Wendy Williams’ guardian slammed in A&E Networks lawsuit amid claim dementia-stricken host is ‘incapacitated’
As a seasoned journalist with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that this story of Wendy Williams leaves me feeling quite troubled. It seems to me that the once-beloved talk show host is being subjected to a modern-day exploitation, albeit in a more subtle and insidious manner than the old Hollywood studios used to do.
In a recently filed lawsuit by A&E Networks, Wendy Williams’ guardian is being accused of overstepping boundaries by attempting to modify and censor a documentary about the ex-talk show host. This action comes after it was disclosed that Williams has been severely affected by her struggle with dementia, leaving her permanently incapacitated.
The American multinational broadcasting company has responded by filing a counter-lawsuit against Sabrina Morrissey, who is seeking to halt the airing of the documentary titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?” that they aired in February, as reported by TMZ on Wednesday.
In essence, A&E argues that Sabrina is overstepping her bounds by attempting to alter and censor portions of the documentary, as Wendy had previously agreed to the terms of a talent contract while she was deemed mentally competent, according to her appointed guardian.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Wendy and has yet to hear back.
According to the widely recognized network, it’s legal to create a documentary about a topic related to dementia without signing a talent agreement. In other words, if no contract was in place, their actions would not be viewed as incorrect or improper.
The media firm has decided to take legal action against Sabrina, claiming that her actions potentially violate A&E’s freedom of speech protections under the First Amendment. This is based on an earlier lawsuit filed by Sabrina in February, where she sought a judge’s intervention to prevent the original documentary from being released.
As a devoted follower, I’d rephrase it like this: In the face of baseless allegations made in the documentary, I stand by Sabrina and her team as they vigorously defend themselves against these unfounded claims, as stated by A&E.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: In response to the countersuit, A&E alleges that Sabrina is attempting to thwart Wendy’s final opportunity for self-expression – a chance to connect with her audience in the raw and candid manner that defined her career.
This statement arises following Sabrina’s assertion that Wendy is now ‘irreversibly impaired’ due to her struggle with dementia. Her guardian made this claim in a recent dispute regarding the production of Wendy’s upcoming tell-all documentary.
In May 2023, it was determined that Host Williams was suffering from aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. This diagnosis followed a court order established a year prior, which appointed a legal guardian to manage both her financial and medical affairs.
The television program “Where Is Wendy Williams?” (broadcasted in February) was intended to delve into Wendy Williams’ life as she geared up for a new podcast, but it stirred controversy by displaying surprising footage of the ex-host drinking vodka in bed and experiencing panic attacks. This portrayal sparked negative reactions from fans towards Lifetime.
Currently, Sabrina Morrissey, who serves as her guardian, finds herself embroiled in a legal dispute with the broadcasting company regarding the documentary in question.
According to documents acquired by The US Sun, Morrissey’s legal team described Williams as a renowned performer who, unfortunately, has developed early-onset dementia. This condition has led to cognitive decline and permanent incapacity in Williams.
In January 2022, due to repeated concerning incidents regarding Wendy’s wellbeing and finances that had come to their attention, Wells Fargo chose to act independently by starting a legal process called a guardianship proceeding in the Supreme Court of New York, New York County (the ‘Guardianship Proceeding’). Their aim was to have a neutral guardian appointed for Wendy’s financial matters.
The filing further asks for parts of the case about Williams’ ‘health, familial relationships, and finances” to be redacted to protect her privacy.
As a deeply devoted admirer, I humbly petition the Honorable Court to kindly consider and honorably grant my plea for the discretionary redaction of confidential details from the Guardianship Proceeding. This information, previously sealed by the presiding court, needs protection to ensure privacy and maintain confidentiality – a matter of great importance to me as a concerned fan.
2022 saw New York attorney Morrissey appointed as her legal guardian following the freezing of her bank accounts by Wells Fargo. This action was taken due to her previous financial advisor asserting that she was mentally incapable of managing her affairs at the time.
Back in March, it became known that Wendy Williams was rumored to have received a payment of $100,000 for each episode she took part in for the four-part series called “Where Is Wendy Williams?
Simultaneously, it came to light that the legal representative of Wendy had initiated a lawsuit against the proprietor of Lifetime, A&E Television Networks, accusing them of exploitative practices in an appalling manner, allegedly.
Last month, Sabrina, who serves as a guardian, secretly submitted a lawsuit with confidential information. However, this sealed document was later disclosed and scrutinized by The Hollywood Reporter, exposing shocking allegations within the case.
The legal team representing Williams’ guardian stated in court that it’s appalling to see such ruthless abuse of a woman with a grave health issue who is deeply adored by countless people within and beyond the African American community, and it must not be tolerated.
According to THR, Sabrina stated in court that the talk show host was unable to provide consent, and the producers did not obtain consent from her legal guardian before creating the content.
In the lawsuit, it’s mentioned that producers deceived Williams into believing the documentary was a favorable and advantageous endeavor to enhance her public persona and standing.
Williams’ publicist has similarly criticized the Lifetime documentary that she agreed to participate in. Shawn Zanotti pointed fingers at the producers of the series, stating that the TV legend assumed they were making a show about her comeback, but instead, it depicted ‘a spectacle leading to her fall.’
Speaking with NBC News, Zanotti – who’s been employed as a publicist at Williams since 2021 – expressed her concerns regarding the production process behind the recently aired four-part documentary, “Where is Wendy Williams?” on Lifetime.
In an interview with the outlet, Zanotti claimed: ‘I felt that [Williams] was being exploited.’
It seemed she believed our attention was centered around the resurgence of her professional life. Oh, how embarrassed she’d be! I can hardly fathom she’d find it acceptable to view herself in such a manner.
She also told PEOPLE that she felt ‘lied to’ about it.
Although I had previously suggested that Wendy should participate in the show, Zanotti now expresses regret, stating: “I would never allow Wendy to risk her reputation and brand in such a manner. She’s an icon. This isn’t the narrative we agreed upon, and I feel deceived.
Adding: ‘It’s so difficult for me to even watch. Wendy would be mortified.’
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2024-11-27 20:49