Wendy Williams’ health remains a point of contention between the former talk show host and her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey. Morrissey recently filed a court request for a new medical evaluation of Williams, following the 60-year-old’s public denial of having frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and being incapacitated.
Williams vehemently refuted the diagnosis during a February 5th appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show. “I don’t have frontotemporal dementia…it’s disgusting,” she stated, emphasizing the rarity of the condition. She further asserted, “I’m not incapacitated. I am not a baby.” This public declaration directly contradicts Morrissey’s claims regarding Williams’ health.
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The conflict extends to a lawsuit filed by Morrissey against A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment, challenging the portrayal of Williams in the docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams?. Morrissey alleges the documentary exploited Williams and depicted her in a demeaning manner, referencing her purported FTD diagnosis. The February 2024 filing criticizes the media companies for their “brutally calculated, deliberate actions” in knowingly exploiting Williams. A&E has since filed a counterclaim, denying these allegations.
Williams expressed her own disgust with the docuseries, stating she watched it only once with her guardian and found it appalling. She questioned the events depicted in the documentary and expressed confusion about the situation.
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Despite the legal dispute, Williams maintained her desire to continue working with Lifetime, citing past positive collaborations. Following Williams’ statements on The Breakfast Club, and similar assertions on The Don Lemon Show, Morrissey filed the new court request for a medical evaluation. The filing highlights Williams’ public denial of dementia and incapacitation, expressing concern over her understanding of her own best interests. Morrissey explained the lawsuit against A&E aimed to secure financial compensation for Williams’ substantial healthcare needs.
Morrissey’s filing cites a formal diagnosis from Weill Cornell Medical Center, asserting Williams suffers from FTD and primary progressive aphasia (PPA), alongside a legal declaration of Williams’ incapacitation. According to the Mayo Clinic, FTD encompasses a group of brain diseases impacting the frontal and temporal lobes, while PPA is a rare neurological disorder affecting communication abilities. The filing emphasizes the progressive and incurable nature of these conditions.
Morrissey’s request for a new medical evaluation seeks comprehensive neurological and psychological testing by a specialist. This evaluation aims to address concerns about Williams’ capacity to make informed decisions regarding her health and legal matters. The filing stresses the importance of a professional assessment, rather than relying on public speculation, to determine Williams’ ability to understand her own best interests. Morrissey stated she would not pursue further litigation if a new examination determines Williams possesses the mental capacity to direct the lawsuit against A&E.
