NEW YORK (AP) – Former talk show host Wendy Williams reacts to the revelation that she has been diagnosed with dementia and well-wishers ahead of the airing of a Lifetime documentary about her struggle. I am grateful to you.
“I just want to say that I am extremely grateful for the love and kind words I received after I shared my diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Let me say wow! Your response has been overwhelming. ,'' Williams said in a statement to The Associated Press through a representative from her care team. “The messages shared touched me and reminded me of the power of unity and the need for compassion.”
Williams' statement came a day after her team revealed that the 59-year-old had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
This came hours after a New York judge issued a ruling on Lifetime magazine's “Where's Wendy Williams?” The documentary will air as scheduled this weekend. An order signed by an appellate judge reviewing a petition to block the documentary's release stated that such a ruling would amount to “a prior restraint on impermissible speech in violation of the First Amendment.” ing.
The ruling invalidated Lifetime's plans for a two-night broadcast of “Where's Wendy Williams?” which included footage and interviews with the former talk show host.
An attorney for Williams' guardian did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
“Mr. Lifetime was in court today to screen the documentary 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' which will air as scheduled this weekend,” the network said in a statement.
“I continue to need personal space and peace in order to grow,” Williams said in a statement Friday. “Please know that I deeply appreciate your positive attitude and encouragement.”
After Bruce Willis' diagnosis was announced, she supported the Frontotemporal Degeneration Association and educated the public about the disease, the same type of dementia that Bruce Willis suffers from. He praised the efforts made.
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare disease that affects the parts of the brain that control behavior and language. As the disease worsens, these parts of the brain shrink. The disease often includes primary progressive aphasia, which means it causes problems with language skills. People with this type of FTD may have difficulty finding words or understanding conversations.
Williams' self-titled daytime talk show ended in 2022 due to health issues. Sherri Shepherd, who served as guest host in Williams' place, gave him his own show.
Williams said in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with Graves' disease many years ago. Graves' disease causes overproduction of thyroid hormones, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms that can affect your overall health. A statement Thursday from Williams' care team said Williams' dementia diagnosis was made in 2023.
People magazine reported in its cover story on Williams this week that some family members say they don't know where she is or can't call her, but they can call her.
According to the article, Lifetime's documentary production team, which started in 2022 to document Williams' return, stopped filming in April 2023, when her manager and jeweler Will Selby In the film footage, she says she has “entered a facility to treat cognitive issues.” ” Her son said in the documentary that doctors had linked her cognitive problems to alcohol use, People magazine reported.