Wendy Williams says she feels like she's 'in prison,' inside NY facility

Former talk show host Wendy Williams broke her silence Thursday, calling from a New York facility she described as "prison."

"I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s," Williams, 60, explained during an interview with iHeartRadio's "The Breakfast Club." "There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor."

"My life is f--- up," Wendy cried. 

Wendy Williams

FILE - TV personality Wendy Williams attends the 2019 NYWIFT Muse Awards at the New York Hilton Midtown on Dec. 10, 2019 in New York City.

Williams described living without access to modern devices like a smartphone, iPad, or laptop, leaving her with only a TV she was able to purchase. She also revealed she’s been given pills without explanation. 

Her niece, Alex Finneie, backed up Wendy’s claims, sharing that the former TV personality isn’t able to leave the facility and has been receiving medication without clear reasons for the last three years. "She can call us, but we can’t call her," Finneie added.

Why you should care:

What is a conservatorship?

Fans gather outside in support of the 'Free Britney' movement during a hearing to end the conservatorship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 2021. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)

If someone has severely reduced mental capacity, a court can authorize others to make financial and life decisions for them, sometimes without their consent. This typically applies to people with developmental disabilities or age-related conditions like dementia.

Despite being under guardianship, Williams insisted she was "not cognitively impaired" and voiced frustration about her conditions. "Where I am… you have to get keys to unlock the door to press the elevator to go downstairs, first of all," she said. "Second of all, these people here, everybody here is like nursemaids, so to speak."

What they're saying:

Who is Sabrina Morrisey?

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 22: Wendy Williams is seen in SoHo on March 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

Williams pointed to her legal guardian, who Charlamagne tha God says is Sabrina Morrisey, as a major obstacle. Wendy refused to say the name of her guardian. 

Both she and Finneie allege that her guardian has made it difficult for Wendy’s friends and family to contact her. 

"The last three years I’ve spent my birthdays by myself," Williams said.

The backstory:

Is Wendy Williams sick?

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 28: Wendy Williams are Ray J are seen walking in soho on June 28, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

In Feb. 2024, Williams' team announced that she’d also been battling progressive aphasia.

The first two episodes of the documentary "Where is Wendy Williams" premiered, highlighting her struggles and shining a light on her health challenges. Williams’ representatives revealed she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023. 

During the interview, Williams confirmed she’d seen the documentary, a suggestion from her guardian, and adamantly refuted claims that she was "cognitively impaired and incapacitated."

Dig deeper:

Wendy's battle with lymphedema 

Williams has faced a string of health and personal challenges over the years, including a lymphedema diagnosis in 2019. The chronic condition, which causes tissue swelling due to a buildup of protein-rich fluid, most commonly affects the arms and legs but can also impact other parts of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, lymphedema results from a compromised lymphatic system.

Wendy's struggle with alcohol addiction

Williams’ struggles with alcohol reportedly worsened during the end of her marriage to Kevin Hunter, who fathered a child with another woman while still married to her. Her longtime friend, Regina Shell, claimed this period marked the peak of Wendy’s alcohol dependency.

In 2019, Williams entered a treatment facility and lived in a sober home while filming her talk show. She later entered a wellness center for two months during the documentary’s production but admitted she was unsure why she’d been admitted.

As Wendy Williams continues to fight for her independence, her story raises questions about guardianship systems and the challenges faced by those under restrictive care.

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