The two-part Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? will chronicle a turbulent period in the former talk show host’s life, but two family members confirm that she is currently in a better place and receiving the necessary assistance.
Williams’ sister, Wanda Finnie, and niece, Alex Finnie, discussed her treatment at an undisclosed facility for cognitive issues in a recent interview with PEOPLE. “I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me,” Wanda commented. “She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment.”
She further stated, “While we are unable to communicate with her, she is capable of initiating communication with us.” Moreover, she is in an emotional state of healing. “She does not resemble the individual you see in this film.”
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Intent of ‘Where is Wendy Williams’ Show
Where is Wendy Williams, which airs on February 24 and 25? intends to investigate Williams’ medical problems, such as substance misuse, memory loss, and the autoimmune ailment Graves’ disease. Williams is the project’s executive producer. Williams is shown in previously published footage yelling at family members and sobbing into a pillow, highlighting her progressively more vulnerable state before being sent to the facility.
Citing “serious” health issues, Williams took a leave of absence from The Wendy Williams Show in 2021; the show ended in 2022. Williams had her bank accounts stopped that same year, per court documents PEOPLE was able to obtain, following an accusation from her financial adviser that she was not of “sound mind.” Her finances and health are currently under the supervision of a legal guardian designated by the court.
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Read What Williams’ Niece’s Saying About Her
Williams’ niece Alex told PEOPLE that her aunt “sounds really great” these days. It’s like a 180 degree turn around to hear my aunt now in terms of how articulate she is, how serious she takes about the value of family, and how realistic she is about facing and comprehending her current physical, mental, and emotional state.”
Wanda said, “I don’t know what is working, but I do know that when she did reach out to me, it was a person who is remarkably different than what we see in that documentary.”
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Despite the encouraging developments, Wanda stated that the family does not understand why Williams was given guardianship by the court and that the court files are confidential.
“All I know is that Wendy and her team walked into the courtroom one way, and they walked out, and the family is completely excluded,” she stated. “How did she go from being our beloved aunt or sister who is well one minute to someone who is constantly in and out of the hospital? In what way is that system superior to the one the family could implement? This structure is flawed.”