by Taijuan Moorman
Wendy Williams is giving a rare update on her condition.
The legendary talk show host, who has been living in a luxury dementia facility for over two years, opened up in a The Cut cover story on the complex fight surrounding her guardianship.
Williams – who, amid a reported frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, has long maintained she is in the highly-restrictive facility unnecessarily and is "not cognitively impaired" – spoke to the outlet over the phone for the story. She called the facility a "dump" before asking, "Did you see the people? The elderly people? Why do I want to look at that?"
Williams, 61, has lamented feeling like she's in "prison" in the facility, which doesn't allow visitors. But in recent months, she has been seen out more, including at New York Fashion Week. When asked about getting out socializing, the spirited personality butt in, remarking, "You know I've been out. So obviously I do go out."
She also explained that she's been attending a "megachurch" in Brooklyn, New York. "It gives me faith and keeps me very well in touch with God and myself," she said.
Williams was able to call The Cut's contributing features writer Jessica Bennett through her room's landline, which can only make outgoing calls. During the conversation, Williams revealed she has been permitted by the judge overseeing her guardianship to have an iPad, which she has used to catch up on news about herself and listen to her old radio show.
The writer, who visited the high-end facility and called it "impressive," got a glimpse of Williams in the gym and noted "she looked good." When the writer brought this up, it spurred the famously provocative TV host to mention her lip and breast implants, remarking: "And you know what? It's still hitting and holding."
Friends, son say Wendy Williams looks 'good' amid guardianship, push for her freedom
Various friends who have seen Williams out in recent months or spoken to her have remarked on how "good" she looks and sounds, especially compared to the haunting Lifetime documentary, "Where is Wendy Williams?" shot in the months before entering the facility and in her last years on "The Wendy Williams Show."
Max Tucci, Williams' friend who recently hosted her at his New York City restaurant Tucci, told the outlet, "She looks amazing."
"This is, like, where billionaires send their grandmothers," he added of the facility, before backing Williams up. "She doesn't need it. Wendy doesn't lie."
Shawn Zanotti – her publicist, whom the outlet notes errantly inquired about how much they would pay to speak to Williams – also spoke positively about Williams' condition and said she doesn't believe Williams has dementia, noting, "This woman doesn't miss a beat."
Williams' last years on "The Wendy Williams Show" were reportedly marked by significant changes to her behavior and health, and difficulty producing the show around her. But Suzanne Bass, "The Wendy Williams Show" former co-executive producer, told The Cut that Williams looks "the best I've seen her in years."
"She's vibrant now. She sounds clear, and she sounds excited for her future. She wants her old life back," she added, noting she deserves at least a bit more freedom. "There's no reason for her to be locked up."
The Cut also spoke to Williams' son, whom they note Williams has claimed stole from her.
In the phone interview, Kevin Hunter Jr. seemed "genuine and sad" and asserted he has not stolen from his mother, but was trying to stay clear of the drama. "I'm really not trying to be too caught up in this. I'm trying to build, carve out my own path right now, away from everything," he told the outlet. "I just want her to get out of this. Because it's not right."
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Wendy Williams speaks out in rare comments amid guardianship
See Also:
Wendy Williams will be deposed in Lifetime documentary case despite dementia diagnosis: report
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