Wendy Williams sparks bidding war for her first tell-all TV interview since guardianship began
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Wendy Williams is reportedly at the center of a fierce network battle to secure her first major on-camera sit-down since being placed under legal guardianship.
The 60-year-old former talk show host stepped away from television in 2022 due to ongoing health challenges, including Graves’ disease.
A year later, she was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia—conditions she now denies having. "I am not cognitively impaired," she first declared on Breakfast Club in March. "I feel like I'm in prison."
Wendy Williams ‘still magnetic’ despite concerns, says insider
After her show ended, her court-approved guardianship began, and Wendy Williams was moved to a care facility.
Since then, she has launched a legal effort to regain her independence, claiming in bold phone interviews that she does not suffer from cognitive issues. She mobilizes public support as she requests her conservatorship to be lifted.
Now, sources say Williams is prepared to share her side of the story in a televised interview, prompting major TV networks to compete for the opportunity.
One media insider told RadarOnline, “Wendy is still magnetic. Whether she's well or wobbly, people will tune in. That first interview? It's going to be ratings gold.”
A top TV executive, however, told the outlet, “Nobody's betting on her for a full show just yet,” noting that the interest is only for a single interview, not a full-fledged return to television.
The executive added, “Nobody thinks Wendy is reliable long-term at the moment.”
According to the report, at least three major outlets have made offers for the exclusive.
Judge says Wendy Williams’ ‘great career’ is now ‘done’
The developments come amid a legal fight in court where Judge Lisa Sokoloff recently dealt Wendy Williams a painful setback in her battle to regain control over her life and career.
The judge reportedly said that although Williams had a “great career,” it was now “done,” according to TMZ. Judge Sokoloff also criticized Williams’ family, reportedly stating they “were no good.”
She strongly criticized Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, accusing her of poisoning the jury by leaking details to the media and warning her of possible sanctions for future conduct.
Finnie also helped raise money to fight the guardianship by launching a GoFundMe page with her friend for Wendy.
The remarks reportedly “hurt Wendy deeply,” according to the sources the outlet talked to.
Back in March, Judge Sokoloff also expressed frustration over Williams' actions, threatening to move her to another facility with stricter rules after she spoke to the media about her guardianship and the Coterie facility she resides in, which Williams has described as a “luxury prison.”
Judge questions if Wendy Williams can handle ‘independence’
When her lawyer countered that it was not in her best interest to move her and that the present facility was already taking its toll on Wendy Williams.
The judge further commented on Williams’ behavior, saying in an email, “I have always contended that [Wendy] will be given the independence she can handle. I question how well she has handled the independence she has been given.”
Despite these challenges, Williams has shown interest in returning to the spotlight. However, her former producer, Suzanne Bass, shared her doubts.
“Since this diagnosis, that seems impossible. It makes me very sad," Bass said per RadarOnline.
While the judge approved Williams’ request to move from a secured memory unit to an independent living area, the court also ordered additional cognitive and neurological tests.
These evaluations are expected to play a critical role in determining whether Williams can manage her own affairs and potentially end her conservatorship.
