News | Entertainment
19 Jan 2025 13:05
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Wendy Williams feels like she's "in prison" and insists she is "not cognitively impaired"

    The 60-year-old star - who hosted her eponymous talk show from 2008 until 2022 before Sherri Shepherd took over her slot - is under the guardianship of lawyer Sabrina Morrissey and living in a care facility, almost a year after her care team announced she had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.


    Calling into 'The Breakfast Club' on Thursday (16.01.25), she said: "I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I'm saying? But I feel like I'm in prison.

    "I'm in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s... There's something wrong with these people here on this floor."

    Primary progressive aphasia is a rare condition that affects the nervous system and inhibits the ability to communicate, while frontotemporal dementia affects personality, behaviour and language.

    The former daytime host has been under a guardianship since 2022.

    Her niece Alex also phoned into the morning show and voiced her support for her aunt.

    Williams' niece, Alex, also phoned into the show to support her aunt.

    She claimed: "My aunt sounds great. I've seen her, in a very limited capacity, but I've seen her and we're talking to her. This does not match an incapacitated person.

    "And that's why we say she's in a luxury prison, because she is being held and she is being punished for whatever reason that other people are coming up with as to why she has to be kept in this position."

    In a press release from her care team announcing her diagnosis last year, they addressed speculation after she had begun "to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions".

    They continued: "The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.

    "Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioural changes but have not yet received a diagnosis."

    Almost a year ago, Wendy's sister Wanda Finnie claimed that she wasn't made aware of her sibling's diagnosis after she was placed in a facility to be treated for cognitive issues and that the family had received no updates on Wendy since she spent time with them in Florida in 2021.

    Meanwhile, this week a source told PEOPLE: "Wendy Williams's family is unable to speak on her current condition and location due to ongoing litigation and the fact that they have largely been denied contact.

    "But they are all rooting and praying for Wendy and want to express their well wishes as she celebrates her 60th birthday. She was, is and always will be an icon."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Jan: Phoebe Dynevor hasn't set a date for her wedding yet
     19 Jan: Liam Payne's dad Geoff Payne is being sued for defamation by Roger Nores
     19 Jan: Aaliyah's Barbie doll sold out on what would have been her 46th birthday
     19 Jan: Kenny Law has died at the age of 68
     19 Jan: David Lynch has died at the age of 78
     19 Jan: Jessica Alba will always have "love, kindness and respect" for Cash Warren
     19 Jan: Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and her publicist for $400 million
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Ben Richards has opened his Freeride World Tour ski season in style with a podium finish overnight in Spain More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    An investment in predicting and mitigating influenza More...



     Today's News

    Sailing:
    The Black Foils are getting to grips with the Auckland Harbour conditions heading into day two of the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix 12:46

    Environment:
    Optimism in the South Island's Golden Bay, where a second refloat attempt is underway for a pod of stranded whales 12:36

    Politics:
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti could be sliding down the Cabinet ranking's in this afternoon's reshuffle 12:36

    Entertainment:
    Phoebe Dynevor hasn't set a date for her wedding yet 12:35

    Skiing:
    Spanish ski lift collapse injures dozens at Astún resort in the Pyrenees 12:16

    Entertainment:
    Liam Payne's dad Geoff Payne is being sued for defamation by Roger Nores 12:05

    Entertainment:
    Aaliyah's Barbie doll sold out on what would have been her 46th birthday 11:35

    Politics:
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti could be stripped of the portfolio in today's Cabinet reshuffle 11:06

    Entertainment:
    Kenny Law has died at the age of 68 11:05

    Soccer:
    Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised the depth of his squad as the Reds forge a six-point lead at the top of the English Premier League 10:46


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd