Wendy Williams has been dishing the dirt for decades. She got her start in radio and later moved to television; gossiping about the juiciest celebrity hot topics. The Wendy Williams Show lasted 13 seasons and became a highly successful part of daytime television.
However, despite her success, Williams has struggled with drug addition. The former talk show host has been open about her issues in the past, even forming a foundation dedicated to helping others going through their own addiction.
Many of Williams' fans have noticed certain moments on air where her behavior appears to be concerning. One of these incidents took place during an interview with the late Suzanne Somers.
Many Thought Wendy Was Acting Strange During Her Interview With Suzanne Somers
During a 2020 interview with Suzanne Somers, Williams behavior once again caught viewers' attention.
Williams seemed to struggle through the chat and appeared to be slurring her words. While some people found the interview "excruciating" to watch, there were others who believed Williams "did well."
Some speculated that Williams was "high" during the interview.
The Wendy Williams Show ended in 2022 after its 13th season. Williams took an indefinite leave of absence due to various medical issues. Williams was replaced with various guest hosts during the season, one of which was Sherri Shepherd. Shepherd would get her own show, Sherri, to replace Williams' time slot beginning that fall.
Williams told The New York Post that she didn't like the final episode of her show. When the outlet asked her why she didn't make an appearance, she said the production company, Debmar-Mercury, didn't ask her to be there.
"[Debmar-Mercury] didn’t ask me to do that, so I didn’t. I sat in my apartment and I watched it. And [I was] like, 'Eek!'" she said.
Williams also told the outlet that she feels the production company should've done her final episode with her instead of the other guest hosts. She did make an exception for Fat Joe, however, who co-hosted with Remy Ma. Williams said Joe is her "favorite."
Wendy Williams Has Been Open About Her Struggles Behind The Scenes
According to Williams, she was addicted to cocaine for about a decade in the early part of her career. Her struggle with addiction is something Williams has been very open about.
"Drugs were a demon I had to overcome," she told People in 2014.
Williams would go on to create The Hunter Foundation, which helps families combat the cycle of addiction through work with other organizations.
"I was a functioning addict," Williams told Entertainment Tonight in 2018. "I report to work on time, and I’d walk in and all my co-workers, including my bosses, would know but since I would have my headphones on and walk in the studio and [they] wouldn’t fire me because I was making ratings."
After being absent from her show for two months in 2019, Williams revealed on air that she was living in a sober house.
"I have been living in a sober house. … You know I’ve had a struggle with cocaine in the past," she told her audience. "I never went to a place to get treatment … there are people in your family, it might be you … I want you to know more of the story."
According to Williams, only her then-husband Kevin Hunter knew she was receiving treatment.
"Only Kevin knows about this. Not my parents, nobody. Nobody knew because I look so glamorous out here," she said. "I am driven by my 24-hour sober coach back to a home that I live in the tri-state with a bunch of smelly boys who have become my family."
Williams said that at the facility, it's "doors locked by 10 p.m. lights out by 10 p.m., so I go to my room and stare at the ceiling and fall asleep to come here and see you," she added, "So that is my truth."
It Wasn't The First Time Fans Voiced Their Concern For Wendy Williams
In December 2018, Williams generated concern from the many viewers who noticed the host didn't seem to be acting like herself. A lot of people were pointing out the many pauses Williams took, resulting in dead air during the show.
Many also thought she appeared uncomfortable and struggled through her interview with The Lox.
"Our first guest are an iconic hip hip – are an iconic hip hop trio," Williams said as she waved her hand and chuckled while trying to introduce the group.
Others said that Williams appeared to lose her train of thought, slur her words, and even seemed confused at times.
Williams has previously revealed she suffers from a thyroid condition called Graves’ Disease. Some wondered if there was another undisclosed health-related issue she was dealing with.
Someone wrote on social media, "I hope she’s ok. She really acting weird."
Another wrote, "@WendyWilliams Ur fans are worried about u sis! U ok? Prayers #WendyWilliamsShow."
Williams's Instagram was later updated with a statement from the host. She explained that her behavior was due to pain medication she took before filming.
"I sincerely apologize if you feel that today's show was less than stellar," she wrote. "I’m on your TV screens every day wanting to spread laughter, entertainment and cheer. As I reported earlier in the week, I have a hairline fracture on my upper arm, which hurts like hell. I’ve never broken a bone or experienced a fracture in my life. In the key place where the fracture is, and trying to scurry around and do too much, I am now paying the price. I've never taken a pain medication in my life (except when I got snatched over 20 years ago) until this week. I did that to power through and try to deliver a great show for you, against the better judgment of the many people around me who genuinely care for my well-being."
