Wendy Williams apologizes for slurring her way through show, blames painkillers
Wendy Williams must really be looking forward to her holiday break.
On Thursday’s Wendy Williams Show, fans noticed that she appeared to be slurring her words. It was so bad that some viewers even wondered if she had suffered a stroke.
The TV personality later took to social media to apologize and to say that she’s been dealing with health issues. The slurring could be attributed to pain medication she’s been taking after she fractured her shoulder over the weekend, she explained. Additionally, she continues to deal with her hyperthyroidism.
A post shared by Wendy Williams (@wendyshow) on Dec 20, 2018 at 3:46pm PST
“I sincerely apologize if you feel that today’s show was less than stellar,” Williams started her post. “I’m on your TV screens every day wanting to spread laughter, entertainment and cheer. As I reported earlier in the week, I have a hairline fracture on my upper arm, which hurts like hell. I’ve never broken a bone or experienced a fracture in my life. In the key place where the fracture is, and trying to scurry around and do too much, I am now paying the price. I’ve never taken a pain medication in my life (except when I got snatched over 20 years ago) until this week. I did that to power through and try to deliver a great show for you, against the better judgement of the many people around me who genuinely care for my well-being. I really do ride or die for my craft and give 200%.”
Williams went on to mention her thyroid condition. “For all my fellow thyroid sufferers, you know what the deal is,” she wrote. “For those that don’t: I encourage you to please read up.”
Despite her apology, Williams wrote she has “no regrets,” though she appreciates “everyone’s genuine concern for my wellness and care. I promise you a better Wendy in 2019. I will get some much needed rest and healing over these next couple of weeks. (Yes I am definitely juicing over the next couple of weeks). Sorry again.”
The first sign of trouble was on Monday, when a rerun of her show aired, alarming fans. When Williams returned to the show Tuesday, she explained about her shoulder injury. But Thursday’s show had fans worried.
Did anyone watch @WendyWilliams today? What is going on? In all the years I’ve been watching her, I’ve never heard her talk as she is, or behave as she did. She sounds as if she’s recovering from a stroke; her speech is so altered. Does anyone know what’s going on? God Bless her.
— Shelbie & Brie (@BeautyDaughtMom) December 21, 2018
I saw hot topics today and it was like her tongue froze up or something #WendyWilliams
— Bex (@SFBEX) December 21, 2018
Something is really wrong with Wendy Williams
— Hello?! Is This 911? (@Dzzle_D) December 20, 2018
#WendyWilliams Wendy should not have been on the air today! Something is clearly not right with her
— A☆ (@awhellnoo) December 21, 2018
omg gosh! its like she is no longer able to annunciate words. some words…its like she is not even saying them but rather breathing through the sounds.
— Quetta says (@rjanquetta) December 20, 2018
WTF is wrong with @WendyWilliams Slurred speech, sitting all the time #CrisisIntervention ???
— John Dedie (@JohnDediePolSci) December 20, 2018
#WendyWilliams slurring today reminded me of #JessicaSavitch and her slurring last news show before she died. https://t.co/SdnB14TMyQ pic.twitter.com/qA2nKz28Rs
— Paula Neal Mooney (@PAULANEALMOONEY) December 21, 2018
After Williams’s post admitting that she had taken pain pills, many fans said they could relate.
I really feel for Wendy Williams. I struggle with lupus and I don’t think people understand certain illnesses and how much certain diseases truly can weaken your body and make you more at risk to breaking bones or falling, or have neurological issues. get well @WendyWilliams
— Proud Mamax3 (@mamax3xo) December 21, 2018
I have a Thyroid problem and it sucks man, I’ve fallen in the shower several times, lost the ability to write and can’t walk far or fast, if she has Graves’ disease that’s multiplied by a 100, it ain’t no joke
— Danielle (@Deezerella) December 21, 2018
William also received a flood of well-wishes.
I hope #WendyWilliams takes a nice break and gets well 💜 We love u wendy! U r the queen of tea and u deliver it fabulously dahling. 💜 @WendyWilliams 👑
— ZamZam (@Somali_Goddess) December 21, 2018
Love you @WendyWilliams
— James Harness (@JamesHarness) December 21, 2018
Get well soon @WendyWilliams! Come to #Houston we have the best medical center in the world the @TXMedCenter! ??🙏
— Tyrone Willis (@SayTyrone) December 21, 2018
I hope #WendyWilliams takes a nice break and gets well 💜 We love u wendy! U r the queen of tea and u deliver it fabulously dahling. 💜 @WendyWilliams 👑
— ZamZam (@Somali_Goddess) December 21, 2018
This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised over Williams’s health. Earlier this year, she took a three-week hiatus from her show to treat her Graves’ disease. Last year, during her Halloween episode, she fainted. That time, she said that she simply overheated under her costume.
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