Wendy Williams Is in a Facility to Treat Cognitive Issues, Doing 'Really Great,' Says Family (Exclusive)
The former 'Wendy Williams Show' star's family opens up to PEOPLE about her current condition in this week's cover story ahead of new Lifetime documentary
Wendy Williams is getting the help she needs, according to her family.
In this week's issue of PEOPLE, the former talk show host's loved ones open up for the first time about her recent health struggles, ahead of Lifetime's shocking new documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?
Filmed between 2022 and 2023, the documentary, premiering Feb. 24, covers a particularly difficult period for Williams, 59, whose eponymous show ended in 2022 on the heels of the star's erratic on-set behavior and news that she was struggling with health issues.
In the new doc, Williams, who has a court-appointed legal guardian overseeing her finances and health decisions, is shown to be in the throes of alcohol addiction and struggling with her mental health, memory and ability to effectively communicate.
But now, despite the painful scenes viewers are about to see, her sister Wanda Finnie and niece Alex Finnie tell PEOPLE Williams is in a better place physically and mentally.
"I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me. She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment," says Wanda of the unknown facility Williams is in to address cognitive issues.
Due to a lack of communication with Williams' guardian, "We cannot reach out to her, but she can reach out to us. And she is in a healing place emotionally. She's not the person that you see in this film."
In regards to the shocking new film, "I'm proud of my aunt for taking control of her narrative because my aunt has always been such a public person and has been an open book, and we've all seen the images over the last few months and really few years of what has been like a spiral for my aunt," says Alex of Williams, who's an executive producer on the project. "So for her to actually put her voice in here and take ownership of what's happened, where she's at present day... I think it's powerful."
Lifetime
Wendy Williams and Alex FinnieWhile her family isn't aware of what treatments are taking place at the facility, they say whatever's happening, Williams seems much better.
"I don't know what is working, but I do know that when she did reach out to me, it was a person who is remarkably different than what we see in that documentary," says Wanda.
"She sounds really great," adds Alex. "To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is, just how focused she is on the importance of family and the reality in terms of facing and understanding where she's at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180."
For more on Wendy Williams, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday, or subscribe here.
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