00:00Wendy Williams has revealed she's been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal
00:05dementia. This news comes two days ahead of the release of what is promised to be a revealing
00:09Lifetime docuseries centered on the former talk show host. A press release sent out Thursday
00:14claiming to be on behalf of Williams and her care team said that she received her diagnosis in 2023
00:19after undergoing a battery of medical tests. Aphasia is a condition that affects the ability
00:23to understand or express speech, while frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is a progressive
00:29disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions. According to the statement in the press release,
00:33aphasia and FTD have, quote, already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life.
00:38The statement was sent out one day after a People magazine cover story revealed that Williams is
00:42currently living inside a facility under the financial control of a court-appointed guardian,
00:47as her family has been essentially shut out of her life. Her sister Wanda Williams and niece Alex
00:51Finney shared that they cannot reach Williams directly. The Hollywood Reporter has learned she
00:55is only reachable by her guardian, whose identity is not revealed in the upcoming Lifetime doc.
01:00Following the press release about Williams' diagnosis, Lifetime told THR that Williams' family
01:04had no comment and that they were not aware of the origins of the statement or that it was being
01:08released on Thursday. On February 24th, Lifetime is set to debut Where is Wendy Williams,
01:14a two-night docuseries that began filming Williams following the June 2022 cancellation of her hit
01:19daytime talk show. They stopped filming her when she checked into the facility in April 2023.
01:23Williams had been remarkably candid as she struggled with her health and addiction over
01:27the years, but her condition in the final days of her talk show and after remained a mystery.
01:32In the docuseries, her manager Will Selby says that she has cognitive issues,
01:36while her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., says doctors told him she was suffering from alcohol-induced
01:40dementia. The statement in the press release concluded by saying, quote,
01:44Wendy is still able to do many things for herself, but most importantly, she maintains her trademark
01:48sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her
01:53needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.
01:58For much more on this story and the latest updates, go to THR.com. This is The Hollywood Reporter News.
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