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Wendy Williams speaks onstage during her celebration of 10 years of 'The Wendy Williams Show' at The Buckhead Theatre on August 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia© Getty Images

Wendy Williams says 'I feel like I'm in prison' as she speaks out on conservatorship in surprise interview

The former talk show host has retreated from the spotlight since receiving a frontotemporal dementia and aphasia diagnosis

Beatriz Colon
Beatriz Colon - New York
New York WriterNew York
January 16, 2025
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Wendy Williams is speaking out about her recent years under a conservatorship.

This week, the beloved former talk show host resurfaced after years in the spotlight for an appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast.

The appearance comes a year after revealing she had been diagnosed with aphasia frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with, and since reports came out that she was allegedly incapacitated and cognitively impaired. She has been under a court-ordered guardianship since 2022.

WATCH: Wendy Williams' niece breaks silence on dementia diagnosis

Speaking with host Charlamagne tha God over the phone, Wendy maintained: "I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I'm saying?" however she did add: "But I feel like I'm in prison."

Wendy pushed back against the claims that she was incapacitated, telling the radio host, whose real name is Lenard Larry McKelvey: "Do I seem that way, God dammit?" and emphasizing: "Who I naturally am, is who I naturally am, you know what I'm saying?"

Wendy also addressed the Lifetime documentary that explored the past few years of her life, Where is Wendy Williams?, and the lawsuits concerning it.

Wendy Williams sits on the set of her TV show
Wendy hosted her show from 2008 to 2022

After Lifetime released the two-part documentary, Wendy's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, sued them and A&E, claiming it was made without a valid contract, and that Wendy was both vulnerable and exploited.

MORE: Wendy Williams sparkles in silver during rare public appearance after dementia diagnosis

MORE: Wendy Williams' upsetting update revealed by guardian following dementia diagnosis

Lifetime and A&E countersued, arguing she only sued after the fact because of the concerns it raised about the guardianship she manages, and now Wendy herself has spoken out against her guardian.

Wendy Williams attends a private dinner at Fresco By Scotto on February 21, 2023 in New York City© WireImage
The TV star has made very rare public appearances since her conservatorship started

"She was the one who wanted to do that," she first said of Sabrina and the documentary.

MORE: Wendy Williams' $4.5 million NYC apartment sold at a loss amid battle with aphasia and FTD

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Wendy Williams and son, Kevin Hunter Jr. attend the ceremony honoring Wendy Williams with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)© Michael Tran
With her son Kevin in 2019

"What do I think about being abused? Listen, look, this system is broken. This system that I'm in. This system has falsified a lot," Wendy also added.

MORE: Wendy Williams' family breaks silence on dementia diagnosis in heartbreaking new interview

Talk Show Host Wendy Williams gets her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019 © FREDERIC J. BROWN
Wendy in 2019

Hollywood has a dark history of failed conservatorships, including Britney Spears, who was in one for 13 years, Amanda Bynes, who was in one for nearly 9 years, plus The Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson has been under a court-ordered conservatorship since last year.

Wendy's niece Alex also called into the podcast, and though she noted that she has only seen her "in a very limited capacity," she maintained: "I've seen her and we're talking to her. This does not match an incapacitated person. And that's why we say she's in a luxury prison because she is being held, and she is being punished for whatever reason that other people are coming up with as to why she has to be kept in this position."

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