Wendy Williams Documentary Producers Raise Concerns Over Her Guardianship

Producers of the Lifetime documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?" have expressed concern about Wendy Williams' living conditions and care under a conservatorship during the filming of the documentary. Mark Ford and Erica Hanson, executive producers of the documentary, attended an awards consideration panel in Hollywood on May 1, where they shared their concerns about Williams' circumstances.

The controversy surrounding Wendy Williams' guardianship highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in the conservatorship system, which can have far-reaching consequences for vulnerable individuals and their families. It also raises questions about the role of guardians in ensuring the well-being and autonomy of those under their care.

The documentary shows Williams living alone and without food in her refrigerator. Producers were not aware of Williams' frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis during production. Sabrina Morrissey, Williams' legal and financial guardian, did not respond to calls for help, according to the producers.

Morrissey filed a lawsuit on February 20 to block the documentary from being aired, claiming it "shamelessly exploits" Williams and portrays her in a "demeaning and undignified manner." Lifetime responded to Morrissey's allegations, stating that they look forward to the unsealing of their papers, which tell a "very different story."

"I just think in the end, you really see what happens when a guardian has complete control and the family is cut out," said Erica Hanson. Mark Ford added, "The deeper we got into it, we didn't want to let go of Wendy until we got her back in touch with her family."

Why this matters: Williams was placed under a conservatorship in early 2022 after Wells Fargo froze her accounts, citing concerns about her cognitive issues and risk of financial exploitation. The producers sought to get in touch with Williams' loved ones, including her son Kevin Hunter, Jr., who was unaware of her whereabouts and unable to contact her.

"It's a very complicated process for [her family]. But I think you could see in the film, they're a lovely group of people who care about their sister, daughter, mother and want the best for her, and who better to be involved in her care than those people, not a stranger," Ford remarked. The documentary highlights the importance of families being involved in the care of their loved ones under guardianship.

The documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?" sheds light on Williams' "dire" living conditions and raises serious questions about her well-being under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey. As the legal battle over the airing of the documentary continues, the producers hope their film will ultimately help reunite Williams with her family and ensure she receives the care and support she needs.

Key Takeaways

• Producers of the Lifetime documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?" express concern about Wendy Williams' living conditions and care under conservatorship.
• The documentary shows Williams living alone with no food, raising questions about her guardian's role in her well-being.
• Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, filed a lawsuit to block the documentary, claiming it "shamelessly exploits" Williams.
• The producers sought to reunite Williams with her family, who were unaware of her whereabouts and unable to contact her.
• The documentary highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in the conservatorship system.