Wendy Williams’ Guardian Files Amended Lawsuit Against A+E Networks, Cites “Exploitation”
Wendy Williams’ guardian has filed an amended lawsuit against A+E Networks and eOne over allegedly “exploiting” the media mogul in 2024 documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?
The guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, claims that Williams’ agreement signature for the doc “does not appear to be genuine” and claims there is “no evidence” that she signed the contract on January 25, 2023. She adds that WIlliams’ signature on the contract “bears a printed, not cursive signature purporting to be the signature of [Wendy Williams], but looks nothing like W.W.H.’s signature.”
“By willfully taking advantage of a severely impaired, incapacitated person, Defendants have made millions on W.W.H.’s back, while W.W.H. has received a paltry $82,000,” the lawsuits states.
Per the suit, Williams “was incapacitated and unable to consent at the time the Contract or its amendments were executed, even if she had signed it (which she did not).” It also cites that the 60-year-old has “primary progressive aphasia” and “frontotemporal dementia.”
“No person who witnessed [Williams] in these circumstances could possibly have believed that she was capable of consenting either to an agreement to film, or to the filming itself,” it states.
Morrissey claims she attempted to stop the airing of the documentary earlier this year ahead of its premiere date, arguing that it was a “blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition.” Although the order was initially granted, a New York judge reversed the appeal and the doc was able to air.
In the project’s defense, A+E attorneys argued earlier this year that the program showed Williams’ “own journey through the guardianship process.” The attorney added that “only after seeing the Documentary’s trailer and realizing her role in [Wendy Williams ] life may be criticized, did Ms. Morrissey enlist the courts to unconstitutionally silence that criticism.”
Morrissey is now seeking a “court declaration that Williams’ contract is null and void, unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, disgorgement of proceeds from the documentary project and an injunction prohibiting additional airings of it” and more.
“No person who witnessed [Williams] in these circumstances could possibly have believed that she was capable of consenting either to an agreement to film, or to the filming itself,” the lawsuit states. “The profits from the Program should go to Wendy Williams, who will need significant funding to provide for proper medical care and supervision for the rest of her life.”
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