Wendy Williams, the former queen of daytime talk, will make her first national television appearance in years this Friday, March 14, on The View.
The interview comes amid a turbulent legal and health journey that has kept the iconic host out of the spotlight since her show’s abrupt cancellation in 2022.
Wendy Williams, 60, will join The View alongside Ginalisa Monterroso, founder of the Connect Care Advisory Group, an organization advocating for improved guardianship oversight. Suzanne Bass, Williams’ longtime executive producer from The Wendy Williams Show, promoted the appearance, teasing the segment on Instagram with a rallying cry: “Prepping a very special friend for her appearance @theviewabc to air this Friday. #freewendy.”
The hashtag #freewendy has become a mantra for supporters challenging her court-appointed guardianship, which began in 2022 after Wells Fargo alleged she was a victim of “financial exploitation” and a New York judge deemed her “incapacitated.” Since then, a legal guardian has controlled her finances and medical decisions, an arrangement Williams has publicly contested.
In 2024, Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia, conditions impacting communication and cognitive function. Her guardian later doubled down in November 2024, declaring her “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated.” But in a January 2025 interview, Williams pushed back fiercely, saying she’s not cognitively impaired.
Also, Wendy has recently tried to communicate by phone from her assisted living facility, where she has been placed in a restrictive memory unit that offers her limited privileges and minimal freedom of movement.
However, last month, she experienced a rare chance for some fresh air when her guardianship and the facility permitted her to travel to Miami to celebrate her father’s 94th birthday for a short period.
While Wendy is set to return to television, it’s uncertain whether fans will witness her live, as ABC’s statement suggests she will participate in a phone interview with the hosts of The View, which consists of Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
Wendy Williams’ situation has brought renewed attention to legal guardianships, which opponents contend may take away individuals’ rights. Organizations such as Connect Care Advisory, with Monterroso as a representative, have pointed out systemic issues, urging for reforms to safeguard at-risk adults from possible exploitation.
