Wendy Williams is feeling the love — but still wants her privacy.
via: People
In a statement exclusively obtained by PEOPLE on Friday, Williams, 59, thanked fans for their "overwhelming" support in the hours following the news.
"I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)," she said. "Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion."
"I hope that others with FTD may benefit from my story. I want to also thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD," Williams added. "I continue to need personal space and peace to thrive. Please just know that your positivity and encouragement are deeply appreciated."
Williams' care team announced her dementia diagnosis on Thursday. In a press release, the former talk show host's team said she received her diagnosis last year and the conditions “have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life.”
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the team said in a statement. “Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”
According to Mayo Clinic, aphasia "robs you of the ability to communicate" and "can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written." The group adds that the condition "typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative)."
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an all-encompassing term for a group of brain disorders that threatens the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This means that parts of these lobes atrophy, and the shrinking of these areas can cause speech issues, emotional problems and changes in personality. Other symptoms can include loss of motor skills — problems walking, swallowing or muscle spasms. Symptoms tend to get worse over time. Patients typically begin to notice symptoms between 40 - 65 years of age, but it can affect people who are younger. It is the most common form of dementia for people under 60.
Williams has dealt with a number of ongoing health issues, including Graves' disease, lymphedema and alcohol abuse. She entered a facility to treat "cognitive issues" in April 2023 and has been appointed a court-appointed legal guardian.
Her sister Wanda Finnie and niece Alex Finnie told PEOPLE in this week's cover story that they have seen a positive change in her condition, though they were unaware of her FTD diagnosis due to the limited contact they have with Williams in the facility. (While staying at the undisclosed location, Williams’ family say they've been unable to contact her due to the guardian's rules, which require Williams to reach out first from a blocked phone number.)
"She sounds really great. To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is, just how focused she is on the importance of family and the reality in terms of facing and understanding where she's at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180," Alex 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," Wanda added, referring to Where Is Wendy Williams?, Lifetime's new documentary filmed between August 2022 and April 2023.
The documentary was set to premiere on Saturday, but following the news of her dementia diagnosis, Williams' court-appointed guardian filed a lawsuit seeking to halt its release.
That effort was denied by an appeals court Friday afternoon, after which the network confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that they plan to move forward with the debut of the documentary.
“Lifetime appeared in court today, and the documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? will air this weekend as planned," the network said.
Where Is Wendy Williams? executive producer Mark Ford previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the guardian initially signed off on the production of the series (on which Williams is also listed as an executive producer).
The docuseries' trailer teased a look inside Williams’ life and health off screen. Many scenes showed her family members confronting Williams over alcohol use.
For Williams, the documentary is a way to share her honest narrative, according to Alex. “She said, now is the perfect time because I want to take ownership of my story,” Alex said on Thursday’s episode of Good Morning America.
First of all, Wendy didn't write that statement. Let me also preface this by saying, I love you Wendy, and I don't want to sound heartless, but your request for personal space and peace has been denied.
On one hand, I'm rooting for the media personality to get better, and continue fighting for her health. However, when you've made your career invading the personal spaces of other celebrities, is it fair to ask for privacy once you've become the hot topic?
Also, if you're being taken advantage of by Wells Fargo and Sabrina the caregiver, why can't your family and Wendynistas be genuinely concerned for your well being?
As a bonus to this story, I wanted to share a clip floating around on social media from Wendy's friend LaShawn Thomas, a lawyer for Miami Entertainment Law, where it appears the former talk-show host is in bed looking healthy and mentally stable.
Sabrina Morrissey was assigned by a judge as Wendy’s temporary guardian in charge of handling the 55-year-old celebrity’s health and financial decisions.
Kevin Jr., along with the rest of Wendy’s family, claimed they were “iced out” and not allowed a say in court.
“I weighed this decision for a very long time. I have kept silent because I have been threatened with physical and financial harm, but I just couldn’t keep silent any longer,” LaShawn shared on the Miami Entertainment Law Instagram account.
“While Wendy was in Miami with her son, I would often witness candid moments of their Mother and Son dynamic. I could tell that he loves his mother so much, and as you can see, the feeling was mutual,” she continued. “You can clearly see the difference between Wendy’s well-being during her time here in Florida with her son caring for her and her lack thereof in New York under this ‘guardianship.'”
“These Wendys are not the same. How did her health deteriorate so quickly, and why isn’t her only child allowed to be by her side?” LaShawn asked. “She wasn’t like that when he cared for her. ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS!”
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