Wendy Williams Lifetime documentary will air despite her guardian's lawsuit, judge rules
A New York judge has ruled that Lifetime may go forward with releasing its documentary about former television host Wendy Williams despite a lawsuit filed against A&E Television Networks in an attempt to halt its premiere.
Williams' temporary guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, filed a lawsuit under seal against the network in New York County Supreme Court Thursday, USA TODAY has confirmed.
The case says Morrissey is "acting in her capacity as Temporary Guardian of W.W.H." with the initials presumably for Wendy Williams Hunter, the 59-year-old host's legal name from her marriage to ex-husband Kevin Hunter. The lawsuit also names Entertainment One Reality Productions, the documentary's producer, as a defendant.
USA TODAY has reached out to Morrissey's attorney for comment.
The Friday order signed by an appellate judge, who was reviewing a petition to block the documentary's release, says such a ruling would be an “impermissible prior restraint on speech that violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
The ruling clears Lifetime's two-night broadcast plan for “Where is Wendy Williams?,” which includes footage of the former talk show host and interviews. In a statement provided to USA TODAY Friday, A&E said Lifetime has appeared in court and confirmed the "Where is Wendy Williams?" documentary "will air this weekend as planned."
Wendy Williams thanks fans after her aphasia, frontotemporal dementia diagnosis become public
In a statement shared with USA TODAY Friday evening by Williams' "care team," the former TV host expressed her "immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)."
"Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion. I hope that others with FTD may benefit from my story," Williams' statement reads. "I want to also thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD."
She concludes, "I continue to need personal space and peace to thrive. Please just know that your positivity and encouragement are deeply appreciated."
Morrissey on Thursday sued for injunction relief and a temporary restraining order, both measures that can be used to keep a party from doing a certain action.
Lifetime is set to release the two-part Lifetime documentary "Where is Wendy Williams?" which traces Williams' abrupt exit from public life, Saturday and Sunday. The network previously aired a biopic about the talk show host's life, "Wendy Williams: The Movie," and a documentary, "Wendy Williams: What a Mess," both in 2021.
The documentary trailer teases harrowing behind-the-scenes footage of Williams struggling with her health, as well as candid new interviews with her, marking a rare public appearance for the former talk show host. At one point, she clutches a pillow as she begins to cry.
"I have no money," Williams says. "I'm going to tell you something. If it happens to me, it could happen to you."
In 2022, Williams was placed under a financial guardianship. Wells Fargo argued at the time that she was an "incapacitated person," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Everything we know: Wendy Williams diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia
Wendy Williams documentary to air after lawsuit, dementia diagnosis
According to Lifetime, cameras have been chronicling Williams' efforts to "reclaim her life and legacy" for almost two years.
"The documentary provides a raw, honest and unfiltered reality of Wendy's life after she was placed under financial guardianship, shedding light on the vulnerabilities that has turned Wendy into the Hot Topic herself," the network said. "Suffering mental and physical issues, Wendy's delicate state of mind, erratic behavior and declining health were all captured by the cameras."
Last year, Williams was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, according to a Thursday press release from her representatives.
"Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires," the press release said.
Talk show host Wendy Williams diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia
Wendy Williams' documentary comes after abrupt talk show end in 2022
In March 2019, Williams announced she was living in a sober house. Then, a month later, Williams filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage to Hunter, a co-executive producer of Williams' long-running daytime talk show "The Wendy Williams Show" also known as "Wendy." The talk show host and Hunter share one adult child, Kevin Hunter Jr.
Two years later, in fall 2021, "Wendy" experienced several production delays. A rotating slate of guest hosts stepped in to help host the show including Leah Remini, comedian Michael Rapaport and former co-host of "The View" Sherri Shepherd. "Wendy" was canceled in 2022 after Williams took medical leave during a battle with the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease.
Later, the production company behind "Wendy" replaced the program with "Sherri" featuring Shepherd in the same timeslot in September 2022.
When does the Wendy Williams documentary air? How to watch 'Where is Wendy Williams?'
"Where is Wendy Williams?" will air on Lifetime on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. On Friday, the network will air Wendy’s biopic, "Wendy Williams: The Movie" and her documentary, "Wendy Williams: What a Mess."
Contributing: Jay Stahl, Brendan Marrow and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wendy Williams' guardian files lawsuit to stop Lifetime documentary
