Wendy Williams, previously a prominent figure on daytime television, is now the centerpiece of a controversial documentary that critics have branded ‘exploitative’. “Where Is Wendy Williams,” an encompassing two-part docuseries by Lifetime, portrays the ex-host as frequently bewildered, even failing to identify her manager at one juncture. This manager is depicted confronting her about discarded alcohol containers found in her home.
Shawn Zanotti, who features in the aforementioned docuseries and became Williams’ publicist in 2021, lambasted the filmmakers responsible in an exclusive dialogue with NBC News. “I perceived Williams being manipulated,” conveyed Zanotti. “She was under the impression we were promoting the revival of her career. I firmly believe she’d be horrified to observe herself presented in such a manner.”
Zanotti maintains that what was broadcasted deviated vastly from the project discussed. “This contravenes the undertaking that Williams acceded to, and strays from the project that the producers portrayed to me,” she expounded. A day prior to the documentary’s unveiling, Williams’ management team issued a public statement detailing her admission into a treatment facility and subsequent diagnosis with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
In a rebuttal during a discourse with TODAY.com, the documentary’s creators insist that they remained ignorant of Williams’ condition throughout production, but conceded that her demeanor varied considerably from day to day. Showrunner Erica Hanson asserted that the team perceived the story as both intricate and sensitive, sparking a commitment to address it with utmost respect and caution. Zanotti remains skeptical of these claims.
Additionally, the producer, Mark Ford, told TODAY.com that Williams consented to the entire filming process. Contrary to this, Zanotti deems the series as nothing more than a spectacle aimed to secure financial gain and high viewer ratings, accusing the series of putting Williams in a poor light. Zanotti also claimed her own misrepresentation in the series and expressed concern over Williams’ wellbeing. She believes the docuseries does not reflect how Williams would want to be remembered.
Speculation about Williams’ health had been rampant since a live on-air fainting incident in 2017. Williams hosted the hugely popular ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ from 2008 to 2021. During its run, she candidly discussed her battles with substance addiction and mental health issues. However, in light of recent events, her professional future remains uncertain as she continues to combat health concerns.
Vocabulary List:
- Exploitative (adjective): Taking advantage of someone or a situation in an unfair or unethical manner.
- Bewildered (adjective): Confused or puzzled.
- Confronting (adjective): Facing or challenging directly.
- Prominent (adjective): Famous or well-knownoften in a position of authority.
- Manipulated (verb): To control or influence someone or something in a clever or unfair way.
- Skeptical (adjective): Doubting or questioning the validity of something.
