universities. After getting positive feedback about the appearance, he took to social media for the first time since 2022 to express his appreciation and personally address his supporters. 7 Sinbad promised his fans in 2022, 'Expect to see more of me soon.' FOX Image Collection via Getty Images 'Thank you for your prayers, support, and positive thoughts. They've carried me this far and will see me through to the finish line. It really is a different world out here!' he wrote, along with a video message. Before ending the video, Sinbad made a promise to his loyal fans. 'Expect to see more of me soon, and don't freak out if you turn around and I'm standing right behind you. 'Sinbad, I can't believe you're here!' You can't believe it? You better believe it. Miracles happen,' he shared. 'Straw' is available to stream on Netflix starting Friday, June 6.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
'Gypsy' star Joy Woods dishes on her Tony Award nomination and advice from Audra McDonald
'Gypsy' star Joy Woods dishes on her Tony Award nomination and advice from Audra McDonald Show Caption Hide Caption 'Gypsy' star Joy Woods calls Audra McDonald 'graceful.' Here's why. Joy Woods, a first-time Tony nominee for her role in "Gypsy," chats with USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa about the musical and her co-star Audra McDonald. NEW YORK – Joy Woods is a first-time Tony Awards nominee for her performance alongside Audra McDonald in director George C. Wolfe's revival of the Broadway musical "Gypsy." Ahead of Sunday's award show, the Chicago-born actress asked McDonald, who is also nominated, how she should prepare. "(McDonald) said to expect chaos," Woods, 24, tells USA TODAY. "But it's also a celebration. So it's not a bad kind of chaos. It's one that we can look forward to." Woods also decided that she'll face the "chaos" without any family nearby. "My brother or my parents or my grandma are usually at openings with me," she says. "Those things, you get pulled in so many directions that you never really get to see them. So I was like, 'I'm going to do this alone. I'm going to take my Kind bars and my Celsius (drink) and wing it honey, and I think that's going to be really good for me." 'Gypsy' made headlines and Broadway history "Gypsy," based loosely on the memoirs of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, first came to Broadway in 1959. It and several of the subsequent revivals earned Tony recognition. The original earned eight Tony nominations, and the 1989 production won the Tony for best revival. Patti LuPone played Gypsy's mother, Rose, in the 2008 revival and won the Tony for best leading actress in a musical. This year, McDonald, the first Black actor cast in the role on Broadway, is nominated in the same category for the same role. She and LuPone have been in the headlines together recently following an interview with the New Yorker, published on May 26, in which LuPone was critical of McDonald for supporting a criticizing social media post by Broadway performer Kecia Lewis. LuPone complained that "Hell's Kitchen," a Broadway show that Lewis is in, was too "loud." At the time, LuPone was in the comedy "The Roommate," which played next door. Lewis took to social media to call LuPone's criticism and actions, "racially microaggressive." On Instagram, McDonald supported Lewis' post. LuPone responded in the New Yorker by saying McDonald "wasn't a friend." After the New Yorker feature, McDonald told "CBS Mornings" that she was unaware of any rift between her and LuPone. Then, the Broadway theater community wrote an open letter that called for the "Agatha All Along" actress and other performers who "use their platform to publicly demean, harass or disparage fellow artists" to be excluded from the Tony Awards and similar industry events. LuPone has since apologized for her remarks. In his review of the 2025 production, USA TODAY's Patrick Ryan wrote, "In casting a Black actress as Rose for the first time ever on Broadway, the show takes on subtle yet powerful new meaning, despite no changes to Arthur Laurents' original book. It's blatant, for instance, that Rose prioritizes the lighter skinned June, in hopes that she might seem more palatable to the predominantly white vaudeville circuit." Woods, the first Black performer cast as Louise on Broadway, reveals she and McDonald have had "a few" conversations about the role of race in "Gypsy." "I think she's been very graceful at letting me find this on my own," Woods says of McDonald's mentorship. "She's just the most patient, calm, giving scene partner and I felt like I was such a fish out of water starting this process. I didn't know if I was ready. I didn't know if I was right for it. "We haven't had many conversations about (my casting), but I think it's felt when we're (on stage together), which I think is really special."
