Wendy Williams’ fans are expressing concern over what they perceive as a situation akin to Britney Spears’ conservatorship. In 2022, Williams voluntarily entered a guardianship aimed at managing her finances following various health challenges after her talk show concluded. However, insiders close to the television personality are now raising alarms that her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, may be exploiting her circumstances and exerting excessive control over her life.
People in Williams’ circle have drawn comparisons between her current guardianship and the controversial conservatorship that enveloped Britney Spears, prompting a significant public outcry. A source close to the situation stated, “They’ve taken everything from her,” revealing deep-seated worries about Williams’ lack of autonomy.
Speaking on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, Wendy, now 60, opened up about her guardianship experience. “I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I’m saying? But I feel like I’m in prison,” she said, refuting claims about her mental state. She described her situation under Morrissey’s guardianship as “emotional abuse,” emphasizing her desire for freedom.
Wendy’s health and personal life have been tumultuous over the years. Her daytime talk show “The Wendy Williams Show,” which debuted in 2008, was immensely popular but was plagued by her personal struggles, including mental health concerns and health issues revealed in recent years. In 2017, during a live Halloween episode, she fainted on stage, raising eyebrows about her well-being. This incident marked a turning point, as her vulnerabilities became increasingly scrutinized.
After Williams’ show ended in 2021, it continued without her until its cancellation in 2022, during which she reportedly reached out to network executives multiple times without clarity. In 2022, she was diagnosed with Lymphedema and Graves’ Disease, showing severe impacts on her health. Moreover, in early 2024, her team disclosed shocking developments about her mental health — she had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, conditions that severely affect communication and cognitive functions.
In a legal complaint from March 2022, Williams alleged that a doctor communicated with her bank without her knowledge, suggesting a breach of trust and privacy that could have influenced her guardianship situation. This arrangement has reportedly limited her contact with family and access to her finances, with Williams recently claiming she controls merely $15 and has lost touch with her beloved pets.
Those who have visited Wendy in the wellness facility have said she appears to be improving, suggesting she should have more freedom to interact with family and have a say in her own life. As the legal battles surrounding her guardianship continue, supporters have even launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Wendy Williams’ Fight for Independence,” raising over $13,000 in hopes of aiding her quest for autonomy.
In her ongoing struggle for independence, Williams stands as an emblem of an individual in a complex battle against external control, reminiscent of the struggles faced by other high-profile figures. The unfolding narrative raises critical questions about guardianship laws and the rights of individuals facing health challenges, igniting conversations around autonomy, mental health, and personal freedom. As more revelations come to light, fans and advocates alike are hopeful for Wendy’s eventual liberation from the constraints that have led many to demand, using the hashtag #FreeWendy, greater agency over her life.