Wendy Williams appears upbeat as she is spotted for the first time in over a year at NJ holistic store

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: Wendy Williams made a rare appearance after more than a year, stepping out at a holistic store in New Jersey.

Her recent sighting marks a significant moment for the former talk show host amid her ongoing health challenges and extended absence from the public eye.

Wendy Williams looks 'sharp, upbeat, and aware' in recent sighting 

An employee at Bolingo Balance in Newark shared exclusively with Page Six that Wendy Williams, accompanied by her son Kevin Hunter Jr, visited the store owned by Victor Bowman, about a week ago.

Kevin Hunter Jr is Wendy Williams' only child, born on August 18, 2000, to Williams and her ex-husband Kevin Hunter Sr.

On August 19, Bowman shared a photo on Facebook capturing a beaming Wendy Williams during her visit.

The former talk show host, clutching a bouquet of vibrant roses and a large green shopping bag, posed alongside Bowman, as fans eagerly filled the comments section with remarks expressing their excitement.

During her visit, the employee described her as “sharp, upbeat, and aware,” with a “bubbly” demeanor. She even took time to sit down with Bowman to chat about the health products.

The iconic gossip queen, 60, was also described as “engaging” but not entirely familiar with the store’s offerings, so her son took the lead in explaining things, the worker shared with the outlet.

The employee revealed that Bowman provided Williams with several herbal supplements, including iron-rich herbs like sarsaparilla and capsules believed to enhance hormonal balance and mental well-being.

“She talked about circulation improvement but didn’t want to get into too much detail on their first meeting and plans to come back in the near future,” the employee stated.

Bowman gifted Williams with a selection of holistic products, including iron-rich herbs like sarsaparilla, contribo, and bottano oil, which he noted is “great for skin.”

Additionally, she received capsules which are believed to support hormonal balance and mental wellness.

Williams, who hosted the 'Wendy Williams Show' for over a decade, ended her show in 2022 due to physical and mental health struggles, maintaining a low profile since March 2023, the last time she was publicly photographed, as per Page Six.

Wendy Williams' health struggles with aphasia and dementia

In February 2024, Wendy Williams courageously shared her diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, additionally thanking her fans for supporting her during dark times.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Williams said, “I want to say I have 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," she continued.

Her care team also announced her diagnosis to address and correct inaccurate rumors about her health.

According to BBC News, a statement said: "As Wendy's fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves' Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health."

"Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions."

Primary progressive aphasia challenges language skills, making it difficult to communicate, while frontotemporal dementia affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, leading to changes in personality and language difficulties. 

Wendy Williams' family reveals heartbreaking toll of her health

When 'Wendy Williams’ talk show was canceled in 2022, her niece and goddaughter, Alex Finnie, was the first to break the news to her.

The show aired from July 14, 2008, to June 17, 2022, becoming a significant platform for celebrity gossip, entertainment news, and Williams' signature segment, 'Hot Topics.'

In an interview with CNN, Finnie recalled carefully explaining the situation to Williams, “I got serious, and I said, ‘I want to really explain something to you so that you can get this',” Finnie recalled in an interview with CNN in February.

However, Williams struggled to grasp the reality, insisting that the show was still ongoing. It took several conversations with show executives for her to fully understand the cancellation.

“’There’s no more ‘Wendy Williams Show'. They decided to cancel it. After so many fabulous seasons, this curtain has come down.’”

”Are you aware?” Finnie recalled asking her aunt. “And I remember her saying, ’What are you talking about? Of course, I have the show'.”

“It took a little bit of convincing and conversations with the powers that be from her show for her to really understand that the show is no more,” Finnie added.

Before her diagnosis, Wendy Williams faced various health challenges that led to missed show tapings, ultimately contributing to the end of her 13-season run.

After stepping away from the spotlight, Williams largely disappeared from public view.

Her family's efforts to support her are now detailed in a new Lifetime documentary, 'Where is Wendy Williams?'. The film offers a raw and honest portrayal of Williams' recent struggles, including memory loss, mood swings, and alcohol abuse.

In several unsettling scenes, Williams is shown passed out with an empty liquor bottle beside her, and production was halted for months due to serious concerns about her well-being after producers found her in a disheveled state in her New York City apartment.

At the time of her diagnosis, Williams was reportedly in an undisclosed treatment center where her family claimed they were unable to reach her.

In 2022, she was placed under court-ordered guardianship after Wells Fargo raised concerns about her well-being, suggesting she was a victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.

Despite the guardianship, her family stated in July that they were still denied contact with her, Page Six reported.