Latest news with #SavingWendy
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wendy Williams posts Mother's Day message without mentioning son Kevin Hunter Jr
Wendy Williams' official Instagram account posted a Mother's Day message on May 10 — but noticeably omitted any mention of her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., amid their ongoing strained relationship. The video, shared on her verified account, extended well wishes to mothers and thanked fans for their ongoing support. The caption read, 'HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO ALL MOMS. We'd also like to take this time to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have gotten behind exposing this horrific situation.' The message acknowledged public engagement through prayers, comments, and petitions regarding Williams' legal battles, and promised 'updates coming soon.' It is unclear whether Williams wrote the message herself or if it was managed by her social media team. The omission drew attention given Williams' troubled relationship with her son. She has accused Kevin Jr. of financially exploiting her and contributing to her court-ordered guardianship. Williams discussed the situation in an interview on the 2 Angry Men podcast with Harvey Levin and attorney Mark Geragos. She said she forgives Kevin Jr. despite the pain he caused. In the Saving Wendy documentary, she elaborated further, claiming her son 'hasn't been a good person' to her. The pair were last seen together in February during her father's 94th birthday celebration. Since then, no further updates on their relationship have been made public. Meanwhile, Williams continues challenging her guardianship, which she has likened to imprisonment.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Tacopina Confirms He Is 'Representing' Wendy Williams In Her Guardianship Case
Seasoned attorney Joe Tacopina has confirmed that he will represent Wendy Williams amid her quest to end her guardianship. The former talk show host and her family have not relented in their battle to discontinue her guardianship, which began in 2022. The latest development adds to recent positives for Williams, who has been living in an assisted living facility in New York. On Wednesday, Tacopina appeared on NewsNation's "Banfield" and shared details about the recent development in Williams' fight to end her guardianship. When asked about the case, he told the show's host Ashleigh Banfield, "I am, yes, I am representing her, I'm a personal attorney right now." Although Tacopina confirmed he will represent Williams, he noted that some things must be ironed out before it becomes official. He said, "I will be entering the guardianship case one way or another, but it's a convoluted process. The judge has to approve guardianship attorneys." Tacopina maintained his usual confidence, saying, "The last thing they want to do is see my face in that courtroom, so, yes, I will be representing her, I am her lawyer right now." Tacopina's revelation will please Williams' fans, given that she wanted him as her attorney ahead of her guardianship trial. In March, Tacopina appeared on the "2 Angry Men" podcast with Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos and revealed Williams reached out to him to represent her. The attorney expressed his rage after watching TMZ's Tubi documentary, "Saving Wendy," and described her situation as "true injustice." Tacopina, who was displeased with how Williams was treated at the New York facility, said murderers had more freedom than she did. Tacopina is a famed lawyer and has represented notable people including Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jackson, and President Donald Trump. He has a track record of success, with his latest legal victory being rapper A$AP Rocky's acquittal in his high-profile criminal case. Hence, his presence in Williams' legal team will boost her confidence ahead of a yet-to-be-scheduled jury trial to decide her guardianship. Last month, the former television personality's healthcare advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, told PEOPLE Magazine that she is "excited" for a jury to decide her fate. Monterroso explained that Williams wants to prove that she is not mentally incapacitated. She said, "This is something that she's been wanting to say, and she just can't wait to get her story out." The health advocate continued, "And at the end of the day, she's going to have a trial by jury, and it will be the jury who will be making the decision." The positives continue to come for Williams, who was the subject of a welfare check from New York agencies. The visit came after Monterroso called 911 and wrote a letter to Adult Protective Services on March 10. After the welfare check, Williams was led out of the building and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The 60-year-old revealed she passed the mental capacity evaluation during a phone call appearance on "Good Day New York" on March 11. Williams said, "I passed with flying colors!" Afterward, she asked Monterroso to "elaborate on everything," and the latter added, "She had those tests, she's been deemed she is not incapacitated. I think it's great news, and it's public, and everybody knows factually that Wendy's not incapacitated." When Williams was asked if she was satisfied with the mental evaluation tests, she responded, "Absolutely," before adding, "That is what I want, and that is what I got." Despite passing her mental capacity evaluation, Wendy Williams has to wait for a new cognitive evaluation over which her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has some level of control. Sources revealed that Williams "has been told she has to be patient, which is hard but she's staying positive." Another insider revealed Williams continues to hang on and is fully committed to regaining total control of her life. A source told In Touch, "The outpouring of support from fans and from her family who are working tirelessly to get her out of that hell hole has given her a real jolt in the arm."
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A #FreeWendy Movement Is Emerging. Will It Help Liberate The Talk Show Host?
