Wendy Williams fans have shared their concerns after watching the first episode of the new Lifetime docuseries on the media personality.
Earlier this month (February 22), it was revealed that the media personality was diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. Over the past few years, the New Jersey native had been struggling with deteriorating mental health, poor memory, the inability to communicate and alcoholism.
Fans have been debating on social media as to whether or not the series — which includes scenes from some difficult moments in Williams’ day-to-day life —should exist in the first place.
One user wrote: “There shouldn’t be any cameras in front of her at this state[.] All she needs is family, care , support and healing. This woman has been through a lot and is still going through it, Losing her Mom[,] Her marriage ending[,] And her health struggles[heartbroken emoji]”
Another user included a scene from the show in their commentary, writing: “I thought this #Lifetime docuseries was bout her making a comeback? A highlight reel of her legacy? A step back into that fun/messy host – instead Wendy’s on repeat, completely inebriated & deteriorating before our eyes? Something’s not right bout this show #WhereIsWendyWilliams”
Another user added: ” To be completely truthful, the #WhereIsWendyWilliams documentary should have never happened. I looks like just another way to make money off her. Why are we being shown this woman at her lowest? Why?”
A fourth commenter was even more emphatic, calling for retribution towards whoever greenlit the show.
“I want to know who signed off on this documentary, and who is making money from it. That person needs to get dragged to the pits of hell. #WhereIsWendyWilliams,” they wrote.
I thought this #Lifetime docuseries was bout her making a comeback? A highlight reel of her legacy? A step back into that fun/messy host – instead Wendy’s on repeat, completely inebriated & deteriorating before our eyes? Something’s not right bout this show #WhereIsWendyWilliams pic.twitter.com/nfkZIF0CnV
— Thee Annointed Mr. Trigger Baddie (@FckRndNFoundOut) February 25, 2024
In a post on The Shade Room, fans reacted to a number of scenes from the show, titled Where Is Wendy Williams?
One user wrote: “I know that we don’t know Wendy. But to know Wendy, is to know that she wouldn’t want us to see her like this.. #WhereIsWendyWilliams”
Prior to the release of the film, PEOPLE got in touch with members of her family — sister Wanda Finnie and niece Alex Finnie — to discuss her current state in an article that was published shortly before the series aired.
“I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me. She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment,” Wanda said about her sibling, whose court-appointed legal guardian is now in charge or her financial and medical decisions.
“We cannot reach out to her, but she can reach out to us. And she is in a healing place emotionally. She’s not the person that you see in this film.”
Alex said: “I’m proud of my aunt for taking control of her narrative because my aunt has always been such a public person and has been an open book, and we’ve all seen the images over the last few months and really few years of what has been like a spiral for my aunt.