Wendy Williams’ guardian claimed A+E Networks “shamelessly exploits” the former talk show host in Lifetime’s “Where Is Wendy Williams?” documentary.
Newly unsealed court documents obtained by Page Six reveal Williams’ appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, accused A+E Networks of “humiliating” the media personality by filming her “in an obviously disabled state,” which “cruelly implies” that her “disoriented demeanor is due to substance abuse and intoxication.”
Morrissey alleged that Williams, 59, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia and aphasia in May 2023, was told the two-part series, which aired Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, would paint her “in a positive manner like a phoenix rising from the ashes.”
In unsealed New York State Superior Court documents obtained by Page Six, Morrissey accused A+E Networks of “humiliating” Williams.Lifetime
She alleged the TV personality was filmed “in an obviously disabled state,” which “implies” her “disoriented demeanor is due to substance abuse and intoxication.”Lifetime
She further claimed that when A+E Networks released the trailer for the documentary on Feb. 2 they benefitted from “unconscionably exploiting [William’s] condition, and perhaps even disclosing her personal and private medical diagnosis, for perceived entertainment value and the prurient interest of television viewers,” per the documents.
“This blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition who is beloved by millions within and outside of the African American community is disgusting, and it cannot be allowed,” the filing read.
Morrissey’s lawsuit was originally filed in the New York County Supreme Court on Feb. 20 — after the trailer was dropped — in an attempt to get a judge to order a temporary restraining order against the release of the documentary.
Morrissey explained Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia and aphasia.Lifetime
The guardian furthered she was told the former talk show host would be portrayed “in a positive manner like a phoenix rising from the ashes.”Lifetime
According to the documents, A+E Networks started filming Williams following a signed contract in January 2023.
However, Morrissey argued that Williams lacked the capacity to enter the agreement and sign on to the documentary as an executive producer due to her condition.
She then referenced Williams’ court-ordered guardianship, which she entered in February 2022, adding the former TV host was “incapable of managing her own business and personal affairs,” the documents read.
Morrissey further said Williams nor herself approved of how the media mogul was filmed and portrayed in the trailer and documentary after being told it would serve as a comeback following the cancellation of “The Wendy Williams Show,” which ran from 2008 to 2022.
Morrissey slammed A+E Networks for “unconscionably exploiting [William’s] condition” for the benefit of audience interest when the trailer for the two-part series was released on Feb. 2.Lifetime
“This blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition who is beloved by millions within and outside of the African American community is disgusting,” the filing reads.Lifetime
Additionally, Williams’ manager for the project, William Selby, claimed he didn’t review A+E Networks’s trailer or the Lifetime documentary, per the documents.
A source close to the matter also questioned who “approved the final product, if not Wendy or her guardian,” slamming A+E Networks for moving forward with the project given Willams’ condition.
“Anyone with eyes could see that something was very wrong with Wendy,” a source told Page Six. “The producers knew or should have known that Wendy was suffering from dementia during filming.
“They certainly knew that she suffered from dementia before they aired the docuseries because it was announced by press release.”
“It cannot be allowed,” the filing continues.Lifetime
Morrissey originally filed the lawsuit on Feb. 20 — weeks after the trailer dropped.WireImage
The “Where Is Wendy Williams?” documentary showed Williams constantly drinking despite her known issues with alcohol abuse, crying over the details of her finances and becoming irritable with those around her.
Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., also appeared in the series, claiming his mother’s dementia diagnosis is due to her alcoholism.
At the time, she attempted to get a temporary restraining order to get a judge to prevent the release of the docuseries.Lifetime
Morrissey claimed A+E Networks didn’t get her approval on the content added in the trailer or the documentary.Lifetime
“[Doctors] basically said that because she was drinking so much, it was starting to affect her headspace and her brain,” the 23-year-old alleged. “So, I think they said it was alcohol-induced dementia.”
While Morrisey proved to have an issue with the series, Williams’ family thinks otherwise.
Last month, Alex Finnie — Williams’ niece — allegedly claimed her aunt told her family “now is the perfect time” to do the documentary so she could take “ownership” of her story.
“That conversation [about her wanting to do the doc] was crystal clear,” Finnie told ABC News.
The two-part series shows Williams breaking down over her finances and drinking despite her past alcohol abuse.Janet Mayer / SplashNews.com
A source close to the matter slammed A+E Networks for releasing the series, telling us, “Anyone with eyes could see that something was very wrong with Wendy.”Lifetime
Finnie further said her family wanted the media to shed a spotlight on Williams’ guardianship, claiming they’ve been pushed out of her life.
“Family was shut out,” she explained. “Her guardian has not released that information [pertaining to where Williams is] to us. I haven’t seen her in about nine months.”
Williams’ relatives allegedly don’t know the TV star’s whereabouts despite her occasionally talking to them on the phone.