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. For the past three years, Wendy Williams has been fighting for her life. She was placed in a court-ordered guardianship in 2022 after her bank, Wells Fargo, reportedly noticed 'a pattern of unusual and disturbing events' related to her finances. Since then, the 60-year-old talk show host, famous for her celebrity gossip, has become the subject of endless internet fodder as concerns for her health and the circumstances of her conservatorship grow. On Friday, Williams gave a new update on her guardianship battle during a phoned-in appearance on 'The View' — the closest to a return to television since her syndicated talk show concluded in June 2022 without her. She spoke at length about how she's doing and later begged her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and a judge to 'get off my neck.' This followed reports that the broadcasting giant was taken to the hospital earlier in the week and underwent a mental-capacity evaluation, which she said she 'passed with flying colors.' 'It was my choice,' Williams said of the voluntary test for her alleged 'incapacitation,' adding, 'which I don't have it.' Williams received a dementia diagnosis last year, which further complicated her guardianship case, though she's maintained that she's 'not cognitively impaired.' 'How dare they say I have incapacitation. I do not!'Wendy Williams, with her advocate Ginalisa Monterroso, speaks to @TheView about her hospital visit — where she says she received an independent evaluation — and shares an update about her life under a guardianship. — The View (@TheView) March 14, 2025 During her 'The View' interview, Williams was also asked how she's keeping her spirits up at this time, to which she vented about the spiral her life has gone down. 'I am a college-educated woman,' she started. 'I'm a global, international person, from radio to television. I've been doing important things all of my life. And these two people [the judge and her guardian] don't look like me, they don't dress like me, they don't talk like me, they don't act like me. And, I venture to say, they will never be me.' Williams concluded, 'I need a new guardian.' This is one of a few recent instances where the host has been vocal about grappling with her conservatorship — which limits her autonomy in making financial, medical and personal decisions — and how it's jolted her world. In January, Williams told Power 105.1's 'The Breakfast Club,' 'I feel like I am in prison,' referring to the wellness facility where she's been living. Williams repeated similar rhetoric in February when TMZ released a Tubi documentary called 'Saving Wendy,' where she spoke about feeling like a 'prisoner' behind the glass of her facility. Williams seemingly alluded to that disheartening revelation while speaking to 'The View,' as she noted that her recent hospital visit was because 'I just needed a breath of fresh air.' These days, Williams sounds more clear-headed about her life restrictions following Lifetime's controversial 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' docuseries, which was accused of blatantly exploiting Williams' deteriorating health at the time for entertainment's sake. Now that the host is reclaiming her voice and declaring war against her conservatorship, more and more people are starting to listen. The result? The emergence of a #FreeWendy movement. The hashtag has gained steam among supporters online in the last few months as Williams continues to voice her guardianship hardships, which are hauntingly similar to what Britney Spears experienced as she fought to get out of her own conservatorship in 2021. IRL, Williams co-signed the fan-led movement, calling it 'fabulous,' though it seems like she's still a ways away from getting her freedom. TMZ reported that Williams signed legal documents to terminate her conservatorship last month, though it remains unclear if or when that'll happen. Williams' advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, recently told the outlet that things are still up in the air pending more health tests, but if things go well, the host could be moved to a 'less restricted environment.' With more developments expected, Williams has a long battle ahead of her. Even still, she told Good Day New York that getting out of her guardianship is 'my No. 1 most important thing.' But others are prioritizing her fight, too. On Wednesday, per Page Six, Brock Pierce, a bitcoin billionaire and former child actor, offered the talk show host shelter at one of his mansions to receive 'around-the-clock hospital care' as she continues her pursuit. 'I have always admired Wendy's strength,' he shared in a statement, 'and when I saw her ask for help, it was impossible to ignore.' On Instagram, Pierce added: 'Wendy has given so much to the world as both a woman and an entertainer. Years ago, I had the privilege of being a guest on her radio show, and now I want to extend a helping hand to an old friend in her time of need.' More public support, outrage and the stamp of #FreeWendy could have a powerful impact on Williams' case, just like the #FreeBritney movement had on Spears'. If nothing else, it puts more eyeballs on the issue of celebrity conservatorships. At most, it could ensure that Williams' legacy of being a revolutionary force in radio and daytime television doesn't live in vain. The pop culture icon is at least owed that. Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment. Audience Member Sheds Light On Wendy Williams' Condition After Taping Of 'View' Interview Wendy Williams Drops 'Help' Note From Facility Window Wendy Williams Says She's Being Held 'Hostage,' Denies Cognitive Impairment
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wendy Williams' Health Update: Judge Lisa Sokoloff Threatens Restrictions
