When it comes down to it, Wendy Williams is arguably one of the most controversial hosts to ever enjoy daytime television. With a media career spanning over 30 years, the New Jersey native has made a name for himself by being what some would call a ‘shock jockette’.
In addition to bringing in legendary interviews with stars like Whitney Houston and Omarosa, the host’s candid nature of questions has made her a staple like no other.
Williams first stepped onto the radio scene by hosting her own show in the Virgin Islands and within less than a year she earned a position at a Washington-based radio station, WOL. She then went on to work at WEPN, Hot 97, and the Philly-based urban station Power 99FM before moving into hosting. The Wendy Williams Experience at WBLS. From there, the host was able to start a successful run on her own daytime TV show from 2008 onwards.
Known for her love and discussion of celebrities during her “Hot Topics” segment, Williams found herself a hot topic when she divorced her 22-year-old husband in 2019 on allegations of infidelity. True to her “tell-like-it-is” character, Williams did not hesitate to discuss the sordid details of her life for her lifelong biopic Wendy Williams: The Movie and subsequent documentary, Wendy Williams: What A Mess. Here are eight things we learned.
01
She struggled with weight issues, including bulimia, during adolescence
In the film, we see Wendy’s parents berating her about her height, with her father even saying she would be beautiful if she just “lost some weight”. In the documentary, her brother Tommy tells the story of walking into Wendy while she was having an episode of bulimia. Williams herself admits she was able to overcome the condition when she read a tabloid about the practice of rotting a star’s teeth.
02
She was raped by one of her first radio show guests
During one of her first radio shows, Williams interviewed an unnamed famous singer who invited her to a night out. Once they got to his hotel room, he forced himself on her despite her protests, then told her that “she could leave”. In the documentary, Williams refers to the possible disclosure of this identity by asking, “Should I say who he is?” She ultimately decides not to disclose. However, she does say he was a “one-hit wonder”.
03
She worked at Hot 97 for two years before being fired
Williams joined Urban Contemporary Station in 1996 and appeared to be making waves before being unceremoniously fired just two years later, in 1998. The talk show host reveals in the documentary that she believes a female manager was to blame, and because “ she wasn’t tanned, [then that was probably my fault too]. ”
04
She was in a relationship with Eric B.
In the film, Williams explains that she met rapper Eric B. when he and Rakim came to 98.7 KISS FM to promote their latest single in 1991. The relationship turns out to be tumultuous and ends when he “destroys her credit,” leading to an injunction. for not returning a rented car. Wendy also reveals that she found out she was pregnant after she and Rakim broke up and had an abortion. She also mentions that she did not tell him or anyone.
05
She was married once before Kevin Hunter
Williams calls it a “ starter marriage ” and says it’s not even worth talking about. The marriage only lasted five months, and she calls it a rebound.
06
She recorded a show pilot with Mo’Nique
The movie glosses over this fun fact pretty quickly, and Kevin Hunter only mentions it to refer to the earlier pilots Williams taped who just “weren’t good enough for her.” She had her own syndicated show in 2008, of course.
07
She had two miscarriages before Kevin Jr. was born
Just as Williams was forthright with her guests and their gossip, she also showed the same vulnerability when it came to her fertility struggles. She had two miscarriages, both ending around or around five months, and shared the experiences with her listeners at the time. The couple then successfully welcomed son Kevin Hunter Jr. in 2000.
08
She went against her wishes on a sober living program
In 2018, the host addressed her live and home audiences on her talk show when she revealed she had lived in a sober home and rehab center. In the film, it is revealed that Hunter arranged for Williams to live there after the host passed out in mid-air (it was later revealed that it was related to her diagnosis of Graves’ disease). She was able to free herself by escaping her assigned coaches one day on the way back to the facility.
Edit 8 things we learned about Wendy Williams from her lifelong biopic and documentary