My Roman Empire is Wendy Williams, sincerely. Ever since I stumbled upon my first “Wendy Williams Being Iconic for 10 Minutes” compilation video in middle school, I was hooked. If there’s anything to say about Williams, it’s that she is a woman who can clock tea and make a moment happen like no other. I still quote “Um… okay, James— ” and “Dula Peep!” daily. And I’m sure that even if you’re unfamiliar with Williams, you’ve heard her audio clips as a viral sound on TikTok. She’s an icon, and she is the moment!
That’s why when I saw Williams in her current state, I was shocked. Strangely, I found myself feeling distraught over a woman I’d never even met and only perceived through her viral internet memes.
In case you haven’t seen her latest documentary, Where is Wendy Williams?, Williams was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia​ and frontotemporal dementia in 2023. This diagnosis came about two years after she had to take a leave of absence from her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, for various health issues. Now, Williams has a court-appointed legal guardian who manages her finances and her health to keep her from being exploited due to her cognitive issues.
Online, users have been commenting on Williams’ guardianship situation and even comparing it to Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Overall, there seems to be an agreement on social media platforms that Williams is not “herself” anymore and that her life has changed drastically since her initial health issues in 2021.
I agree. Seeing the difference in Williams from recent clips of her on social media has hit me very hard. It’s both saddening and terrifying to see how she’s changed from the quippy talk show host that she was to a shadow of her former self. Users on Twitter have shared the same sentiments, worrying about how diminished she’s become.
The situation has hit me particularly hard because my own family has a history of Alzheimer’s disease. Watching the people you love slowly fade away as they fight against an incurable disease is an experience I wish on no one, so my heart breaks for all of Williams’ loved ones who have watched her health deteriorate over the past couple of years.
I think I’m so affected because Williams was somewhat of an icon for me growing up as a girl in the 21st century. This is in no way meant to excuse the controversies that Williams has had throughout her career, but rather to acknowledge the complex impact that being in the public eye has on people — especially women.
Her show, because of her personality, couldn’t help but stand out against the rest of the mainstream female talk show hosts. Her show wasn’t Oprah. Williams built her career on saying things other people wouldn’t say. She wasn’t afraid to cover the “silly” topics, like celebrity gossip or scathing slander towards the Spears family. As a certified chismosa, watching her discuss the “hot topics” like how I would gossip about the tabloids with my mom was quality content that made me feel connected and included in a shared female experience.
It was as if Williams was the cool, outspoken auntie I never had, inviting me into her opinions of glitz, glam, and the sometimes grim realities of fame. Her ability to weave these narratives with a sense of authenticity and relatability made her more than just a talk show host. She became a cultural commentator who bridged the gap between celebrity and the everyday person. Her show became a space where laughter, empathy, and disbelief coexisted, reminding us that women can have a platform to speak their truth and apologize for the messiness later!
But possibly my favorite part about Williams was that she was much different than a personality like Ellen DeGeneres, where you felt very much separated from the celebrity of the week she interviewed on her white couches. Williams actively incorporated her live audience into her show, even calling them her “co-hosts,” and most of the viral memes we have of her get their comedic energy from the people in the crowd!
In a world where celebrities are starting to feel so distant and unrelatable, I’m reminded of The Wendy Williams Show and how she felt like a woman engaging in the news with us, not for us. Her ability to draw laughter, shock, or even agreement from her audience with just a glance or a witty remark was unparalleled. Williams’ interactions with her audience were not just for show, of course, but were an integral part of her brand.
I have to compliment how she knew that the stories and topics she discussed were not just about the celebrities involved but about the collective experience of her audience. Her skill in navigating these conversations made her show a platform for dialogue, rather than a one-sided presentation.
This sense of inclusion was a breath of fresh air, broke down the barriers between the stage and the audience, and created an environment that felt more like a communal space than a television set. I’ve yet to see a talk show that’s done the same and, with audiences continuing to comment on the “alienness” of modern celebrities, perhaps that’s more important now than ever.
So, I hope that Williams’ wildly meme-ed legacy continues to live on. To me, her virality is a testament to her legacy that even as the landscape of television changes, the moments created on her show continue to resonate and bring people together, proving that Wendy Williams didn’t just report on the culture — she was a vital part of it.
As we reflect on the mark Wendy Williams left on entertainment and culture, we should be reminded of the power of connection, resilience, and authenticity — leaving us to wonder, in true Williams fashion, “How you doin’?” in a world that keeps changing.
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