Wendy Williams is known for her vibrant personality and catchphrase “How You Doin?” while greeting guests and audience members on her daytime television show. However, the talk show host has struggled with her health recently, according to inside sources.
Though she hasn’t returned to The Wendy Williams Show, the 57-year-old has battled many health issues, prompting producers to use celebrity guest-hosts to fill her absence. Sources close to Williams say the wittiness she displayed on television for years is slowly fading, The Sun reported.
“The spark is gone. That Wendy, who for ten years had that spark in her eyes, that cheeky grin and that little wink is not the same now.”
Her mood reportedly changes from day to day, the insider said. One day she’s feeling upbeat, showing signs of improvement, while other days are difficult for her.
“She’s not always functioning like she used to be,” the source explained. “She has days where she needs help eating, getting out of bed, and getting dressed.”
“Sometimes she goes out in a robe and without shoes on- the old Wendy would never have allowed herself to be seen out like that.”
Additionally, insiders said Williams has difficulties recognizing people who have been notable figures in her life.
“There are people who Wendy knows—who have worked closely with her—and there are days that she has no idea who they are,” the source said.
Frequent bursts of memory loss are nothing new, insiders say. “She was forgetting things on the show a lot—information on stories, celebrities’ names. That’s why she would lean on producers, to help feed her information,” the insider said.
While fans have questioned when Williams would return to television, insiders say they don’t expect visual updates from her anytime soon.
“She really can’t do a video. She’s been having a hard time holding a conversation.”
Last week, there were claims that Williams relapsed and started drinking again. After acting strangely on a recent Zoom call, her manager and others did a wellness check at her home. The Sun reported that Williams was allegedly intoxicated, belligerent, stripped naked, and began touching herself inappropriately.