Beloved talk show host has been having health issues since 2023. Following a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, Wendy was placed under legal guardianship. A judge ordered her moved to a locked facility for dementia patients. Recently, the star of The Wendy Williams Show filmed a documentary with TMZ about her situation. I happened to watch it just the other day. She seemed rational and coherent, although understandably frustrated with her situation. But the judge in her guardianship case seems to have taken Wendy's documentary personally. Judge Lisa Sokoloff says she's tired of Wendy's 'behavior' and wants her moved to another, likely more secure, facility. Admittedly, Lifetime's Where Is Wendy Williams? documentary didn't show her in the best light. TMZ's Saving Wendy documentary shows Wendy confined to her apartment in an assisted living community, the Coterie. She did all of her interviews for the documentary by phone from behind the window of her fifth-floor apartment, which she calls a 'luxury prison.' In her current facility, Wendy is not allowed to have a cell phone and cannot receive calls. There is no internet, and she's rarely allowed visitors. Most of the residents on her floor are much older and sicker than she is, so she has little human interaction. She gets no fresh air and eats all her meals in her room alone. It is cruel to keep anyone confined under such harsh conditions. My mother had dementia the last years of her life. She lived in a locked dementia unit, but she was kept active and engaged. I was able to visit and take her to lunch often, which she really enjoyed. After viewing the documentary, Judge Sokoloff sent an email to Wendy's legal team. She wants the talk show host moved to a new facility. 'I have always contended that [Wendy] will be given the independence she can handle,' she wrote. 'I question how well she has handled the independence she has been given.' Wendy's lawyer quickly responded that it wouldn't be right to move her to an even more restrictive facility. The isolation surely has an impact on her mental and physical health. Multiple insiders believe the judge is angry about Wendy speaking to the media. The judge has repeatedly warned Wendy not to talk to the media. Why not? Has Wendy suddenly been stripped of her First Amendment rights? The judge's reasoning was revealed in another recent email to Wendy's attorney: 'Tell your client that if she wants a jury she should refrain from trying to poison the jury pool.' On March 10, Wendy was taken to the Lenox Hill Hospital, when police were called after Wendy's niece took her to dinner. Wendy reportedly passed a mental competency test 'with flying colors.' Still undergoing testing, Judge Sokoloff wants Wendy returned to the Coterie. 'The hospital wants to discharge her,' she wrote. '[Wendy's guardian] has facilities who, despite her behavior, are willing to assess her. She needs to go back to the Coterie until a new facility can be found.' Sources close to Wendy say she's terrified of losing even more of her limited independence. They're calling the judge's reaction to her talking about her situation 'pure retaliation.' TMZ Presents: Saving Wendy is now streaming on the free service Tubi. TELL US – DO YOU THINK WENDY SHOULD BE RELEASED TO A LESS RESTRICTIVE FACILITY? The post Wendy Williams' Health Update: Judge Lisa Sokoloff Threatens Restrictions appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wendy Williams Guardian Says the Media Is Wrong About Her Condition, Living Situation
TMZ has just received a letter from a lawyer repping Wendy Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and the attorney claims some of the media coverage of the guardianship and their client is "untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading." To view all content on this page click here. The attorney notes Morrissey did not create the guardianship ... the judge did. He goes on to say a judge declared Wendy legally incapacitated last August, after she was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia the year before. The lawyer says Wendy has not been kept from her family, saying she can call them and see them whenever she wants. Wendy says she has not been allowed visitors, with just a few exceptions, since entering the assisted living facility in New York. The guardian notes Wendy travelled twice to Florida to visit family. We're told Wendy claims the judge actually turned down the last visit -- for her dad's birthday -- and reversed that decision after TMZ's documentary, "Saving Wendy," dropped on Tubi. The lawyer says Wendy is receiving "excellent medical care" where there is a "spa, a workout room, excellent food, a dining room, and outside terraces." Wendy says she is often denied access to many of these perks because she can only leave the fifth floor memory unit with permission. The lawyer says Wendy's attorney tried to terminate the guardianship last year, but the judge denied it. Morrissey's lawyer says she's free to try again, and Wendy is doing just that. It's interesting ... the letter acknowledges Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is a degenerative condition that causes "a progressive decline in cognition and behavior." There is no mention of the various conversations Wendy has had on camera and on the phone in which she sounds like her old self, something that belies a degenerative condition. The letter also says symptoms of FTD include memory loss. As we reported, an independent psychiatrist examined Wendy Monday and gave her a cognitive test which she aced. The lawyer says Morrissey has "received one payment of less than $30,000 for services rendered. Since 2022, the guardian has worked without pay. Only the Court will determine how much and when Ms. Morrissey is paid for her services rendered." Finally, the lawyer warns, "False statements about Ms. Williams, her condition, and the Guardianship harm Ms. Williams and her interests, and undermine protection created by the Court for her health and welfare." Wendy, her niece, her independent caregiver and others have a very different view of the situation.
