Former daytime talk show host Wendy Williams is back after checking into a wellness facility over the summer and is “home and healing,” her publicist Shawn Zanotti said in a statement.
“Wendy is excited about the road ahead and looking forward to releasing her many projects,” he said, adding a sentiment of gratitude from Williams who said “thank you to my fans for your love, support and many prayers. I am back and better than ever.”
The 58-year-old has been open with her substance abuse battles in the past and more recently, she revealed that she suffers from Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones. She also secretly struggled with alcohol addiction, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sources close to Williams revealed that she would stash bottles in various places throughout her studio. And last month, TV Shows Ace reported a sighting of her leaving a liquor store wearing denim cutoff booty shorts.
“She is taking some time to focus on her health and wellness as she prepares for a major comeback for the next level in her career with The Wendy Experience Podcast,” said Shawn Zanotti, a spokesman for Williams, to The Hollywood Reporter. “Ms. Williams is being treated by a team of some of the best doctors in the world. We ask for your prayers and well wishes during this time.”
Issues of Williams’ health began to surface after she passed out live on air during The Wendy Williams Show. After regaining consciousness during a commercial break, she came back on air and told viewers she was “fine.” At the time, she said she passed out from overheating in a Statue of Liberty costume she was wearing for Halloween. Since then, she would occasionally take breaks from the show for health reasons. The show was eventually cancelled in June after 13 seasons on air. Months later, Wells Fargo froze her assets, claiming she was not mentally able to manage her own funds.
“I went through a period of substance abuse. Earlier in my career I was with the cocaine and it was a mess. I was functioning but it was a mess,” she told Dr. Oz in a 2018 interview. “It was 12 years of my life partying hard…I woke up one day and I said no more.”
