Ultimately, Wendy Williams is arguably one of the most controversial presenters who has appeared on television during the day. With a media career of more than 30 years, the New Jersey native has made a name for herself for being what some would proclaim a “shock vest”.
In addition to getting legendary interviews with stars like Whitney Houston and Omarosa, the hostess’ sincere questioning nature has made her a staple like no other.
Williams first entered the radio scene presenting his own program in the Virgin Islands and, in less than a year, won a position at a Washington-based radio station, WOL. She then started working at WEPN, Hot 97 and Philly-based Power 99FM urban station before settling in as a host. The Wendy Williams experience at the WBLS. From there, the presenter was able to start a successful season on her own daytime television program, starting in 2008.
Known for her love and celebrity discussion during her “Hot Topics” segment, Williams found herself a hot topic when she divorced her 22-year-old husband due to allegations of infidelity in 2019. Faithful to her “speak as is” character, Williams couldn’t help himself when it came to discussing the sordid details of his life in his biographical film Lifetime Wendy Williams: The Movie and his subsequent documentary, Wendy Williams: What a mess. Here are eight things we learned.
01
She struggled with weight problems, including bulimia, during her teens
In the film, Wendy’s parents are seen scolding her for her size, with her father even saying that she would look beautiful if she just “lost some weight”. In the documentary, his brother Tommy tells the story of when he met Wendy while she was having an episode of bulimia. Williams herself admits that she was able to overcome the disorder when she read a tabloid about the practice of rotting a star’s teeth.
02
She was raped by one of her first radio show guests
During one of his first radio shows, Williams interviewed a famous unidentified singer who invited her out for a night. As soon as they got to her hotel room, he forced her, despite her protests, and then started telling her that “she could go.” In the documentary, Williams suggests a possible disclosure of that identity, asking “Should I say who he is?” She finally decides not to disclose. However, she says he was a “one stroke wonder”.
03
She worked at Hot 97 for two years before being fired
Williams joined the contemporary urban station in 1996 and seemed to have stirred before being unceremoniously fired just two years later, in 1998. The talk show host in the documentary reveals that she believes an executive was to blame, and because “she didn’t bite his nose, [then that was probably my fault too]. ”
04
She was in a relationship with Eric B.
In the film, Williams explains that he met rapper Eric B. when he and Rakim arrived at 98.7 KISS FM to promote their last single in 1991. The relationship is in turmoil and ends when he “destroys her credit”, which leads to a sent for not returning a rental car. Wendy also reveals that she found out she was pregnant after she and Rakim broke up and had an abortion. She also mentions that she didn’t tell him, or anyone else.
05
She was married once before Kevin Hunter
Williams calls it an “initial wedding” and says it’s not even worth talking about. The marriage lasted only five months, and she refers to it as a recovery.
06
She recorded a program pilot with Mo’Nique
The film quickly covers up this fun fact, and Kevin Hunter only mentions this to allude to previous pilots that Williams recorded that simply “was not good enough for her”. She, of course, got her own syndicated program in 2008.
07
She had two miscarriages before Kevin Jr. was born
Just as Williams was candid with his guests and their gossip, she also showed the same vulnerability when it came to her struggles for fertility. She had two miscarriages, both apparently ending in or around five months, and shared the experiences with her listeners at the time. The couple then welcomed their son Kevin Hunter Jr. in 2000.
08
She entered a program of sober living against her wishes
In 2018, the presenter addressed her audience live and at home during her talk show, when she revealed that she was living in a sober house and in a rehabilitation center. In the film, it is revealed that Hunter arranged for Williams to live there after the host passed out in the air (later revealed to be related to the diagnosis of Graves’ disease). She managed to break free by escaping from her assigned trainers one day on the way back to the facility.
To edit 8 things we learned about Wendy Williams in her bio and documentary film